A television guest was widely praised for stopping her live interview to admit that she was having a severe perimenopausal hot flash at the time.
Imogen Crump, editor of the University of Melbourne news website Pursuit and Research, was watching the headlines on ABC’s News Breakfast on Wednesday when she suddenly stopped.
“I’m so sorry, I could keep stumbling through it, but I’m having one of those perimenopausal hot flashes right now, I’m living on air, sorry,” Mrs. Crump said as she started fanning her notes in front of her face and audibly groaned. .
Presenter Lisa Millar immediately stepped in to help her guest.
“We need to make it normal to have these kinds of conversations and I love you for even saying it, because we interview people, we talk to people about this and this is the reality,” Millar said.
Mrs. Crump, now waving her hands, replied, “I don’t think hormones have any respect for national television.”
ABC News Breakfast presenters Michael Rowland and Lisa Millar (pictured) were praised for their response when a guest suffered a sudden, severe perimenopausal hot flash, live on air
Co-host Michael Rowland said they would let Ms Crump ‘take a breather’ to recover and thanked her for ‘her honesty about it’.
He then filled in about 40 seconds talking about the latest rate hikes, until Millar said, “Imogen is back with us.”
Mrs. Crump explained that her hot flashes often don’t last long, but are like “the oven of the sun.”
She later wrote about it on social media, saying, “Most days, I’m able to process whatever strangeness perimenopause throws at me in private — or at least in a quiet room at work.
“The hot flashes, anxiety, brain fog, itching, and sore gums (yes) can be distracting and sometimes disturbing.
“However, this morning my hormones decided to throw themselves at me live on ABC News Breakfast.”
Mrs Crump said she had a choice then. “I could pretend it didn’t happen (and look awkward) or explain why I was talking my way through a story about bilateral relations.
‘At that moment I chose to explain. Lisa Millar and Michael Rowland were lovely (as were the wider ABC Breakfast team who provided water and reassurance, and the audience who sent kind messages).”
Ms Crump points out that she is far from alone on this issue.
“Perimenopause causes significant symptoms in around 50 per cent of Australian women in their early 50s and it is something we need to be able to talk about openly and honestly,” she said.
Imogen Crump (pictured) was reading the headlines on ABC’s News Breakfast on Wednesday when she suddenly stopped due to a perimenopausal hot flash
Mrs Crump and her partner Warren Flentje
‘Do I wish it hadn’t happened live on TV? Yes. But if it’s a step toward having public conversations about something that at least half the population will experience in some way, then it’s good,” she wrote.”
In the comments below her post, she was praised for the way she handled the situation, with one person saying: ‘Perimenopause is the ungift that keeps on giving. And how wonderful that you paused for a moment and then continued.”
Another wrote: ‘Thank you for your authenticity – the more we can all be real with each other, the more people can reach out when they need support, knowing they will be heard and understood.
“So glad it wasn’t ‘covered up’ – it was just a real person doing something normal – and you just made it even more normal!”
An ABC producer also responded, saying, “You’re so amazing – the feedback from viewers has been nothing but positive.
“People are so grateful that you chose to talk about it. Thank you so much.’