Lottie Ryan Shares Her Perimenopause Journey to Raise Awareness

Lottie Ryan has opened up about her experience with perimenopause, revealing how the hormonal changes left her feeling overwhelmed. The broadcaster and presenter discussed her journey during a recent appearance on The Six O’Clock Show, where she emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge on this often-misunderstood phase of women’s health.

During the show, Ryan described how a conversation with her mother, Morah Ryan, prompted her to visit her general practitioner. According to the Health Service Executive (HSE), perimenopause refers to the transitional period leading up to menopause, during which women may experience symptoms for up to ten years before their menstrual cycles cease completely.

Ryan expressed that her lack of understanding about perimenopause initially left her feeling “floored.” She stated, “I didn’t know anything about it. I was completely uneducated about perimenopause, menopause — just actually female hormone health in general.” Her openness about her struggles reflects a growing movement to normalize discussions around women’s health issues.

Encouraging Open Conversations

The presenter shared her realization that many women may feel similarly confused or embarrassed about their experiences. She mentioned that the stigma surrounding terms like “perimenopause” often leads to misconceptions. “When we hear those words, I used to think of like, the cat lady in The Simpsons. Cobwebs,” she recalled, highlighting the need for a broader understanding of the topic.

Ryan aims to change the narrative by encouraging women to discuss their experiences openly. “We should be like that about perimenopause and menopause,” she stated. “It’s going to come knocking on all our doors, and I just wanted to kind of try and get the conversation going.”

Since beginning her own conversations about perimenopause, Ryan has found that many women are relieved to share their experiences. “Now I have started that conversation with the women in my life. Even just the girls in the office or my mates and suddenly people are going, ‘That’s happening to you? Oh, I thought it was just me,'” she remarked.

Social Media Response

A clip of Lottie’s appearance on Virgin Media quickly gained attention on social media, where viewers praised her for her candidness. One user commented, “Fair play @lottieryan1 so brilliant to be raising awareness on this,” while another added, “Such an important conversation, fair play on being so open and honest, this will help so many women.”

Ryan’s willingness to discuss her personal journey not only raises awareness but also fosters a sense of community among women experiencing similar challenges. By sharing her story, she hopes to empower others to seek support and engage in important discussions about perimenopause and menopause.

Through her efforts, Lottie Ryan is helping to break down barriers and create a more informed dialogue surrounding women’s health, encouraging others to voice their experiences and seek help when needed.