Drew Barrymore Jokingly Calls Herself a “Dead Fish” Amid Perimenopause

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Drew Barrymore believed she was ready for her next chapter, hook, line and sinker.

She had a surprising experience that shifted her perspective: she started her period again after a long absence. The talk show host, who is going through perimenopause, shared what it was like to have this happen.

Drew Barrymore recently shared on her show that she was feeling really uncomfortable and swollen. She described it as feeling like a fish out of water – a ‘dead fish’ that had been left on the beach. She explained she just couldn’t pretend to feel good when she was actually feeling so bloated.

I was nearing the one-year mark without a period, which would signal the start of menopause – where I feel I should be, honestly. I had gone eleven months, but now my period has returned, so it’s like starting all over again.”

The 51-year-old has been open about her experience with perimenopause. Like other women going through this transition, she needs to go a full year without a period before she officially reaches menopause, and she hasn’t hesitated to share what it’s really like.

She explained she was feeling really down about her appearance, and that her hormones were all over the place, making it hard to think clearly. She added that she was easily frustrated, feeling bloated, and experiencing a lot of mood swings.

Despite everything, attending her show was a bright spot. She explained that it helped her feel relieved, saying, “It’s good to know people understand what I’m going through, and I always feel better after performing here.”

Drew Barrymore, who starred in Never Been Kissed and is mom to Olive, 13, and Frankie, 11, with her ex-husband Will Kopelman, has spoken about the difficulties of starting hormone replacement therapy at age 50, a common treatment for menopause symptoms.

She admitted it was a difficult process with a lot of setbacks. “I barely recognized myself,” she told People magazine in November. “I looked in the mirror and thought, ‘Who is that? Oh, it’s just me!'”

She recalled feeling “puffy from hormones,” adding, “I just didn’t feel good about myself.”

She improved her life by eating healthier, getting more sleep, and exercising regularly. Crucially, she also learned to be kind to herself and not push too hard.

She shared that being kinder to herself and avoiding negative self-talk has significantly improved her self-esteem and overall well-being.

Drew isn’t alone in talking about the challenges of getting older. Here are other celebrities who have also shared their perspectives on aging.

She told Self magazine that she doesn’t focus on whether aging makes you look better or worse, but simply sees it as a natural part of life. ‘You evolve, and that’s perfectly fine. Change is what life is all about,’ she explained.

It’s impossible to stop aging—we all do! Many women feel like it’s a personal failing when they get older, as if they haven’t lived up to some standard of staying young. But I think getting older is actually something to be grateful for – it’s a privilege that not everyone experiences, she explained to Access Hollywood.

Throughout history, whenever women have achieved progress, society often pushes back with new forms of control. Currently, it feels like there’s intense pressure on women to maintain a very specific appearance – they’re not allowed to show the natural signs of aging or pregnancy. This feels worse than ever, and it’s a clever way to control people by making them feel ashamed of their bodies. But I’m choosing to reject that shame and embrace being human, as she shared with the Los Angeles Times.

Turning 40 made me realize I’ve grown into a more self-accepting person, and it feels really good,” she shared with Harper’s Bazaar.

Okay, so she said something amazing! Basically, she’s way happier with how she looks now than she ever was when she was younger, even though she admits she looked ‘better’ at 22 or 23. But here’s the thing – she wasn’t enjoying it then! She was constantly comparing herself to everyone else and it was awful. Now, she’s worked for her body, and she loves it because it’s hers. It’s just… so inspiring! She told Popsugar all this, and honestly, it makes so much sense.

You know, I’ve really made peace with the aging process. A few wrinkles and the natural effects of gravity? Totally worth it for the life experience and inner growth! Honestly, if my body changes with time – and let’s be real, it will – I’m not going to stress about it. I’m focusing on feeling good and embracing every stage of life, rather than chasing some unrealistic ideal.

“F–k you. I’m 50. That’s what I’m going to say when I turn 50. Sorry,” as she told Popsugar. 

After 60 years of life, I’ve learned that being fearless is incredibly valuable. For a long time, I let fear hold me back, and that’s something I deeply regret, as I shared with PopSugar.

Oh my gosh, it’s SO true! When I was a teenager, 28 seemed ancient, like, totally over the hill! But now I’m realizing, 28 is amazing! It just hits different. Then you start thinking about 42 and you’re like, ‘Ugh, no way!’ But honestly? I bet 42 will be fantastic too. It’s like, with every birthday, you just get it, you know? You finally have the wisdom to actually enjoy being that age. It’s the best!

“I do think about ageing. I have those moments of panic and vanity, but life keeps getting better, so you can’t worry about it too much,” she told Marie Claire UK.

She told Ok! Magazine that she doesn’t believe in aging, only in growing wiser and gaining knowledge, which she considers a form of beauty.

“Age holds absolutely no fear for me. There is so much enjoyment ahead,” as she told MarieClaire.

She expressed surprise that anyone wouldn’t agree women become more beautiful with age, explaining that confidence grows over time, and true beauty stems from self-assurance, as she shared with Net-a-Porter Magazine.

Lying about your age is a form of dishonesty that fuels a larger problem in our culture: the desire to be someone you’re not. As Oprah Winfrey wrote in O, The Oprah Magazine, truly living a full life means embracing who you are, authentically and without pretense.

You can’t stop getting older, but you can control how you approach it. Looking at my face, I see my entire life story – every wrinkle, every line, every mark. It’s often said that your outer appearance reflects your inner self. If you rarely smile, your face will likely show that. If you smile often, you’ll develop smile lines. Your wrinkles aren’t flaws; they’re a record of your experiences, a map of the life you’ve lived. My face shows the effects of all my adventures – the sun, wind, and rain. It holds all my memories, and I wouldn’t want to erase any of them, she shared with Vogue.

She told Glamour that as women age, they often become more comfortable and confident with their sexuality, losing any feelings of embarrassment or intimidation. She believes sexuality and femininity grow with age, wisdom, and self-acceptance.

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2026-03-24 22:47