TV show's menopause storyline earns praise from doctors

Amanda Peet's new series 'Your Friends & Neighbors' includes a perimenopause storyline that several doctors welcomed, and a Geena Davis Institute study found menopause is rarely shown on screen.

Amanda Peet's new series Your Friends & Neighbors opens a season plot with a perimenopause storyline. Early scenes show her character, Mel, discussing vaginal dryness and later searching online for symptoms like brain fog and night sweats. Medical professionals and advocates have noted the scene as notable because menopause is still infrequently depicted in film and television. The article places the storyline in the context of broader efforts by creators to bring menopause conversations into mainstream media. Key facts: - Eight minutes into the new season, Amanda Peet's character Mel is shown discussing vaginal dryness as part of a menopause-related storyline; Peet is 54 and her character is 50 on the show. - By episode two the character is shown Googling symptoms commonly associated with perimenopause, including brain fog, lack of concentration and night sweats. - Fatima Naqvi, an obstetrician-gynecologist and certified menopause provider, said including a menopause storyline is a good start and that shows should aim to portray more nuance. - A Geena Davis Institute study reported that of 225 films featuring a prominent 40-plus female character released between 2009 and 2024, only 6% mentioned menopause. - Some viewers on Reddit said the timing and level of detail felt unrealistic, and others noted the show did not explore options such as vaginal estrogen. - The article also reports that some women are still learning that a range of symptoms can signal perimenopause and that there are shortages of medications such as estrogen patches. Summary: The inclusion of a perimenopause arc in a popular TV series highlights gaps in on-screen representation and could increase visibility for menopausal health. Experts quoted in the article welcome the depiction while calling for greater nuance. Perimenopause will continue to be part of Amanda Peet's storyline this season. Undetermined at this time.