Carol Vorderman has opened up on the ‘deep depression’ she felt in the early stages of menopause, which caused her to develop ‘suicidal’ thoughts at times.
Carol, 61, appeared on This Morning as a guest on the programme’s ‘Menopause Bus’ on Wednesday morning as it stopped off in the Welsh capital of Cardiff.
The presenter fronted segments from the bus throughout the programme alongside Dr Philippa Kaye and other special guests and members of the public.
With the aim of the initiative to get women to open up about their symptoms and methods of management to experts on board the vehicle, Carol shared her own difficult experience of experiencing ‘depression’ during menopause.
Carol explained that she began getting signs of menopause in her early 50s, but not ‘traditional’ symptoms associated such as night sweats.
She told Dr Philippa: ‘I started getting anxious, I’d never felt anxious before in my life.
‘I started feeling anxious, even about what sort of trousers I was going to wear, was I going to have a tea or a coffee?’
Carol admitted things only got worse, continuing: ‘This developed into a deep depression, and I mean, a deep depression.
‘I felt suicidal at times, for many months.’
What ‘saved’ the TV presenter was by keeping a diary on her phone of dates she was experiencing her periods.
‘That helped me analyse that. I started on a bespoke HRT (hormone replacement therapy) and within 48 hours, literally within two days, I felt back to normal.
‘I have never had a symptom since. It is wonderful,’ she told viewers.
Other stars to have taken part in the campaign include main presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, as well as Lisa Snowdon.
Martin Frizell, This Morning Editor, previously said: ‘This Morning takes great pride in what support and advice we offer to our viewers and for this bus to not only raise awareness on its travels it will be helping so many with the advice it can offer across the nation too.
‘I’m hugely proud of the team involved and thankful to Boots for supporting this important campaign too.’
Need support? Contact the Samaritans
For emotional support you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.