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Gabrielle Union's message for women struggling with fertility: 'All is not lost'

While the actress doesn't yet have children of her own, she believes it's important that she and other women don't feel guilty about that.
/ Source: TODAY

"Being Mary Jane" star Gabrielle Union has a lot going on in her life, with a career that's going strong and a marriage that keeps her smiling.

And while she doesn't yet have children of her own, she believes it's important that she and other women don't feel guilty about that. And they shouldn't give up.

"If you happen to have issues with fertility as you've gotten older and you happen to have a career, all is not lost," she explained during a Monday morning visit to TODAY. "There is so much hope, there are so many options."

In an interview with Redbook last month, Union, who's married to NBA star Dwyane Wade, said, "So far, it has not happened for us. A lot of my friends deal with [struggles to have a baby]. There's a certain amount of shame that is placed on women who have perhaps chosen a career over starting a family younger."

MORE: Gabrielle Union opens up about pressure, 'shame' in starting family after career

But on TODAY, Union stressed how important it is not to feel that shame.

"I think TV shows and films kind of make [out that] the frigid, single-focused career woman, that her career is the root of all problems in her life," she said. "That's just not the case."

Now she wants to "shed a light" on the issue.

"Fertility is an issue, period," she said, speaking for women in general, rather than herself. "Having a career is not the price you pay for any ill."

Union is stepmother to Wade's three children.

Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade
Actress Gabrielle Union (L) and NBA player Dwyane Wade attend Prabal Gurung Spring 2016 during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at The Arc, Skylight at Moynihan Station on September 13, 2015 in New York City.D Dipasupil / Getty Images

She's also nine years older than her husband, whom she called "hot" and "delicious" during her TODAY visit.

The couple just celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary.

"You know, some people look at marriage as they end of freedom," she said. "And for some reason ... my husband has sort of looked at it as the freedom to finally be the man he always wanted to be. I've had to get used to him being so freakishly happy. It's been good. He's happy, and we're comfortable."

WATCH: 'Bring It On' cast reunites 'cheer-ocracy' 15 years after movie hit theaters

Watch the full interview for more on her husband, fertility talk and on her secret to keeping the years at bay.

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