Martine McCutcheon shared that she's been suffering with "crippling anxiety" as she opened up about her perimenopause symptoms on social media.
The former EastEnders actress, 46, detailed her struggles in a candid Instagram post on Sunday, where she said she's been having "hot flushes" and "brain fog" but reassured any of her followers who are going through a similar experience, telling them "you aren't alone".
Mum-of-one Martine, who shares son Rafferty, eight, with husband Jack McManus, posted a stunning selfie where she could be seen sporting minimal make-up while lying on a pillow along with a lengthy caption detailing her perimenopause struggle.
"Peri menopause symptoms… Such Fun!" she penned. "I have the hot flushes, the insomnia, the brain fog and fatigue … The list goes on doesn’t it?! And to be honest, having lived with M.E/CFS and fibro[myalgia] since my 20s, those symptoms seem to be something I can cope with… (touch wood!)".
Speaking about her anxiety, the actress continued: "However, what I’ve personally not heard mentioned as much, is the crippling anxiety you can get with the peri menopause.
"A kind of irrational anxiety that makes no sense whatsoever! You feel like you’ve lost your own damn mind! Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t seem to hear about this side of it as much".
Martine said she wanted to share her experience incase any fans were feeling the same or "scared or worried", and went on to admit she's not been feeling confident recently.
"I’m pleased to report after going through a phase of not even feeling confident enough to drive (That’s SO not me!) that I’m now feeling much better and I’m working my way back to my own 'normality'," she explained.
In a bid to combat her symptoms, Martine said she's now swapped from HRT patches to gel and feels this has made a "big difference" despite her initial doubts.
She told fans: "I changed from the HRT patches to the gel and it made a big difference within days for me… I was thinking maybe the HRT wasn’t going to work for me and I know many women who can’t use it, manage to find other ways to get through this phase comfortably.
"But the gel has really made a difference, so I’m feeling grateful for that – although I’ve also had a few anxious days again lately, so I’m still tweaking and working out the most efficient combo to be the best I can be.
"I’ve just had a brisk walk, I’ve meditated and I now feel much calmer and content. I’m sending any of you going through the peri meno/meno all my love, strength and the belief that you WILL be the true you again – With bells on… And that the best is yet to come! We can do this!"
Martine's followers flocked to support her, with many saying they're experiencing similar symptoms. One person wrote: "I hear you loud & clear! I’m a gel girl too!! Let’s discuss!"
A second said: "I feel you. I'm exactly the same and again like you I have fibro and an under active thyroid. Just so fed up with this me!!" while a third added: "Driving anxiety is awful i just can’t get through it."
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