She’s renowned for her tongue-in-cheek humour as the host of Channel 4’s Naked Attraction, but TV presenter Anna Richardson readily admits her menopausal symptoms rendered her speechless thanks to ongoing bouts of brain fog.
“With my job, I’m used to being articulate, I’m good with my words and I’m a conversationalist – but suddenly I couldn’t find the words to finish my sentences,” Anna, 52, tells Closer.
“I still struggle and will often say, ‘Oh you know, the, the... thing’, without being able to get it out. That was quite shocking when you’re used to having access to an amazing vocabulary. You then start worrying you have a brain tumour or dementia and think, ‘What’s going on here?’ The whole thing is utterly befuddling.”
Anna began experiencing perimenopause at 46 and admits her symptoms were characterised by huge changes to her mood, which she treated with antidepressants and therapy. The star, along with other celebrities including Andrea McLean, Gabby Logan, Sally Phillips and Shappi Khorsandi, recently shared her experiences as part of the Menopause Monologues with Boots and No7 and admits the experience was “cathartic”.
She says, “At first, I noticed deep anxiety and depression and it was very difficult. I had an overwhelming sense of not feeling safe. It’s a symptom I’ve recognised before, having suffered with other hormonal issues like going through an ectopic pregnancy, PMT and failed pregnancies.”
She adds, “It’s like there’s a veil over your life – I’m still not through it. I’ve certainly felt very tired, sluggish with aching muscles and joints. You feel as though you can’t exercise, you haven’t got the energy to play tennis or go on a big dog walk and your mood drops as a result. In my experience and other people I know, it’s been a hellish journey.
“It was funny yet emotional to hear other women’s stories on Menopause Monologues but most of all, reassuring to know you’re not alone. I know Andrea really well and her story is extraordinary. She’s been beating the drum about menopause for a long time which we need more of – we deserve the space to share our experiences.”
Despite suffering a knock to her self-esteem, Anna admits she’s gradually regaining confidence. She explains, “As a maturing woman in the workplace, you can feel a bit irrelevant and not taken seriously – especially by younger people around you and men. That can hit you, but you end up developing a thicker skin. You care less and feel confident in your opinion.”
She’s tried various forms of HRT as well as functional medicine and says she’s seen “every menopause specialist going” in a bid to learn as much as she can. She’s given up red meat and made other lifestyle tweaks. She says, “You can’t metabolise carbohydrates or alcohol as well when you’re menopausal. I’ve cut down and I try to be careful around sugar, even though often it’s the one thing you want to give you energy! I hugely enjoy the outdoors and I’m a believer in green therapy, so I try to get outside as much as possible.”
Despite the gruelling symptoms she’s faced, and testament to her upbeat nature, Anna refuses to dwell on the negatives.She says, “It is helpful to seek out positives. When you get into your fifties, there is a realisation that you have the second half of your life to live, and you ask yourself, ‘What do I want to achieve?’ I’ve spoken to older women who’ve reassured me that you will get your energy, your sex drive and clarity of thought back. It’s a long rite of passage, but you will come out the other side.”
After celebrating her 52nd birthday last week, Anna hopes her fifties will mark a new chapter that will see her fulfil her dream to become a mum. She was in an 18-year relationship with TV producer Charles Martin, then dated comedian and TV presenter Sue Perkins for seven years before they split in May. And she admits she’s determined to find love again.
“I wake up every morning thinking time is running out. I’ve never had children, and I’ve never been married,” she admits. “I’m very clear that I want to be in a stable relationship, get married and start a family eventually. I’ve started those baby steps by looking at adoption. I’ve also thought about whether I would want to go down the surrogacy route, or if I would want an egg donor and sperm donor. At 52, I know I’m over the hill for it, but there are so many options.
“I’ve got a thrilling career, where each day is different and I meet so many people, but my therapist reminded me that the greatest adventure is the one that takes place behind closed doors, when you go home to a person who loves you and to a family you’ve created together. It totally resonated with me. It’s the one thing I haven’t done yet, but I’m hopeful it’ll happen.”
Anna Richardson is opening up about her experiences of the menopause as part of the Boots and No7 Menopause Monologues. Visit the menopause support hub on boots.com for more products, services and advice.