The Importance of Your Partner's Support During Menopause

Penny Lancaster has never shied away from discussing how menopause has affected her life. In a candid new interview, she detailed some of its horrific effects and how her husband, Rod Stewart, helped her through it.

A Breaking Point

Speaking to the Times, the Loose Women star explained an incident that highlighted her struggle: "I picked up the plates and I threw them across the kitchen. Which is an outrageous thing to think of — who the hell would throw the dinner? I threw these plates of food across the kitchen as hard as I could, to make as much noise as I could. As if the noise… as if someone would wake up, someone would notice me, someone would have the answer."

Lancaster described feeling desperate for attention and solutions during this outburst. Her husband, Rod Stewart, responded by telling their two sons, Alastair and Aiden, to "leave mummy" and go into another room as he comforted her, urging her to seek medical attention.

Misdiagnosis and Misunderstanding

However, Lancaster’s initial visit to the GP resulted in a misdiagnosis. She was prescribed antidepressants, which only gave her a general apathy towards life. She also considered whether she was suffering from COVID-19, experiencing symptoms like her blood feeling like it was boiling before suddenly feeling freezing cold.

It was her co-stars from Loose Women who pointed out that she might be going through menopause. With their combined support and insight, Lancaster began to consider this possibility more seriously.

Rod Stewart’s Support

Rod Stewart has been incredibly supportive throughout Lancaster's experience with menopause. During an appearance on Loose Women in 2021, he shared how he tried to understand her situation better: "I googled and googled and googled. It said, 'Shut up and understand.' I mean, it's a fragile situation she was in."

Stewart found it frightening because Lancaster "really wasn't the person I married." However, they maintained open communication, which Stewart believes is crucial for any couple. "Men have got to get on with it, understand, and come out the other end," he said.

Finding the Right Treatment

In an exclusive interview with HELLO!, Lancaster shared how menopause initially left her feeling overwhelmed: "The menopause freaked me out at first. I thought: 'This is the end of the road. I'm not going to have any more sex appeal, I'm not going to be as lenient or forgiving.' I've got to say goodbye to the old Penny and say hello to the new one. I felt it was all shutting down around me."

She consulted a doctor who prescribed antidepressants, but she soon realized that while menopause symptoms can be mistaken for depression, this treatment wasn't right for her condition. It merely masked the symptoms rather than addressing the root cause.

Lancaster's journey underscores the importance of understanding and correctly diagnosing menopause. It's a significant life transition that can profoundly affect women physically and mentally. With the right support and treatment, it's possible to navigate this challenging time more effectively.