Gemma Collins has reached out to her followers for support as she grapples with the challenges of perimenopause. The reality TV star, known for her appearances on I'm A Celebrity: South Africa, has been candid about her symptoms, particularly her declining memory.
Perimenopause Struggles
Taking to Instagram, the 45-year-old expressed her frustration: "PERI MENOPAUSE SUCKS !!!!! I've lost two sets of car keys in one week and I do not know for the life of me where I put them… I can't remember nothing it's bizarre! And it's like an out of body experience my mind is normally very sharp!" She pleaded for help, asking, "Is there any help for this and can someone who's got the witchy powers please help me find my keys!"
Gemma urged her fans to "send help," adding that she was "having a moment." Supporters quickly responded with advice, suggesting Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) or exercise as coping mechanisms. Tanya Bardsley, 45, from The Real Housewives of Cheshire, shared her empathy, commenting, "I feel ya hunny."
Understanding Perimenopause
Perimenopause is the transitional phase before menopause, during which the ovaries produce less oestrogen. It typically begins in a woman's forties and can cause irregular periods, hot flushes, night sweats, and memory or concentration issues, according to NHS guidelines. A source close to Gemma revealed that her symptoms have hit her hard: "Gemma is quite emotional at the minute. She keeps herself very busy with work, but the perimenopause is something that is troubling her. She's losing her keys, her memory, she's up and down with her emotions… it seems to have hit her quite hard."
Previous Health Revelations
Gemma first discussed her perimenopause ordeal last November, telling followers she felt "a bit off lately" and urged women to listen to their bodies. She also suffers from Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS). She described unusual symptoms like itchy ears and fatigue, saying, "I was just like, I feel like there's something not right with my hormones." Aside from forgetfulness, she has mentioned other side effects, including irritation at her fiancé Rami Hawash's eating sounds. "My partner knows when to stop chewing so I don't kick off. It irritates the hell out of me," she said. She has also experienced low libido and tiredness, but memory loss has been the most troubling.
Coping Mechanisms
Gemma has joked about putting name tags on her partner and dogs because she "can't remember what they're called any more." Her perimenopause symptoms also made her return to the I'm A Celebrity jungle tougher, as she would wake up bursting into tears. "I've got nothing to be sad about, but it's a very strange thing. One of my first symptoms was itching in the inner ear," she recalled.
Upcoming Projects and Personal Life
Gemma is currently filming her own reality show, Four Weddings And A Baby, for Sky, which follows her journey to marriage and motherhood. At the start of 2026, she expressed hopes of getting married and having a baby. Despite three miscarriages and a long battle with infertility, she is pursuing IVF. She admitted the show captures her emotional roller coaster, saying, "You see me broken. It's not all plain sailing. It's very raw."
According to the source, Gemma copes by talking about perimenopause but finds some days tough. "She's foggy-headed and there's a build-up of emotions. There's a lot on her shoulders at the minute, so Gemma's looking forward to a bit of a break and taking a holiday this summer. She also wants to get stuck into wedding planning. She won't let anything destroy this."
