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Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Mollie Quirk

The Apprentice's Karren Brady says Davina McCall reached out to her with menopause tips

The Apprentice 's Karren Brady has revealed that fellow TV star Davina McCall reached out to her after reading in an interview that she was suffering from debilitating menopause symptoms.

Business executive Karren had opened up about her own experience in numerous publications as she backed the Menopause Workplace Pledge campaign.

Following her honest admission, Karren, 52, was contacted by Masked Singer judge Davina, 54, who is a campaigning ambassador for The Menopause Charity, with some helpful tips and the encouragement to start HRT.

Speaking to this week's Closer magazine, Karren explained that her mum initially said to her: "Oh, back in our day we used to just get on with it," Karren then said: "But just because they used to get on with it, doesn't mean that we have to! There are things you can do and things you can take to improve symptoms."

The star continued: "Actually, Davina McCall reached out to me, she said, 'I've read you're going through the menopause. What help do you need?' She recommended HRT."

Detailing her symptoms to the magazine, Karren explained how she's been experiencing hot flushes, lack of sleep, waking up in the night, "and all of that crap."

She also said that the menopause "needs to have more discussion and prominence in the workplace as women are suffering" – a cause she feels incredibly passionate about.

The star is planning to start HRT in the near future (WireImage)

"Over the years it's been one of those things that women don't really like to talk about because it signifies you're getting old.

"But it's a subject that we all really need to talk about so people can understand the symptoms and have a bit of empathy, while also encouraging women to do something about it and get support and the help they need to get through it."

According to the NHS, "the menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally."

It is a natural part of ageing that usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age, when a woman's oestrogen levels decline.

HRT or hormone replacement therapy is a treatment to relieve symptoms of the menopause, and aims to replace the hormones that are decreasing during this stage.

Karren also spoke to MailOnline back at the beginning of January, when she spoke again of the symptoms she had experienced.

She revealed that she started the menopause after The Apprentice had finished filming, so she didn't have any effects during. Telling the publication: "So other than the hot flushes and forgetting the occasional thing – I'm ok at the minute, but I suspect it's going to get a hell of a lot worse, before it gets any better."

Karren is known for starring on The Apprentice as one of Lord Sugar's aides (PA)

And taking to Instagram last October, Karren posted a snap of herself looking incredibly chic, with a very relatable caption for so many of her followers.

Karren penned: "The menopause is not a topic you would expect a member of the Royal Family to talk about, but it is an issue the Countess of Wessex has taken up after becoming patron of Wellbeing of Women.

She continued: Speaking during a virtual roundtable event to launch the campaign Sophie said: 'Women having to leave the workplace because of the menopause is tragic. We are fabulous in our 40s, and we are even more fabulous in our 50s, 60s and 70s and we need to celebrate that and keep opportunities going for women'.

"That's why I’m backing the #MenopauseWorkplacePledge campaign! Three in four women will experience menopause symptoms and for some, managing these at work can be a real struggle."

For more information about the campaign that Karren is backing, check out Wellbeing Of Women's Menopause Workplace Pledge.

And for information about going through the menopause, check out The Menopause Charity or the Balance Menopause Support App.

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033.

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