GH Spoilers: Laura Wright’s Inspiring Story-Tackling Menopause, Misdiagnosis, and the Importance Of Self-Advocacy

General Hospital spoilers and updates reveal Laura Wright, who plays Carly Spencer on the soap went through some serious stuff around a year or so ago.

She shares with Woman’s World what she went through with menopause, misdiagnosis and how she learned the importance of self-advocacy.

General Hospital Spoilers – Laura Wright Talks About How She Put A Stop To Menopause Related Symptoms

Laura Wright, the talented star of General Hospital, is often seen as a force to be reckoned with.

However, just a year ago, the Daytime Emmy-winning actress, known for her role as Carly, faced a tough battle with hot flashes, panic attacks, memory lapses, and weight gain.

In a heartfelt conversation with Woman’s World, Wright reveals her personal struggles with perimenopause and menopause, detailing the moment that inspired her to take charge of her health.

Recently, at 54, she reflected on her journey alongside Carly on General Hospital, but chose to focus on the important topic of menopause in her story.

Plus, she revealed how she put a stop to her symptoms and learned she had to advocate for herself with doctors and the health care system.

GH Spoilers – Laura Wright Talks About How Her Work Was Affected

Society has become more open to conversations about perimenopause and menopause, yet Laura Wright confesses that during her own struggles, both physically and emotionally, she was completely unaware of what was happening.

“About a year and a half ago, I was filming a scene with Maura West (who portrays Ava Jerome on General Hospital.

I kept forgetting my lines—something I rarely do,” the actress shares, referring to the industry term for forgetting dialogue. “Having been in this profession for so long, it takes a lot for me to stumble and forget my lines repeatedly!” Wright has been adding excitement to daytime TV since she started on Loving in 1991.

General Hospital Spoilers – Laura Wright Reveals How Truly Debilitating Her Symptoms Were

She also created drama on The City and Guiding Light before joining General Hospital in 2005, where she won a Daytime Emmy in 2011.

However, she unexpectedly struggled with her performance, and as for menopause itself, Wright describes the experience as overwhelmingly exhausting. “It wasn’t just the hot flashes; I couldn’t sleep at all; I was jolted awake every hour by a hot flash that triggered intense anxiety.

At work, I found myself pacing in a corner, fighting back tears. Panic attacks became a regular occurrence, and when I tried to pinpoint my fears, they weren’t mental—they were purely physical.”

GH Spoilers – Laura Wright Shares Her Physical And Mental Challenges During That Time

Wright, a vibrant soap star, found herself facing unexpected health challenges despite her active lifestyle; “I play pickleball four times a week,” she explains. “I hit the gym regularly for weight training and walk my dog for at least three miles daily; my diet is as clean as it gets. When my kids visit, they always ask, ‘Where’s the junk food-I’m all about veggies and egg whites, and I love my protein shakes with berries!

So, I was baffled by the sudden weight gain and rising cholesterol levels;” the turning point came last January during a week off from work. “I was getting ready to make my bed and head to the gym when an overwhelming anxiety attack struck, keeping me from leaving my room for two days,” she recalls.

General Hospital Spoilers – Laura Wright Made A Decision That Changed Her Life

“That’s when I decided to see a menopause specialist, and it truly transformed my life-after nearly a year, I finally feel balanced again.” But on her forward path, she made some horrible discoveries regarding past diagnoses and treatments that she had endured prior to her going to a menopause specialist. Wright was shocked to discover that she’d been misdiagnosed after learning more about her health; “I experienced severe bleeding and other issues, but my gynecologist didn’t specialize in menopause and mid-life care.

She continued, “I ended up having the same surgery in 2020 and 2021, when it was really a hormonal issue; I was in perimenopause!” To make matters worse, she realized she had been dealing with undiagnosed perimenopause symptoms since the birth of her youngest child, who is now 24.

GH Spoilers – More Education Is Needed

There is a pressing need for increased testing, education, and awareness on this topic, she emphasizes. “Your OB-GYN typically receives only about a month of training on menopause, as their focus is primarily on childbirth.

