‘I have my down days’: Michelle Heaton gets real about going through menopause at 35

 

Michelle Heaton has opened up about going through menopause at the age of 35, and the emotional toll it took on her as a young mother.

 

The former Liberty X singer was speaking out in support of a new trial aimed at bringing a more accurate breast screening programme to the NHS.

 

Michelle – who is mum to five-year-old Faith, and three-year-old Aaron – underwent a hysterectomy and double mastectomy, after discovering that she was a carrier for the BRCA2 gene. This gave her an elevated risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

 

While the procedure likely saved Michelle’s life, it brought on early menopause – and it was the emotional side of the condition that affected her the most.

 

In an interview with the Daily Mail, the 37-year-old revealed: “Early menopause at 35 has hardly been fun. I have my down days where I feel really low. I feel so tired and lethargic, and I can’t seem to snap myself out of it.”

 

 

A post shared by Michelle Heaton (@wonderwomanshel) on Jul 8, 2017 at 1:50am PDT

 

Michelle, who has been married to Hugh Hanley for seven years, ended up turning to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help her through.

 

“You don’t fully realise how depressed you are at the time until you’ve been able to pick yourself up eventually, and you look back at it.

 

“I’m lucky that I haven’t suffered the physical symptoms – for me, it’s had a big emotional impact.”

 

We’re sure there are many people in Michelle’s shoes who can relate to her experience and comments.

 

While the mum-of-two has gone through a major life change, she admitted that “it was all worth it to beat cancer”.

 

 

A post shared by Michelle Heaton (@wonderwomanshel) on Jul 7, 2017 at 8:00am PDT

 

Michelle has always spoken candidly about this time in her life, and has often grown emotional when discussing the topic.

 

In a previous interview, she opened up about what losing her womb meant for her.

 

“A hysterectomy isn’t just about giving up the chance to have more children…It’s about giving up my womanhood,” she explained.

 

“Everything that’s going to go is everything that sets me apart from a man. It’s a heart-breaking and life-changing decision.”

 

Fair play to Michelle for speaking out on this subject – we’re sure it will help so many women out there.