Gwyneth Paltrow is shedding light on her personal experience with using alcohol as a coping mechanism during a difficult period in her life. In a candid discussion on The Goop Podcast with Dr. Mary Claire Haver, Paltrow opened up about how she turned to alcohol while dealing with menopause symptoms and the emotional toll of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.
“I’m really in the thick of it right now, so I’m all over the place,” Paltrow said, referring to her ongoing struggles with menopause. She admitted that while she usually manages her symptoms well, the January wildfires in Los Angeles triggered a change. “But I noticed my symptoms are, like, pretty well under control unless, you know, in January when the fires were happening in LA.
More: Justin Bieber and Hailey Allegedly Having Trouble in Their Marriage
More: Judge Grants Request to Pause Justin Baldoni’s Defamation Lawsuit Against News Outlet
I’ve, like, used alcohol for its purpose. I was medicating.” Although neither Paltrow nor her husband, Brad Falchuk, were directly affected by the fires that ravaged Pacific Palisades and Altadena, they had many close friends who lost everything in the disaster. The emotional weight of the tragedy left her in “deep grief,” leading her to rely on alcohol as a way to cope.
“I think I drank every night,” Paltrow admitted. “Normally, now at this point, I don’t drink a lot at all. Maybe I’ll have one drink a week.” However, she soon noticed that alcohol made her menopausal symptoms significantly worse. “They were completely out of control,” she said. “It was the first time I really noticed, like, causation in that way.”
Dr. Haver, a menopause specialist, responded by sharing similar experiences from her own patients. “Lots of my patients say the same thing. They’ve really just spontaneously realized that they’ve cut back on alcohol or just quit altogether because it just hasn’t been worth it. They don’t bounce back the same way. It stays in our system a lot longer.”
More: Hoda Kotb Eager to See Who Will Replace Her on ‘Today’ with Jenna Bush Hager
More: George and Amal Clooney Facing Marriage Struggles Amid Long-Distance Separation, Sources Claim
The Los Angeles wildfires had a catastrophic impact on the community, displacing thousands and destroying homes and businesses—including those of several high-profile figures. The disaster claimed at least 29 lives and left a lasting emotional mark on those who witnessed the destruction.
Paltrow’s openness about her struggles offers insight into how major life changes—whether personal or environmental—can affect mental and physical health, especially for women navigating menopause.
For You:
- “The Best and Healthiest Decision” Bethenny Frankel Reveals Surprise Move to Florida for Her and Daughter’s Future
- “She Was Going to Surprise My Wife”: Family Testifies in Trial Over Innocent Mother Killed in Police Chase Crash
- “Biden, You Can’t Hide” Protesters Hijack Secret Harvard Visit as Gaffes and Melting Ice Cream Steal the Spotlight
- “Why Do They Always Skip?” Prince William and Kate Middleton will not be joining King Charles at the Easter gathering
- Real reason why Kelly Clarkson is unable to answer million-dollar question