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Denise Lewis mistook these symptoms for perimenopause
There are lots of stories of women mistaking menopause for other things: Emma Bunton mistook her perimenopause symptoms for pandemic anxiety, for example. However, in the case of Olympic gold medalist, Denise Lewis, it was the other way round, as she mistook her pregnancy for the onset of perimenopause.
The Sydney 2000 gold medal-winning heptathlete found out she was pregnant again at 46, after initially believing it was the beginning of menopause when her body began rejecting alcohol.
Denise, now 48, thinks fourth child Troy may have even delayed the onset of the menopause.
As the sports presenter told the White Wine Question Time podcast: 'I’m actually dreading [the menopause]. I think Troy might have delayed my onsets. I did think I might be perimenopausal rather than pregnant.'
She revealed to podcast host, Kate Thornton that she was on a plane flying back from Australia at the time of the confusion: 'I was travelling in business class. It was very nice and I thought "this is my opportunity to really go through all the wines and the spirits". No such joy.'
'The first glass of wine I tried tasted revolting, "Sorry, can I change it?". Second... then I went on to champagne next... and I couldn’t drink a thing. The cogs started turning – "Why is my body rejecting alcohol? What’s wrong with me?" Troy was being formed.'
The star then announced her pregnancy via Twitter in July 2018, telling followers: 'Well Twitter friends, I haven’t let myself go. I’m eating for two. Excited and a little nervous even though I have been here before, but hoping for a healthy and trouble free pregnancy.'
Well Twitter friends, I haven’t let myself go 😂 I’m eating for two 🤰🏾. Excited and a little nervous even though I have been here before, but hoping for a healthy and trouble free pregnancy 🤞🏾#number4 #oldermom #babynews ☺️ pic.twitter.com/CBeeIRnoOy
— Denise Lewis (@RealDeniseLewis) July 30, 2018
Denise is already a mum of three, sharing two sons Ryan, 12, and Kane, nine, with her husband Steve Finan O'Connor, and teenage daughter Lauryn, 16, from her first marriage to Patrick Stevens.
Listen to the full White Wine Question Time podcast episode here
For information on perimenopause and menopause visit the NHS website or visit your GP if you're struggling any of the issues mentioned in this feature.
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