Bryce Dallas Howard opens up about navigating perimenopause and using hormones

The actress says she feels grateful to be part of a generation receiving greater attention around perimenopause

Bryce Dallas Howard has opened up about her experience with perimenopause, describing the stage of life as a new and positive experience while discussing the subject with PEOPLE.

The actress spoke to the publication at the opening night gala for the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles on September 19, where she attended alongside her father, filmmaker Ron Howard.

At 45, Howard said she is doing well while navigating perimenopause, which refers to the period when the body begins its natural transition towards menopause. The transition can last several years and involves hormonal changes that may cause a range of symptoms.

“That’s been a new exploration for me, and it’s been very, very positive,” Howard told. She also expressed gratitude for being part of a generation of women who are receiving greater attention and treatment around the subject.

Howard revealed that she has been using hormones to manage symptoms associated with perimenopause. Hormone replacement therapy is one treatment option used to address certain symptoms during perimenopause and menopause, although treatment decisions vary between individuals and should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

The actress also pointed to what she sees as a broader change in how women approach medical care during this stage of life.

“There’s been a generational shift, I think, that’s really, really powerful,” Howard said when discussing the increasing openness around seeking medical advice and treatment for perimenopause.

Her comments come as a number of public figures have spoken about their own experiences with perimenopause and menopause in recent years. Celebrities including Naomi Watts, Gabrielle Union and Gwyneth Paltrow have discussed aspects of the transition publicly, contributing to wider conversations about symptoms and treatment.

Howard has previously spoken about personal topics including body image and ageing, while continuing her work as an actress, director and producer.

Her recent acting credits include Deep Cover and Argylle. She is also known for roles in films including Jurassic World, The Help and Spider-Man 3. Howard is expected to return to the big screen in Anything But Ghosts, a horror comedy scheduled for 2027.

During her conversation at the Lucas Museum gala, Howard also provided an update on her family, saying her children Theodore, 19, and Beatrice, 14, are doing well. The children are her two children with actor Seth Gabel.