Loose Women panellist Andrea McLean was on Lorraine Kelly’s morning chat show when she revealed that she fell pregnant while going through early-onset of menopause, which she calls ‘the change’.
Mum-of-two Andrea McLean was very surprised when she found out that she was pregnant with her second child aged 37.
Speaking to Scottish TV host Lorraine Andrea revealed, ‘I was 37 and the hot sweats started mainly at night. I ended up getting pregnant shortly afterwards... That can happen!’
Andrea is mum to 16-year-old Findlay from her first marriage to Nick Green and 11-year-old Amy from her second marriage to Steve Toms. She is now happily married to her third husband Nick Feeny.
Now 48, Andrea opened up about going into the menopause earlier than most other women. On average, women experience the menopause when they reach 45-55 years old.
Early menopause is known as premature ovarian insufficiency and affects around 1 in 100 women before they reach 40. Menopause symptoms can include hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings.
Andrea opened up about her experience of the menopause on Lorraine Kelly's chat show
Andrea had a hysterectomy in 2016 for medical reasons and explained that the menopause fully kicked in after this.
She said: ‘It kicked in properly at 42. I wasn't shocked because my mum's was 40, but obviously when I had my hysterectomy I nosedived off the hormonal cliff and became full on menopausal.'
The Loose Women panellist is determined to raise awareness about the menopause and break the taboo surrounding it. In fact, she explained to Lorraine that she is currently campaigning for menopausal women to get badges, like pregnant women, to notify pubic transport users.
Andrea said: 'I am thrilled that people are talking about it. It doesn't matter whether you agree, people are talking. Debates raise awareness, awareness means an exchange of information, that's been the problem till now, nobody talked about it.’
What do you think about the idea of a menopausal badge for public transport? Would you wear one? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below!
