‘We're failing women...'

Davina McCall on why she’s determined to get people talking about the menopause

- TESS LAMACRAFT

Davina McCall is one of the most open and honest stars on TV. And now the popular presenter and fitness queen is embarking on a mission to challenge society’s reluctance to discuss the menopause by using her own experiences and science to break the taboos in a new C4 documentary.

‘I was 44 when I experienced my first hot flush,’ recalls Davina, who turned 53 in October.

‘It crossed my mind it could be something to do with the menopause, but then I thought, “It can’t be. I’m too young!”’

Davina began hiding other symptoms associated with the perimenopause and menopause – including depression, anxiety and brain fog – from her friends and colleagues before deciding to try hormone replacement therapy (HRT). In a new hour-long programme, Davina McCall: Sex, Myths and the Menopause, the mum-of-three also meets women from various walks of life who share their personal experiences of the menopausal transition.

Here, Davina tells us more…

Why did you want to make this documentary? Was the subject matter close to your heart?