‘I want to eat all the time, which is a struggle’, shares Claire Sweeney (Image: Getty Images)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeClaire Sweeney has candidly discussed her journey through perimenopause, emphasising the importance of speaking out to dismantle the stigma surrounding this once-taboo subject. The 53 year old actress began experiencing symptoms in 2019, including anxiety, headaches and fatigue. “I’ve been lucky so far and I haven’t had hot sweats, but one thing I have had is a bit of anxiety, headaches and sometimes I feel lethargic,” she shares with us. “But it can be hard to know if it’s because of perimenopause or if it’s just life.” Claire certainly has a lot on her plate. She resides in London with her 10 year old son Jaxon, whom she co-parents with ex Daniel Reilly, and commutes to Manchester for her role as Cassie Plummer on Coronation Street.
Claire Sweeney has spoken about going through perimenopause
In addition to this, the actress, who is head over heels for former boxer Ricky Hatton, has also been grappling with an increased appetite. “My appetite has gone through the roof,” she continues. “I want to eat all the time, which is a struggle. But I make myself go to the gym and work out. As I’ve gotten older, I find I battle with my weight a bit more. When I was young, I could eat a lot more and do less exercise and stay thin, but now you eat a cake and it’s on your bum straight away! I think it’s an age thing.” Claire has confided in her pal, broadcaster Carol Vorderman – who has been open about her own menopausal experiences, and she recommended a doctor on Harley Street in London. “I spoke to him about it and he was great,” she recalls. “And then I also started speaking to a doctor in Manchester, who also works with some of the Coronation Street ladies.” She also consulted with a Manchester-based doctor who has worked with some of the Coronation Street cast. After professional consultations, Claire began using oestrogen gel, an HRT solution to combat menopausal symptoms.
Claire suffered from perioral dermatitis, an inflammatory skin rash
(Image: Instagram)
Claire exercises to help ease her symptoms
(Image: Instagram)
Sign up to OK!’s daily newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free “I wanted to get there early before it gets a grip of me,” she explained. “It’s good – it’s really helped me. I use it every day. I haven’t gone into menopause yet, I’m still getting periods, and I don’t know when I will. But I feel prepared.” Claire confessed she wasn’t well-versed in perimenopause or menopause until she faced it herself, recalling her mum’s struggle with intense sweating and mood swings. Thankfully, she hasn’t experienced severe hot sweats and is sleeping well. She’s now very open about it with those close to her, and loves that many women are now speaking freely about their experiences. “What I love now is that so many women are open about it and conversations are everywhere,” she says. “My friend is going through menopause, and we compare our symptoms. Everything is open. Before, it wasn’t transparent and people thought they were going through it on their own.”
Claire with former boxer Ricky Hatton
(Image: Instagram)
She credits menopause advocates like TV presenter Davina McCall with helping to break down the stigma surrounding the topic. “It’s becoming less taboo thanks to the likes of Davina, who has brought it to the front,” she says. “I also chat to Kate Thornton. It really is a wonderful thing that women are talking about it.” Her advice to those going through menopause is to remember that they’re not alone. “You’re not on your own. “Women are talking and there’s so much information out there, whether it’s in documentaries or articles. Talk to your friends. It’s such a transparent subject now. Whatever you do, don’t suffer in silence.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnClaire SweeneyCoronation StreetHealth
