Kathy Burke contemplated taking her own life during menopause: ‘I came through the other side’

Kathy Burke has revealed that ill health and menopause caused depression so severe that she contemplated taking her own life.

The comedian had been unable to undergo hormone replacement therapy (HRT) when she reached menopause, due to it clashing with other medications she’d been taking – and the oestrogen deficit left her emotionally raw.

Speaking to The Observer, the 58-year-old explained that she had “always had bouts of depression, but this was something else entirely”.

The Fast Show star said that her health problems began aged 40 when she was hospitalised for stomach surgery after suffering from diverticulitis, a digestive condition that affects the large intestine.

While recovering in hospital, doctors discovered that the TV star had a blood condition known as Hughes syndrome, which is an immune disorder that causes increased risk of blood clots.

Burke told the outlet the condition made her “immune system… [go] out the f***ing window, my adrenal glands clotted and bled”.

As a result, the actress was placed on steroids for 17 years to help produce adrenaline.

Now on the other side of her menopause battle, Burke admitted that she is “so glad” she didn’t go through with her suicide attempt because it “would have been a bit of a shame”.

“I came through the other side, and I’m f***ing delighted I did,” Burke insisted.

It’s not the first time the star has spoke frankly about her menopause experience and previously said it made her feel “isolated”.

In her 2019 Channel 4 series All Woman, she said: “I didn’t want to go anywhere because I hated being a woman during my menopause. I was like, ‘Why am I a woman?’ I couldn’t bear it.”

Burke also described menopause as “the biggest b*****d amongst the female anatomy”.

If you have been affected by the topics discussed in this article you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.