Dame Kelly Holmes has revealed she is in 'constant pain' as she battles symptoms of the perimenopause.
The Loose Women presenter, 52, says she is 'in denial' of her age as she experiences changes to her body that are 'killing her' at the moment.
Kelly, who opened up about her mental health struggles earlier this year, admits she's 'not happy' about some of the perimenopause symptoms, like hot flushes at night, but is doing all she can to combat them.
"I think perimenopause is killing me at the moment. As much as I’m in denial, it definitely has had an effect on my body," the double Olympic champion
Dame Kelly Holmes says it's tough as an athlete to see your body change (Getty Images)She described her symptoms to the PA news agency "as body aches, pains, like constant pain throughout the body, feeling lethargic".
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"Last week, I started getting the sweats, which I’m not happy about, only at night. I’m thinking ‘This isn’t good’. And it makes you more irritable. You feel like you’re not yourself," the 52-year-old added.
Kelly - who retired from professional athletics in 2005 after doing the historic double by taking Olympic gold in both the 800m and 1500m in Athens - said the perimenopause is particularly tough "as someone who is in tune with their body".
"I think I’m in denial of age completely," the sports star admitted.
Perimenopause is the transitional period before menopause, when women’s hormone levels start to change, but before their periods have stopped for a full 12 months – therefore reaching menopause. The NHS says perimenopause usually starts between 45 and 55.
Kelly isn't happy about some of the symptoms of perimenopause (Getty Images)
But the retired athlete is using exercise to 'combat it' the best she can (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)During the perimenopause, hormone levels change and ovaries start to produce fewer eggs. Symptoms can include hot flushes and night sweats, headaches, dizziness, aches and pains, joint and muscle pain, and difficulty sleeping.
"Doing some exercise is really important for people with perimenopause," said Dame Kelly. “You do as much as you can to combat it, so I go in the gym.”
She does three to four weights sessions a week and some running – although with a recent history of back problems she is careful not to overdo it.
"But sometimes I feel so knackered, it’s easy just to not do it. I give myself more rest these days than I’ve ever given, because I think that’s really important.
Kelly wants to highlight the mental toll the menopause has on people too (Getty Images Europe)"I take magnesium because I’m now sweating so I don’t want to get cramps. I’m thinking about upping my proteins," she added.
Mental health is less often discussed when it comes to perimenopause and menopause.
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But Dame Kelly, who has been open about her own past mental health struggles, said: "The one thing with the hormonal changes – and men get it as well at certain ages – hormonal changes in the body can really affect your mental health.
"And I think women have to understand how so connected and interconnected your mental and physical health (are), because if one is not in tune, the other one will be affected, whatever way around that is.
“When you feel your body’s a mess, that’s going to affect your head. But if you go into the gym or you go and do some exercises, at least you are doing it knowing that you’re benefiting yourself by doing it – even if those changes are still happening."
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