Penny Lancaster has opened up about her “disgusting” menopause experience when her mood swings got so bad at one stage that she threw dinner plates on the floor.
The 51-year-old TV presenter and model, who is married to Sir Rod Stewart, spoke about her experience as she reflected on the importance of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), saying it should be free for women. .
This comes after the government announced that it was going to limit the amount of certain HRT products women can use to improve normal supply across the UK.
The action was taken in response to concerns about drug shortages, which have left women desperate.
“I believe men can grab Viagra for free, so their hormones are taken care of.”
Penny Lancaster, campaigning to increase access to hormone replacement therapy, says many women are losing their jobs and high-profile positions.@tnewtondunn , #hrt pic.twitter.com/PAr0ldodDC
— The News Desk (@TheNewsDesk) 3 May 2022
Speaking on TalkTV’s The News Desk, Lancaster explained that menopause had changed her mood so badly that one day when her children were arguing in the kitchen, she “snapped” and screamed and saw plates on the floor. Thrown it
She said the experience was “disgusting” and it left her in tears, adding: “It was one of those people you know, ‘We have to take your mother to the doctor. Something’s not right.’
“Because I’m going too easy, calm down. I take everything with my stride and want everyone around me to be happy like a lot of moms-to-be.
“We have balanced everything around us and everyone’s thoughts and feelings come first to us.”
In October, Lancaster joined other famous names like Davina McCall and Mariella Frostrup at a rally in Parliament Square, where crowds celebrated as the government promised more menopause support and reduced HRT costs at the time.
video of the day
HRT can help reduce severe menopausal symptoms including hot flushes, night sweats, low mood, anxiety and difficulty sleeping.
close
Penny Lancaster and Davina McCall join protesters demonstrating outside the Houses of Parliament in October against allegations of ongoing prescriptions for HRT (Steve Parsons/PA)
Reflecting on the importance of treatment, he said: “The demand for HRT is now because of the confidence of women, after a lot of hype in the last two or three years, we are not running away from it.
“We are not ashamed to talk about it. We are brave enough to go to the doctors and ask for HRT.
“There has to be a tick box, with very simple symptoms that you just need to tick, for a doctor to finally go ‘Okay, assign, assign your prescription. Here’s HRT.’
“Because it’s really, really devastating, and now because of this huge demand, pharmacists and manufacturers, they can’t meet the demand for the medicine that we need.”
She continued: “So I think the message is gone, and it’s full steam ahead and let’s hope women can get their hands on it, and more importantly, don’t have to pay for it. I’m not in Scotland and Wales. So we need to move on with that.”
“I believe men can grab Viagra for free so their hormones are being taken care of.
“And women play an important role in the workplace, and a lot of women are losing their jobs and moving away from very high-profile positions, where men and women are at the position in their careers where they are promoted. You can go and become CEOs of companies and very talented women are being lost.”
The News Desk airs live and on-demand on TalkTV on weekdays at 7 p.m. (Sky 526, Virgin Media 627, Freeview 237, and Freesat 217) and on the TalkTV app and Talk.TV.
