Octavia Spencer Introduces Fans to ‘Menny,’ Her Pet Name for Menopause

Octavia Spencer joked about her pet names for for perimenopause and menopause — saying Peri “wasn’t really kind” and Menny is “not much better.”

The Academy Award winner, 55, riffed on the nicknames in the caption to a Sept. 24 selfie posted to Instagram, explaining, “I met Peri five years ago, she wasn’t really kind.”

Perimenopause is the time period that leads up to menopause, which is when menstruation stops, the Mayo Clinic explains. In perimenopause, women can experience irregular periods, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes and problems with sleep. 

The Ma star went on to explain that “Meno? Well let’s just say she’s not much better, but we’ve been introduced and ‘trying’ to become friends.”

While perimenopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats generally cease with menopause, “Menny” can cause hair loss, weight gain, incontinence, cardiovascular issues, and osteoporosis — due to women losing up to 25% of their bone density, the Cleveland Clinic explains.

“To all my ladies trying to make a new friend in Meno… let’s call her Menny, on this day may your knees and hips HAVE NO PAIN,” Spencer wrote. “May you embrace the fact that even in your changing skin, you are beautiful, capable, and worthy!”

Her post resonated deeply with other women, who turned the comment section into a supportive — and at times, hilarious — space. 

Halle Berry, 59, a longtime outspoken advocate for women’s health in perimenopause and menopause, wrote, “Hello Ms Menny! You are gorgeous inside and out !❤️.” Her comment prompted Spencer to reply, “YOU are, my friend!”

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Frasier alum Peri Gilpin, 64, wrote, “I love you Octavia! Peri xoxo 😘 😍❤️,” to which Spencer commented, “You’re the nice Peri 😂😂😂😂.”

“Hey Menny, I’m LePaushia,” Tyra Banks, 51, responded, earning a series of “😍😍😍” from Spencer in response.

“No Peri straight to Meno 😖😵‍💫😓,” Holly Robinson Peete, 61, shared. And The Office alum Kate Flannery, 61, commented that “I’m fighting too,” calling menopause “relentless. You really said it perfectly!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️”

Flannery went on to add, “Wish I had an awareness when my mom was going thru [menopause]! God bless our moms and aunts and grandmothers!!!!! ❤️”