In a culture that loves to pretend women stop existing after 40, Naomi Watts’ “Dare I Say It” arrives like a refreshing gust of honesty in a room full of whispers. Part memoir, part medical resource, and entirely unapologetic, Watts’ book tackles the once-taboo topic of menopause with the perfect blend of vulnerability, humor, and practical information that women desperately need.
At 36, Watts—fresh off filming “King Kong”—discovered she was approaching early menopause while struggling to conceive. This dual revelation sparked a journey through shame, confusion, and eventually advocacy that culminates in this remarkable book. What makes “Dare I Say It” stand out is Watts’ willingness to share deeply personal experiences—from frantically scratching hormone patches off before sex with her now-husband to the humiliating quest to find relief from recurring UTIs with dismissive doctors—all while maintaining the wry humor that helps women survive these challenges.
Strengths: Where “Dare I Say It” Truly Shines
Watts excels at creating what feels like an intimate conversation between friends. Her tone is confessional, often hilarious, and refreshingly blunt. When describing a medication mishap, she writes: “I took an Ambien my first night at the hotel to ensure I’d get eight hours of sleep in order to look half-decent for the event. The next day, I woke to find that I had eaten the entire contents of the minibar. I had no memory of eating anything, but there was plenty of evidence that I had.”
The book’s greatest strength lies in how effectively Watts integrates personal anecdotes with expert information. Each chapter combines her experiences with insights from specialists including gynecologists, neuroscientists, nutritionists, and mental health professionals. This approach creates a comprehensive resource without feeling like a dry medical text.
Her exploration of hormone therapy (HRT) is particularly valuable. Watts methodically unpacks the controversial Women’s Health Initiative study that scared millions away from HRT, carefully explaining how the findings were misinterpreted and sensationalized. As she puts it: “Instead of ‘There’s no evidence yet that older, postmenopausal women should take HRT in order to prevent heart disease,’ the message became ‘HRT causes breast cancer! Every single woman on earth should throw away her pills immediately!'”
A Roadmap Through the Midlife Wilderness
The book is structured as a journey through all aspects of menopause—from physical symptoms to emotional challenges and lifestyle adjustments. Watts covers:
- Physical symptoms beyond hot flashes, including UTIs, GI issues, migraines, and “frozen shoulder”
- Fertility and motherhood in perimenopause
- Sexual health and intimacy challenges
- Body image and aging in an appearance-obsessed culture
- Mental health including anxiety, depression, and “brain fog”
- Treatment options with a thorough analysis of hormone therapy
- Nutrition and exercise approaches for the menopausal body
- Career and relationship dynamics in midlife
Particularly noteworthy is the chapter “Tell Me Again,” where Watts addresses the frightening cognitive symptoms many women experience. She describes forgetting her bike’s location and worrying she was losing her mind, then consults with neuroscientist Dr. Lisa Mosconi about the connection between estrogen decline and brain function. This combination of personal vulnerability and expert knowledge makes complex medical information accessible and immediately relevant.
Room for Improvement: Where the Book Falls Short
Despite its many strengths, “Dare I Say It” occasionally stumbles. The book’s perspective is undeniably privileged—Watts is a wealthy, white actress with access to top specialists and resources most women can only dream of. While she acknowledges this privilege in places, the book would benefit from more diverse voices and experiences.
Some sections feel like they’re trying to cover too much ground too quickly. The nutrition chapter, for instance, jumps between several dietary approaches without providing enough depth on any of them. Similarly, the extensive expert quotes sometimes interrupt the flow of Watts’ engaging personal narrative.
For a book focused on breaking taboos, “Dare I Say It” occasionally reinforces certain conventional beauty standards. Watts’ discussions about cosmetic interventions, while honest, could have more thoroughly examined the cultural pressures that make women feel these interventions are necessary in the first place.
Practical Tools: Taking Action on Menopause
One of the book’s most valuable aspects is its practical advice. Watts provides:
- Scripts for talking with doctors, partners, and family about menopause
- Detailed explanations of hormone therapy options
- Simple strength training exercises anyone can do
- Guidelines for advocating for yourself in medical settings
- Questions to ask during gynecological appointments
The “Script for Talking to Your Doctor” section is particularly useful, offering language women can adapt when seeking medical help. As one expert contributor, Dr. Somi Javaid, notes: “Most doctors, including myself, go out with the best of intentions. We are working in a very, very broken healthcare system.” Watts then provides concrete steps for navigating this broken system.
Cultural Context: Why This Book Matters Now
“Dare I Say It” arrives at a crucial moment in the conversation about women’s health. After decades of silence, menopause is finally receiving mainstream attention—from The New York Times’ viral 2023 feature on hormone therapy to new research challenging outdated medical assumptions.
What makes Watts’ contribution significant is how she brings Hollywood credibility to this revolution. By associating her A-list name with menopause advocacy, she helps destigmatize an experience affecting roughly two million American women annually. As she writes: “I believe we’re the last generation who will be so deprived of information.”
The book is also part of Watts’ larger advocacy work, including founding Stripes Beauty, a company focused on menopause education and products. This positions “Dare I Say It” as more than just a memoir—it’s part of a movement to transform how society views women’s midlife experiences.
Final Verdict: A Vital, If Imperfect, Resource
“Dare I Say It” is an engaging, informative, and potentially life-changing resource. Its occasional shortcomings are far outweighed by its contributions to a long-neglected conversation.
The book succeeds wonderfully at:
- Demystifying menopause with candid personal stories
- Providing evidence-based medical information
- Validating women’s experiences and emotions
- Offering practical strategies for symptom management
- Creating a sense of community around a once-isolating experience
Most importantly, “Dare I Say It” helps women reframe menopause not just as an ending but as a potential beginning. As Watts writes in her final chapter:Â “I find myself looking back and thinking, What was I doing? Why did I waste all that time worrying about what other people thought? I’ve vowed to do what feels right and to own what I’m good at without apology for whatever time I have left.”
For any woman approaching or experiencing menopause—or anyone who loves someone navigating this transition—Watts’ book offers both practical guidance and emotional reassurance. It’s the candid girlfriend chat many women wish they’d had years earlier, delivered with Hollywood polish but refreshingly real-world relevance.
Comparable Reads and Further Exploration
While “Dare I Say It” is Watts’ first book, readers interested in menopause might also enjoy:
- “The Menopause Manifesto” by Dr. Jen Gunter (cited in Watts’ book)
- “Estrogen Matters” by Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris
- “The New Menopause” by Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Watts’ approach combines the medical rigor of these books with the conversational style of celebrity memoirs, creating something uniquely valuable—a science-backed resource that reads like a heart-to-heart with a friend who happens to have walked red carpets and founded a menopause-focused beauty brand.
In a world where women’s health concerns are routinely dismissed and midlife women often feel invisible, “Dare I Say It” stands as both a rallying cry and a roadmap. Watts has transformed her personal struggles into a guide that offers both validation and practical solutions, encouraging women to approach menopause not with dread but with knowledge, community, and perhaps even a sense of liberation. As she concludes: “Thank you for coming with me on this journey toward an age of joy, pleasure, and meaning. And please take care of yourself—and remember, you’ve earned it!”
