Penny Lancaster has revealed how she ended up on the floor “in a ball of sweat and tears”, describing a frightening health episode that left her “crying out for help” and desperate for answers. The TV star and wife of Sir Rod Stewart said the episode was so intense that she thought she was losing control, with her body and mind overwhelmed by panic.
At first, Penny Lancaster did not realise that the ordeal was linked to perimenopause and instead feared there was something seriously wrong with her mental health. She spoke of feeling trapped in a spiral of anxiety, exhaustion and fear that she struggled to explain, even to those closest to her.
Misdiagnosed and left “crying out for help”
Penny Lancaster has said that when she first went to her GP, her symptoms were dismissed and treated as depression rather than recognised as hormone-related. She recalled feeling invalidated and alone, saying she was effectively sent away with medication that did nothing to address the real problem.
That sense of being unheard intensified during the pandemic, when Lancaster’s symptoms escalated while she was at home, leaving her feeling as though she was “crying out for help” with nowhere to turn. She has since spoken about the shock of realising just how little support many women receive at the very time they are most vulnerable.
Menopause symptoms that “nearly broke” her
Penny Lancaster has explained that her menopause journey began with subtle changes that she initially put down to stress, busy family life and the pressures of lockdown. Over time, those changes morphed into intense hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, heart palpitations, anxiety and crushing fatigue that left her feeling like a different person.
She has said the experience “nearly broke” her, as she struggled with brain fog, loss of confidence and a sense that she was losing her identity. In interviews and podcast appearances, Lancaster has spoken emotionally about how hard it was to function as a mother, wife and professional while battling symptoms she could barely understand herself.
The moment everything made sense
A key turning point came when Penny Lancaster finally connected her symptoms to perimenopause and menopause and was given proper information and support. She has described the relief of realising that she was not “going mad” and that there was a clear medical explanation for what she was going through.
Access to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and specialist advice helped her regain stability, but she has also spoken about the frustration and fear caused by HRT shortages and inconsistent prescribing. Lancaster has said that no woman should have to beg for treatment or be left without medication that allows her to function.
Rod Stewart’s role and family impact
Penny Lancaster has praised Rod Stewart for standing by her through her most frightening moments, including the panic attacks and emotional meltdowns triggered by her symptoms. She has said that his willingness to learn about menopause and adjust to the changes it brought into their relationship made a vital difference.
The couple’s home life was inevitably affected, with Lancaster admitting she sometimes felt guilty for being short-tempered, withdrawn or overwhelmed around her children. She has since encouraged partners and families to educate themselves about menopause so they can offer practical support rather than taking symptoms personally.
From private struggle to public campaign
After coming through the worst of her health battle, Penny Lancaster decided to speak publicly to help other women recognise the signs and push for proper care. She has shared her story on programmes such as Loose Women and in dedicated campaigns, using her platform to normalise conversations about menopause.
Penny Lancaster has also backed initiatives such as Let’s Chat Menopause, urging employers, health services and the media to take women’s experiences seriously. She has emphasised that women should not be written off with antidepressants when their hormones and wider health need careful, joined-up attention.
Why her admission matters for other women
By revealing that she was “on the floor in a ball of sweat and tears”, Lancaster has put an unvarnished image to what can be an invisible struggle. Her story reflects what many women report: long waits for diagnosis, fears they are mentally unwell, and a fight to have their symptoms taken seriously.
Experts and campaign groups argue that stories like Lancaster’s are essential in shifting public understanding and forcing better training for GPs on menopause and perimenopause. Lancaster’s willingness to revisit her most painful moments has already helped to spark more honest discussion online and in workplaces across the UK.
A message of hope and solidarity
Penny Lancaster now frames her ordeal as a turning point that has given her a new purpose, both as a menopause advocate and as a reminder that strength can be rebuilt after a crisis. She has said that opening up, rather than hiding her distress, allowed her to get the right support and encouraged other women to do the same.
Her core message is that no woman should suffer in silence, dismiss her own pain or accept being brushed off when she knows something is wrong. By speaking up about her “cry for help”, Penny Lancaster has turned a private health battle into a powerful public call for change.
