In recent years there has been much more open discussion and media coverage of the perimenopause and POI with high profile names telling their stories and helping other women know they are not alone in their journey.

We have been fortunate to work with two wonderful women who fall into the above categories.

Michelle Heaton singer/writer/TV personality.

Michelle Heaton came to the attention of the public in the hit ITV1 show Pop Stars in 2001, the show that produced the Brit award-winning band Liberty X. The Big Reunion brought the band back together in 2013 and Michelle is still touring with Kelli and Jessica as a trio. This critically acclaimed TV show also earned Michelle her first Bafta nomination – her second came in the Constructed Reality and Factual category for her role in the Real Full Monty; Ladies Night. This was watched by an audience of 5 million and the awards kept coming, including an UK Emmy award for this show. 

Around the same time as the show was being recorded, Michelle released her first book – Hot Flush; Motherhood the Menopause and Me. This was an incredibly tough and emotional write for her but a proud moment detailing Michelle’s journey into early menopause. This happened following preventative surgery made necessary due to the BRCA cancer gene and her family history. Determined not to let this define her, Michelle follows her own fitness regime that helps her keep positive, fit and healthy. 

Michelle has been very supportive of Fifty One Apparel from the early days of our business and we will be forever grateful for the kindness and professionalism she showed working with us.

Hayley Cockman

Hayley Cockman recently appeared on the Channel 4 Show Sex, Myths and the Menopause as the voice of a woman who suffered POI ( primary ovarian insufficiency), her story is inspiring as to how she came to terms with the onset of the menopause at the age of 14. At the age of 12 she started her periods, as is normal for a teenage girl, but after a year these stopped and she began to suffer from sweats and her general health began to suffer. Weeks later it was confirmed by a consultant that she had gone through her menopause.

Her story is made the more remarkable because that was the last time she saw her consultant and she is now 40. It is hard to imagine a teenager and her family having to manage this situation with neither help nor advice to navigate their way through this emotional journey. A girl so young being faced with so many obstacles physically and mentally is difficult to imagine.

Fortunately things are changing and there are networks out there who offer support, the  Daisy Network addresses all items related to POI, but more importantly it is essential that we improve levels of education on this subject to help young women and their families cope and for us all to have an understanding of what POI means.

Hayley decided to open up and tell her story only 12 months ago and she is certainly making an impact. She has been a fantastic example of how a fighting spirit overcomes adversity.

For further help and support please check https://www.daisynetwork.org/