HRT is a total menopause gamechanger, it’s stopped me screaming at my man & having rages, says Lisa Snowdon
LISA Snowdon has revealed how she finally feels herself again thanks to HRT which has stopped her from having menopausal rages and screaming at her man.
The popular presenter and fashion model, 49, who is backing the Fabulous Menopause Matters campaign, says that hormone replacement therapy is a "gamechanger" after years of struggle.
Lisa was just 44 when she started recognising symptoms of peri-menopause and today appeared on Lorraine where she stressed the importance of talking about the menopause.
Describing her symptoms to show host Lorraine Kelly, Lisa said: "It definitely crept up on me, there wasn’t a day I can pinpoint when it started.
"I was experiencing low mood, depression, anxiety. I was managing, I just thought that’s what was wrong with me."
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"I was prescribed antidepressants at the time. I had painful periods, awful cycles, which were irregular. It was a juggling act, it was really hard to work out what was going on."
Lisa previously revealed that early menopause stole her chance to have kids with her ‘brilliant’ fiance George Smart.
But, with help from HRT - hormone replacement therapy - she admits that she's finally herself after feeling like "I'd completely lost myself."
What's more, she's no longer experiencing brain fog, anxiety and fits of rage, she previously revealed to Fabulous.
She said: "I am now on HRT. I wouldn’t be without it, it’s changed everything, It’s been a game-changer, I’m myself again. I’m not screaming at my partner, I’m not having rages."
Lisa also struggled with menopausal symptoms throughout her time on I'm a Celebrity in 2016, and said that she didn't really "recognise my own body."
She recalled: "It was such a shame, I said yes to going into the jungle, and was really excited. In the months leading up I started having debilitating cycles, I couldn’t leave the house, I didn't know what to do.
Fabulous Menopause Matters
An estimated one in five of the UK’s population are currently experiencing it.
Yet the menopause is still whispered in hush tones like it’s something to be embarrassed about.
The stigma attached to the transition means women have been suffering in silence for centuries.
The Sun are determined to change that, launching the Fabulous Menopause Matters campaign to give the taboo a long-awaited kick, and get women the support they need.
The campaign has three aims:
- To make HRT free in England
- To get every workplace to have a menopause policy to provide support
- To bust taboos around the menopause
The campaign has been backed by a host of influential figures including Baroness Karren Brady CBE, celebrities Lisa Snowdon, Jane Moore, Michelle Heaton, Zoe Hardman, Saira Khan, Trisha Goddard, as well as Dr Louise Newson, Carolyn Harris MP, Jess Phillips MP, Caroline Nokes MP and Rachel Maclean MP.
Exclusive research commissioned by Fabulous, which surveyed 2,000 British women aged 45-65 who are going through or have been through the menopause, found that 49% of women suffered feelings of depression, while 7% felt suicidal while going through the menopause.
50% of respondents said there is not enough support out there for menopausal women, which is simply not good enough. It’s time to change that.
"I couldn't be in the jungle, in the hammock, doing challenges like this.
"I went to the doctor and got a short fix, I went on the pill which stopped my cycle, which isn’t ideal, but I wanted to experience it (the jungle)."
Although some symptoms had disappeared thanks to being on the pill, Lisa said she still didn't feel herself.
"I had brain fog, I didn’t have energy, I was feeling lonely and I didn't recognise my body - all those things that we now know are peri-menopause symptoms," she said.
For more menopause stories, these are the seven reasons you're getting night sweats.
And this woman went through menopause at 13 - but she's finally become a mum.
Plus here are the 12 signs you could be in early menopause – and what to do about it.