'Balance'- the much-awaited docuseries on Perimenopause has it's Hollywood launch.

On Tuesday January 13, the Pacific Design Centre, West Hollywood hosted a red-carpet premiere of Balance: A Perimenopause Journey- a 4-part docuseries on Perimenopause. FilmHub & Siddhayatan Tirth Productions presented this eye-opening documentary of two female monks' personal journey through perimenopause. Guests were treated to two of the episodes on the night. This 4-part docuseries, which premieres on Amazon & Apple TV Jan. 30th, looks at the global health crises of perimenopause and the need for more research and better healthcare that treats women with respect and equity.

One of the most consequential yet least talked about global health issues today is Perimenopause. Perimenopause is the 5-10 years leading up to menopause, a condition that every single woman in the world will go through. It affects 4 billion women on this planet at some point in their adult lives. And yet so little is discussed about it in health summits. Research for perimenopause is at a staggering low level. This is slowly changing, and it has taken a Hollywood star cast to bring some awareness on this important issue.

The docuseries follows the protagonists of the series, Monks Sadhvi Siddhali Shree and Sadhvi Anubhuti of the Siddhayatan Tirth and Spiritual retreat. Siddhayatan is an Ashram based in Windom, Texas. For 20 years, they have empowered countless people through life changing spiritual and meditation programs, guiding them on a transformative journey. Based on the principles of Hinduism and Jainism, the ashram offers techniques based on ancient Vedic wisdom from Indian Spirituality and calibrates them with the modern times to make it relevant and powerful.

Monks of the Siddhayatan spiritual retreat along with the founder, Acharya Shree Yogeesh

We follow the monks Sadhvi Siddhali and Sadhvi Anubhuti as they navigate through the American medical system in search of answers for questions regarding their own perimenopausal journeys. They speak to experts around the world in their quest for answers that affects them and the women around them. The juxtaposition of spiritual seekers diving into the world of policy, governance and the US medical system is quite striking. Perimenopause affects every woman, regardless of class, status, race, religion, color making this truly a global problem. The lack of information, resources, and general concern is a global epidemic, and we are only just now starting to have a conversation on it. Menopause research is globally underfunded. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding on menopause research is reported to be less than 50 million collectively in the last 20 years. This is an abysmal amount to be spent on researching a life stage that affects half of humanity.

'Balance' was directed by the two monks themselves and produced by actress/activist Alyssa Milano and The Real's Jennie Mai. Milano noted at an interview recently, "This is really the first generation of women entering perimenopause with strong public voices, with economic power and with creative authority." In stressing the urgent need for visibility of this issue, she also remarked: "We're far less willing to disappear quietly. I have never in my life felt as powerful as I do right now,".

Unfortunately, Perimenopause and its research has its detractors in the medical world, an industry that is heavily dedicated by men who don't seem to have any first-hand experience of the symptoms and effects of perimenopause. They challenge the use of Hormone replacement therapy- (HRT) for women yet don't offer any good alternatives in return.

An recent eye opening 60 Minutes episode on Perimenopause exposed the dire need for change that the Balance series explores in greater detail. A Health expert expresses in the episode "It's very hard not to argue that this is the greatest single failure of the modern medical system," referring to the hesitancy to prescribe hormone replacement therapy for perimenopausal and menopausal women. 

The Balance documentary is informative, but most importantly it is hopeful. It restores hope to billions of women about their own health and future. It is important not to view this life stage as failure but as a transition. To not fear it but welcome it lovingly. It is coming for you anyway, no matter what, so better to enjoy it while optimizing your health and wellbeing during the process.

The event was hosted by Jennie Mai and attended by Alyssa Milano as well as two monks. The founder of Siddhayatan Retreat, Acharya Shree Yogesh graced his divine presence at the event as well. Hollywood producers & the star cast along with many other top-level celebrities were also in attendance to lend their support for this important cause. Multiple top-level talent, influencers, industry leaders, and those involved in the production enjoyed the Red Carpet Premiere and reception.

You can catch Balance on Amazon and Apple TV from January 30th onwards.

For more information on the documentary, you may visit http://www.balancedocuseries.com.

And for more information on the Siddhayatan Tirth and Spiritual retreat please visit to http://www.siddhayatan.org