Audiobook Review: Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause
Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause
Author: Naomi Watts
Narrator: Naomi Watts
Published: January 21, 2025
Audiobook: 6 hours 50 minutes
Reviewed By: Jessica
Dates Read: July 6-10, 2025
Jessica’s Rating: 4 stars
Book Description:
At thirty-six, Naomi Watts had just completed filming King Kong and was trying to start a family when she was told that she was on the brink of menopause. It is estimated that seventy-five million women in the United States are currently dealing with menopause symptoms (dry itchy skin, raging hormones, night sweats), and yet the very word “menopause” continues to be associated with stigma and confusion. With so little information, many women feel unprepared, ashamed, and deeply alone when the time comes.
This is the book Naomi Watts wishes she had when she first started experiencing symptoms. Like sitting down over coffee and having an intimate chat with your girlfriend, Dare I Say It blends funny and poignant stories from Naomi and her friends with advice from doctors, hormone experts, and nutritionists to take the secrecy and shame out of menopause and aging. Answering questions such as: What’s hormone therapy and should I be on it? Will I ever sleep again? Will I get myself back? What happened to my libido? Do I need eighteen serums for my aging skin? Whose body is this anyway? Who am I now? Naomi Watts shares the most up-to-date research on how to manage menopause symptoms and tackle the physical and emotional challenges we encounter as we age.
Irreverent, bold, and reassuring, Dare I Say It is the companion every woman needs to embrace the best version of herself as she moves into what can be the most powerful and satisfying period of her life.
Jessica’s Review:
Women’s health can be a big mystery with many unknowns, but these unknowns are constantly being learned. It seems in very recent years as more ‘well known’ women are reaching a ‘certain age’ (IE: Menopause) they are letting their voices be heard. Menopause and perimenopause are becoming mainstream to talk about, and therefore women in the starting phases of this change of life (this listener included) can learn and know what to expect in the future with their health.
There is still so much to learn regarding perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause, but Naomi Watts is helping in this. She has written this book and given her experiences with menopause. It is informative and at times she made me laugh. There were portions of this book that didn’t apply to me (Watts desire for children and her fear she might not ever become a mother) while other parts I found very ‘teachworthy’. Such as: Did you know that menopause is just one day? It is the day from when you have not had a period for 12 consecutive months. Post-menopause begins after that and then is the rest of a woman’s life.
I would say it is not the ‘ultimate book’ on menopause information, but it is a good place to start. And Watts does give her own story throughout the book. At times it was like she was sitting here with you just talking to a friend. Dare I say It gives the listener (in my case) a history of the field of study and the experiences of past generations of women, as well as giving an insight into various health-related options and resources currently available.
One thing Watts does talk about is her company she founded called Stripes. It is a beauty and wellness brand focused on perimenopause and menopause. This is something to keep in mind as you read the book.
I loved that she mentioned Tamsen Fadal! I plan on reading Fadal’s book How to Menopause soon. Fadal also released a documentary titled The M Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause that I watched last year.
For me, Watts’ book gives a good introduction on what a woman can expect with perimenopause and menopause. I plan on learning more since I am now going through it.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK