Gateshead star Michelle Heaton headed to Parliament on Wednesday to campaign for greater education about menopause.
The Liberty X member who shot to fame at the turn of the millennium in the first series of Popstars, has spoken candidly about her experience after menopause hit her at the age of 35 following a double mastectomy and a hysterectomy.
Mum-of-two Michelle took the brave step to have surgery to reduce her cancer risk after tests revealed she had inherited the faulty BRCA2 gene from her dad.
Speaking about menopause on Loose Women in 2008 as she released her own book Hot Flush: Motherhood, The Menopause and Me, Michelle said: “We are too scared to talk about the menopause because it’s a non-sexy chat but every woman’s going to go through it, whether as early as me or late like my mum.
“Everyone has a different journey. Some women don’t have any symptoms, which is amazing.
“Before I went through it I assumed that the main menopause symptoms were hot flushes and headaches because that’s what everybody talks about.
“But mine included insomnia. Before the menopause I would just get up and go to the gym but I can’t get out of bed because I can’t sleep and I feel really irritated and sad about it all.
“Then there’s the rage, getting to the point where I’m screaming or crying for absolutely no reason.”
And then, taking to Twitter on Tuesday, Michellle quoted a tweet from Know Your Menopause which read: "We are beyond excited to announce that the fabulous @wonderwomanshel will be among our special guests joining us in Parliament to share her menopause experience and tell MPs of the need for greater education through the #KnowYourMenopause posters. Two Geordies in the gang!!!!"
Michelle added: "Very excited and honoured to be amongst other women tomorrow attending parliament .. in the quest for greater education on #menopause ."
Her comments prompted a big reaction from her many followers, including Geordie Shore star Sophie Kasaei, who told her: "This is fab Michelle well done! My mams going through this atm and I feel so sorry for her , there’s not much eduction on it at all."
Michelle then responded: "Love to your mum lets hope we are listened to."
