PE Nation founder and Bondi-It girl Pip Edwards has spoken for the first time about the private health battle she’s been fighting for years.
Speaking to Stellar magazine this week, the 42-year-old said her life was turned upside down almost three years ago after she was diagnosed with perimenopause
Menopause is the natural time in a woman’s life when she has gone 12 months without a menstrual period.
The term perimenopause refers to the transition phase into menopause and can include symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, reduced fertility, and sleep problems.
Most Australian women enter perimenopause in their mid-40s and then start menopause between the ages of 45 and 60.
Pip Edwards, 42, told Stellar magazine she’s opened up about her private health issues, revealing she was diagnosed with perimenopause almost three years ago. (Pip is pictured in a Stellar photoshoot this week)
Pip, who developed symptoms in her late thirties, recalled being caught out by a severe hot flash while attending her 16-year-old son Justice’s basketball game.
“I had to go outside and was literally insane trying to undress. I thought that’s not right!’ said the mother-of-one, adding that she was so overwhelmed she was moved to tears.
Pip said she “didn’t notice” her symptoms before as she was too focused on maintaining her fitness, growing her business and raising her only child, Justice, who she shares with Ex Dan Single.
Pip, who developed symptoms in her late thirties, recalled being caught out by a severe hot flash while attending her 16-year-old son Justice’s basketball game
Pip soon discovered that her mother was also going through an early menopause and decided to visit a fertility clinic to freeze her eggs.
Tragically, she was unable to undergo the procedure as egg freezing was banned due to Covid rules preventing elective surgery.
She was also unable to delay menopause with hormone replacement therapy due to the severity of her symptoms.
“I had to go outside and was literally insane trying to undress. I thought that’s not right!’ said the mother-of-one, adding that she was so overwhelmed she was moved to tears.
What are Perimenopause Symptoms?
Irregular periods
As ovulation becomes more unpredictable, the time between periods may be longer or shorter, your blood flow may be light to heavy, and you may miss some periods. If you have a persistent change in the length of your menstrual cycle by seven days or more, you may be in early perimenopause. If your periods are 60 days or more apart, you are probably in late perimenopause.
hot flashes and sleep disturbances
Hot flashes are common during perimenopause. The intensity, length and frequency vary. Sleep problems are often due to hot flashes or night sweats, but sometimes sleep becomes unpredictable even without them.
mood swings
Mood swings, irritability, or an increased risk of depression may occur during perimenopause. The cause of these symptoms can be sleep disturbances associated with hot flashes. Mood swings can also be caused by factors unrelated to the hormonal changes of perimenopause.
Vaginal and bladder problems. When estrogen levels decrease, your vaginal tissues can lose lubricity and elasticity, making intercourse painful. Low estrogen levels can also make you more prone to urinary or vaginal infections. Loss of tissue tone can contribute to urinary incontinence.
Declining fertility
When ovulation becomes irregular, your ability to conceive decreases. However, pregnancy is still possible as long as you have your period. If you want to avoid pregnancy, use birth control until you have not had a period for 12 months.
changes in sexual function
During perimenopause, sexual arousal and desire can change. But if you had satisfactory sexual intimacy before menopause, it’s likely to continue into perimenopause and beyond.
loss of bones
As estrogen levels drop, you lose bone faster than you replace it, increasing your risk of osteoporosis — a disease that causes brittle bones.
change in cholesterol levels
Declining estrogen levels can lead to unfavorable changes in your blood cholesterol levels, including increases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol—the “bad” cholesterol—which contributes to an increased risk of heart disease. At the same time, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol – the “good” cholesterol – decreases in many women as they age, which also increases the risk of heart disease.
Source: Mayo Clinic
By the time she was taken off hold for the procedure, it was too late.
“I was absolutely shocked because I would never consider it [carrying another child] not be an option. I am healthy. I’m fit. I’m in the prime of my life,” she lamented.
“If I had known my family history better, or had conversations, I might have started preparing my options for the life I choose in my early 30s.”
“I was absolutely shocked because I would never consider it [carrying another child] not be an option. I am healthy. I’m fit. I’m in the prime of my life,” she lamented
“I had to go outside and was literally insane trying to undress. I thought that’s not right!’ said the mother-of-one, adding that she was so overwhelmed she was moved to tears.
Pip said she is now fully focused on her health and is no less concerned about recent scandals, including her ex Michael Clarke’s Noosa showdown with his new girlfriend Jade Yarbrough.
When asked if Michael apologized to her for dragging her into the saga, Pip simply said it wasn’t “relevant”.
She also said the “hardest thing” about the aftermath was having to deal with her health battle behind closed doors.
Pip said she “didn’t notice” her symptoms before as she was too focused on maintaining her fitness, growing her business and raising her only child, Justice (left), who she shares with Ex Dan Single.
Pip was seen putting on a brave face as she emerged from Sydney on Friday, a day before her Stellar interview went to press
Pip said she is now fully focused on her health and is no less concerned about recent scandals, including her ex Michael Clarke’s Noosa showdown with his new girlfriend Jade Yarbrough. (Pictured: Pip and Michael in happier times)
“There are bigger things that are more concerning, that have more meaning to talk about, other than the circus that was. It took [the focus] away from the big picture of life and what is really real – and that’s my business and work and my son.’
Extraordinary footage of a heated argument between Michael and Jade while vacationing in Noosa emerged in January.
Also involved in the stoush were Channel 9’s Today Show host Karl Stefanovic and his wife Jasmine – Jade’s sister.
Extraordinary footage of a heated argument between Michael and Jade while vacationing in Noosa emerged in January. (Pictured: Michael and Jade in happier times)
In the video, which was shot by a viewer on January 10 and later sold to The Daily Telegraph for $10,000, Jade accused Michael of cheating on her with his ex Pip on December 17.
The dramatic footage showed a shirtless Michael being yelled at and hit by his hysterical girlfriend.
Michael tried to reassure Jade that he hadn’t cheated on her and swears on the life of his young daughter Kelsey Lee that he was with Bell on the night in question last December.
A remorseful Clarke has since accepted full responsibility for what happened.
“I am absolutely disappointed that I have brought into this position people I value most in this position. My actions leading up to this altercation were downright shameful and regrettable,” he said.
“I’m devastated that my actions have drawn women of class and integrity and my buddies into this situation.”
In the video, which was shot by a viewer on January 10 and later sold to The Daily Telegraph for $10,000, Jade accused Michael of cheating on her with his ex Pip on December 17
Edwards also issued a statement on the night the footage was released.
“It’s not my circus. Once again, Michael in his true nature has not taken responsibility for his actions and I have been openly lied to,” she told Chron Australia.
Michael and Pip’s on-off relationship began in June 2020 following his split from wife Kyly Clarke (née Boldy), which they announced four months earlier.
He and Pip had been friends for more than a decade before that, but became closer when they worked on a fashion project together.
The couple split in February 2021, less than a year after their high-profile relationship.
Michael and Pip’s on-off relationship began in June 2020 following his split from wife Kyly Clarke (née Boldy), which they announced four months earlier
After their split, Pip had an affair with Bondi restaurateur Cameron Northway for around four months.
In September 2021, just seven months after their initial split, rumors circulated that Michael and Pip were back together.
On October 20th, Michael and Pip confirmed their couple status when they went to dinner with friends at Bondi Icebergs.
A source close to the couple confirmed the split, saying: “The decision was mutual. They are two best friends who decided to break up as a couple earlier this month but to continue their friendship.
On October 20th, Michael and Pip confirmed their couple status when they went to Bondi Icebergs for dinner together with friends on October 20th.