They are truly remarkable professionals, but menopause is an inevitable phase that cannot be overlooked. Failing to acknowledge and address it properly is a disservice to all women.”

While some women begin experiencing perimenopause symptoms as early as their 30s, others manage to avoid the hot flashes, weight gain, and other visible signs of this significant transition in their bodies.

General Hospital Spoilers – The Silent Dangers Of Perimenopause And Menopause

Wright expresses her astonishment, saying, “It’s truly incredible how every woman experiences this phase, yet each journey is unique; one in twenty women in perimenopause may actually lose a tooth. This happens because the hormonal changes affect the bone structure in our mouths; our brains are impacted too, leading to increases in cholesterol levels, just like in my case. It’s frustrating to think that with all the new research emerging, doctors and scientists haven’t prioritized this issue in the past.

A century ago, women didn’t live as long, but now we are flourishing! It’s clear that the entire medical school curriculum focusing on women’s reproductive health urgently needs an overhaul.”

GH Spoilers – Laura Wright’s Journey Hasn’t Been Easy

As anyone who’s had similar symptoms can imagine, Wright’s journey hasn’t been easy. “I looked at (boyfriend and former General Hospital costar) Wes Ramsey and was like, ‘I can see why women in the ‘50s and ‘60s and earlier generations became alcoholics at this point. Because you just want to drink and escape from how horrible you feel;’ but if you are suffering, you have to be your own advocate to keep going,”

Wright adds. “And quite frankly, if your doctor doesn’t get it, find a new doctor that listens to you, believes you, and doesn’t just want to stick you on an antidepressant. Those are a great tool for some women with menopause, but there’s tons of different options out there.”

General Hospital Spoilers – Laura Wright Gets Real About Hormone Replacement Therapy

Laura continued, talking about some of the options for helping women through perimenopause and menopause.

She said there are options from HRT and drugs that help with menopause, hot flashes and weight gain that don’t go down the hormone path to diet, exercise, meditation techniques and breathing.

Wright cannot take estrogen directly because she has an estrogen dominance issue, but she has found help through hormone replacement therapy.

She explains, “For some women, an estrogen patch and a little progesterone can change everything, but my situation is different; I use testosterone and progesterone. The testosterone turns into estrogen in my body, which helps reduce my hot flashes; now I can actually sleep-it also boosts my mood, making me feel happier and more energetic.

GH Spoilers – Hormone Replacement Therapy Has Other Benefits

Laura continued, “For women experiencing menopause who have lost their sex drive, it can be beneficial-you won’t feel like a 20-year-old, but it provides enough energy and mental clarity.”

The actress is not claiming that every woman needs to take testosterone or that she knows everything. However, as someone who values lifelong learning, Wright encourages women to seek out a mid-life medical expert, and to follow Tamsen Fadal.

Fadal, a former news anchor in New York City, used her investigative talents when menopause affected her life; she co-produced the PBS documentary The M Factor: Shedding the Silence on Menopause. Her upcoming book, “How To Menopause”, will be released in March, with preorders already open.

General Hospital Spoilers – Embracing Life After “The Change”

Wright has faced a tough path and hopes the healthcare system could better support women navigating perimenopause and menopause. However, the General Hospital veteran has come to accept her body and the transformations she has experienced.

“The way you live your life before menopause is completely different from how you can live it during or after if you want to truly thrive,” Wright explains.

“It’s a significant lifestyle change. I even advised my daughter, who is 26, to start preparing her menopause plan—because it can hit you hard, and having someone to talk to will be invaluable.”

GH Spoilers – A Better Way Moving Forward

Last year, during a particularly intense hot flash at General Hospital, Carly’s actress would dash off the set to find some privacy. Fast forward to today, and Wright, who has always been candid about her experiences, is no longer concealing her struggles. “Now, everyone on set is aware because I’m like, ‘Hot flash incoming! Get this coat off me right now!’” Wright reveals.

“We’ve been conditioned to mock menopause, to laugh at it, to fear it, and to feel ashamed of it; yet, no one has encouraged us to embrace it. I’ve discovered that my life is so much richer now, thanks to the insights I’ve gained about myself over these years.”

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