Gemma Collins, 44, confirms she’s in perimenopause after opening up on her fertility battle and her wish to become a parent

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Gemma Collins has confirmed she’s in perimenopause in a new Instagram post on Tuesday. 

The 44-year-old TV star, who has often spoken openly about wanting to become a mother, recently told her fans she consulted with doctors because she hadn’t been feeling quite herself. She encouraged other women to pay attention to their own health and listen to what their bodies are telling them.

In a video clip, she said: ‘Hi guys, so I wanted to share with you a journey I’ve been on. 

I’ve been experiencing some strange symptoms lately, like itchy ears and feeling more tired than normal.

I’ve been feeling like my hormone levels might be off. I’m 44, and I know perimenopause can start at any time, so I’ve been a little concerned.

I’m incredibly relieved and happy to have finally connected with the Voy care team. It’s a huge weight off my shoulders.

She spoke highly of her doctor, Dr. Sally, explaining that their conversations were incredibly reassuring and helped calm her worries.

She’s been amazing; I felt completely comfortable asking her for help. I told her I just haven’t been feeling quite myself lately.

Oh my gosh, Dr. Sally is just incredible! She totally put my mind at ease – honestly, the care I received was top-notch. For the first time, I felt like she really listened to me as a woman, and understood what I was going through. And she sent me a home blood test kit! I’m so excited to do it, it feels like a huge step forward and I completely trust her guidance.

She shared a video with a caption saying she wanted to document her experience with perimenopause, emphasizing that no one should have to go through it feeling isolated.

I hadn’t been feeling quite myself recently, so I contacted the wonderful team at @voymenopause. Dr. Sally was incredibly helpful and really reassured me. I finally feel like someone understands and is supporting me.

Women, trust your instincts and pay attention to what your body is telling you. Support is available, and it’s possible to improve how you feel.

As someone who’s been following this closely, I understand that perimenopause, according to the NHS, is basically the stage where you start feeling the effects of menopause – things like hot flashes or mood swings – but you’re still getting your periods. It’s that transition period before menopause actually begins.

Perimenopause ends, and you reach menopause when you have not had a period for 12 months.

As a lifestyle expert, I often talk to women going through menopause and perimenopause, and one thing I see frequently is shifts in their emotional wellbeing. It’s really common to experience mood swings, and many women also find it harder to remember things or stay focused. It’s all part of what’s happening with hormonal changes, and knowing it’s normal can be a huge relief!

Many people experience physical changes like hot flashes, trouble sleeping, a racing heart, headaches or migraines, muscle and joint pain, skin changes, and a lower sex drive. Other common symptoms include frequent urinary tract infections and increased tooth sensitivity.

Gemma has openly discussed her desire to become a mother, and has previously revealed she experienced multiple miscarriages. She also shared that doctors once recommended she end a pregnancy involving a baby with ambiguous genitalia.

The TV star recently shared that she and her fiancé, Rami, were exploring surrogacy after having trouble getting pregnant naturally. She also mentioned she had thought about fostering, inspired by her own mother’s experience being fostered as a child.

She has low AMH levels, indicating a limited egg supply. She also has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that impacts her ovaries.

Gemma and her fiancé, Rami, announced their engagement last year and have shared details about their wedding plans. They’re planning not one, but three separate wedding celebrations!

Oh my gosh, she’s planning three weddings! Can you believe it? She said she wants a big, main ceremony right here in the UK, then another one somewhere amazing abroad, and then a super formal, intimate wedding just for her closest family and friends. It’s going to be epic, I just know it!

Staying true to her glamorous reputation, she also revealed she’s planning on wearing multiple wedding dresses for the various celebrations.

Gemma has been open about past fertility struggles and has previously suffered three miscarriages.

In 2012, she experienced a deeply painful loss. She didn’t share what happened publicly until 2020, when she found the courage to talk about it.

The reality star was unaware she was pregnant when she unexpectedly gave birth at home. Sadly, the baby passed away shortly after birth, right in front of her.

Gemma suffered her second pregnancy loss in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just months later, in July 2020, Gemma heartbreakingly suffered another miscarriage after becoming pregnant with her ex-boyfriend James Argent’s child. This was her third loss.

Gemma is determined to have a child and still thinks about her miscarriage daily.

Even though she’s had difficulties getting pregnant, the celebrity shared last October that she’s considering becoming a foster parent.

Gemma recently reconnected with relatives she hadn’t seen in a long time on the TV show Who Do You Think You Are? Her mother, Joan, was raised in foster care.

Gemma shared that discovering her family on the show brought her a sense of wholeness and inspired her to help children, especially because a national fostering organization recently highlighted a critical need for more caregivers.

She said: ‘There’s a lot of love I could give. I always make a good dinner.’#

‘There are so many rooms that are spare across London and the UK’, she added.

She’s been very honest about her struggles to get pregnant and has made significant changes to her lifestyle, hoping to improve her chances.

Gemma has recently said that losing weight – going from a size 26 to a 20 – has finally helped her overcome years of difficulties with her weight, and feels like a turning point.

Gemma shared with OK! Magazine that she’s motivated to get in shape before starting a family. She explained she doesn’t want to be overweight as a mother, not because there’s anything wrong with those who are, but because she wants to be able to actively play with her child.

I want to have plenty of energy and be my best self for my child.

She shared that she’s always faced challenges, and conceiving a child was no different. She described herself as someone who has always had to work hard for everything she achieves.

I also struggle with fertility, and I talk about it because a lot of people have reached out to me who are experiencing similar challenges.

She stated that she overcame her polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by following the dietary advice of Steve Bennett.

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a frequent hormonal disorder in women that can cause problems with their ovaries. This can make it hard to become pregnant because it often leads to irregular or absent periods.

Gemma previously shared with Daily Mail that working with Steve helped her overcome her Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). She no longer has the condition, which brings her closer to her goal of having a baby.

I visited a fertility clinic, and I was originally planning to begin fertility treatments in September. However, I’m now wondering if I even need them, as I’m hoping to get pregnant naturally. Also, my thyroid has improved – it’s no longer underactive, which is a positive step.

I’ve been bullied for years because of my weight, and it’s really hurtful. I try to be active, but it feels like nothing I do matters to them.

Finally, this diet feels different – I don’t have to push myself with intense workouts, and it’s about enjoying more food instead of restricting it.

Gemma has suffered from PCOS since she was 28 years old, which is when she started to gain weight.

The NHS states that PCOS cannot be cured, but the symptoms can be managed.

For women who are overweight, losing weight can significantly reduce PCOS symptoms and lower their chances of developing long-term health issues related to the condition.

Weight loss of just 5 per cent can lead to a significant improvement in PCOS.

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2025-11-25 20:05