BBC presenter Emma Barnett has revealed that experiencing perimenopause at the age of 38 left her feeling 'robbed' of her identity, admitting she is still waiting to 'come back' to her former self.
The Personal Struggle with Perimenopause
The journalist, now 40, opened up about this challenging transitional phase during her new BBC podcast, Ready To Talk with Emma Barnett. Speaking with guest Kate Thornton, Barnett made the startling confession that it was the 'first time in my life I haven't really wanted to be a woman'.
She elaborated on this profound shift in perspective, stating: 'It's the first time I've thought, I'd really quite like to be a bloke.' Barnett powerfully described her experience as a form of theft, saying: 'I do feel there has been a theft. I do feel there's no emergency number to call. I'd like to report a crime. Yeah, someone stole me. There is no one to report this to.'
Understanding Perimenopause and Its Impact
Perimenopause is the stage leading up to menopause when ovaries gradually produce less oestrogen, typically starting in a woman's 40s but sometimes as early as their 30s. This hormonal change can cause symptoms including irregular periods and hot flushes.
The average length of perimenopause is four years, though it can vary significantly between individuals. The phase ends when a woman reaches menopause, defined as the point when periods have stopped for 12 consecutive months.
Barnett expressed hope that 'the normalisation – which we both said needs to happen around perimenopause and this degradation of one's hormones that happens from … the age of 30s right through in women – can move into common parlance.'
Behind the Scenes at the BBC
This personal revelation comes months after Today Programme listeners noted apparent tension between Barnett and her co-presenter Nick Robinson during their first show together since reports of 'clashing egos' emerged.
In April, despite attempts to present 'business as usual', Radio 4 listeners detected an icy atmosphere between the pair. One observer commented on X: 'Loving the top banter between new besties Emma Barnett and Nick Robinson this morning…' accompanied by an image highlighting their seemingly hostile dynamic.
The Mail on Sunday had previously revealed that the Woman's Hour host had lodged a complaint about the Today Programme veteran, describing him as 'overbearing' when she joined the show in April last year. Sources indicated the matter was resolved with no action taken, blaming 'inevitable stresses and strains caused by the pairing of two strong characters'.
Before their last appearance together in mid-December, Barnett and Robinson – who earns up to £349,000 from the BBC – had shared the studio just three times in more than 150 days, well short of other presenter pairings on the flagship programme.
