Halle Berry MasterClass Review: The Magic of Menopause

Menopause is not an openly discussed topic because of the stigma surrounding it. That is why The Magic of Menopause series is helpful. The experts delve into menopause, the symptoms, and ways to tackle them in this MasterClass series.

But, does it leave us better informed than before? Is it a unique class? How exactly does it benefit us? And most importantly, is it worth spending 1 hour and 33 minutes of your valuable time? Read on to find out.

If you require a thorough understanding of the platform, I recommend reading my complete Masterclass review.

Quick Summary: Halle Berry MasterClass Review

Criteria	Rating
Content Quality	3.8/5
Engagement Level	3.4/5
Instructor Expertise	4.3/5
Practicality	4.0/5
Value for Money	3.5/5
Community & Support	3.0/5
Overall Rating	3.6/5

Who is Halle Berry & Why Should You Learn From Her?

Halle Berry is an Oscar-winning actress known for films like Monster’s Ball, Boomerang, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, and my favorite, X-Men (Storm is pretty cool, huh?). She is also a great activist and her advocation for more research on menopause has made it possible to bring a sense of normalcy to discussing the phenomenon.

Why should you watch her series though? Firstly, she has gone through menopause and knows the challenges it brings. Second, there aren’t many classes discussing this ‘second part’ of life. Lastly, we hear from various leading health experts in this series, meaning the information you get is trustworthy. Bear in mind that the content is only for informational purposes and doesn’t equate to medical advice.  

Who is this Class for?

Are you someone wanting to know more about menopause? If so, this series is for you. It doesn’t matter whether you are going through it, preparing yourself for it, or arming yourself with information to help someone through it. It’s also a great resource for debunking myths about menopause and what it entails. 

Pros and Cons

Though the series is commendable for its efforts to make information on menopause more accessible and shred the cloak of shame shrouding it, it has some flaws, too. Let’s see what the best and worst things about this series are.

What You’ll Learn

The Halle Berry MasterClass trailer is pretty clear on what should be expected from the series. You get the sense right away that the experts – Dr. Judith Joseph, Dr. Emily Jacobs, Dr. Lori Brotto, and Dr. Jen Gunter – won’t shy away from discussing Menopause and ways to deal with the symptoms.  Let’s see what they have to say in a little more detail.

The first thing they firmly assert is that Menopause is neither a disease nor a disorder. It is a natural state. So many women feel that menopause indicates that they are old, but that is not the case. The experts explain the stages of menopause and how the premenopause stage can start around when women turn 41.

It is nothing but the change in the signals estrogen and progesterone send to the brain. Of course, the experience varies for every woman. Hearing this is highly helpful for those at a loss to explain what is going on with their body.

What was horrifying to hear was that the symptoms could mimic that of anxiety, depression, or even dementia. So, how do you differentiate whether it’s a mental health issue or simply caused by menopause? Fortunately, we get to learn about the 3 Ps method, which is somewhat reassuring.

The experts also take turns explaining the common symptoms like disrupted sleep, brain fog, hot flashes, mood changes, etc. These are grouped under the TIES method. You can also use the  Biopsychosocial model. Knowing and understanding the symptoms helps manage them to a great extent. The experts provide further tips to deal with the symptoms and explain why keeping a symptom tracker is a good idea.

A major chunk of the series is dedicated to Hormone Replacement Therapy and explaining how the risks pertaining to the therapy were overblown, resulting in panic and fear. However, if for some reason you don’t want hormone therapy, alternative non-hormonal options are available. They are discussed in the series, too. I found the concept of the Worry Journal intriguing.

The experts also help us understand how menopause can affect intimacy, desire, and libido. Moving on, we learn why it causes weight gain and how to deal with belly fat. I learned how important resistance training (exercises for strengthening skeletal muscles) is for preventing or, at least, delaying osteoporosis (bone fragility). Another interesting thing is that we can use cognitive behavioral therapy to manage menopausal symptoms. Metacognitive Therapy a form of CBT is also especially effective.

As the series proceeds, the myths regarding menopause are debunked, and the stigma associated with the phenomenon is also discussed. After all, men go through andropause. No one thinks it is a shameful disorder. However, I feel that the series is a bit too hard on society. It implies that society made women feel ashamed of this condition and made it impossible for them to discuss it. Though I don’t deny that it’s partly the reason, I do not support the claim it is the major reason. And, before you call me a misogynist, I am a woman; food for thought.

Finally, we learn the difference between compound hormones and FDA-approved drugs created by pharmaceutical companies. The gist? Stay away from non-regulated drugs. The series also suggests an excellent platform for finding certified practitioners and getting personalized care – the Menopause Society (www.menopause.org). You can also join Respin to share your experiences with the community. The series ends with the message that menopause is a transition to freedom.  

Halle Berry MasterClass Cost

Though the series isn’t available for individual purchase, you can opt for one of the MasterClass subscription plans to access all the classes on the platform. The Standard plan costing $120 per year is a great option if you don’t require the offline viewing option. Choose the Plus plan ($180/year) if you need it or the Premium plan ($240/year) that allows you to use 6 devices simultaneously using the same account.

What Others Say About Halle Berry MasterClass

I also researched about what others are saying about this class and this is what i found.

People appreciate the authenticity Halle brings to the series by sharing her experiences. They also love the insights the experts provide without seeming like stuck-up know-it-alls. Overall, they find the series empowering and informative, as they have found the confidence necessary to navigate menopause by watching it.

Final Verdict: Is Halle Berry MasterClass Worth It?

The Halle Berry Menopause MasterClass is excellent for understanding menopause, the struggles that come with it, and the hormonal and non-hormonal treatments available. However, it doesn’t provide in-depth knowledge. Rather the focus is on empowering women by raising awareness of menopause since there is very little information available on it.

FAQs

1. Is Halle Berry MasterClass free?
No class on MasterClass is free. You can watch the sample lesson or the class trailer to gauge whether the class meets your expectations and subscribe if it does. Pick one among the Standard, Plus, and Premium plans based on your budget and requirements.  

2. Can I download Halle Berry MasterClass?
You can download it for offline viewing only if you have subscribed to the Plus or the Premium membership plan. You will lose access to the downloaded content once the subscription ends.

3. Can I get a refund on MasterClass?
The MasterClass refund policy is lenient. You can request a refund within 30 days of subscribing. However, automatic subscription renewals at the end of each year aren’t refundable. So, don’t forget to cancel your subscription if you don’t want to be charged for the next cycle.