‘I mistook the menopause for COVID-19'

Loose Women star Penny Lancaster admits going through ‘the change’ has been far tougher than she ever expected

- GEORGIA FARQUHARSON

For many women, going through the menopause can feel like the most alienating thing in the world, so it’s nice to know you’re in good company.

Loose Women’s Penny Lancaster is the latest celebrity to open up about her experience, and the TV presenter, 49, has confessed it’s been so ‘horrific’, she initially mistook the symptoms for COVID-19.

‘I’D JUST FOUND MY CALLING’

She told the Mail on Sunday, ‘I woke up sweating – horrific. I actually thought, “Is this COVID?” I had all the menopause symptoms – burning up, feeling wiped out, mood swings that are off the scale. I’ve wanted to scream.’