Strictly's Kristina Rihanoff urges women not to suffer in silence as perimenopause takes its toll
Former Strictly Come Dancing pro Kristina Rihanoff has encouraged women to seek support for perimenopause symptoms as she opens up about her health struggles and breast cancer risk.
Kristina Rihanoff has urged women not to suffer in silence as perimenopause takes its toll.
The former Strictly Come Dancing pro recently revealed she has been "suffering in silence" while battling a series of health issues, including migraines, heavy periods and anxiety, alongside a cancer scare after learning she carries a rare genetic mutation that can double her risk of developing breast cancer.
Kristina, 49, who carries the abnormal CHEK2 gene, has come to realise just how valuable medical support and guidance can be while navigating her own health struggles, and hopes to reassure other women that they are not alone.
Speaking at the 2026 Best Heroes Awards, sponsored by DFS, at The Waldorf Hilton, London on Tuesday night (13.10.26), BANG Showbiz asked the star whether people had offered her support recently.
Kristina replied: "In my own personal life, I think because I'm going through quite big changes as a woman of a certain age, perimenopausal hormonal changes, people around me, like the doctors, the people who look after me, they are amazing.
"Before, I wasn't perhaps in that situation when I truly understand how that support from others is. So it's so important."
She added: "There are doctors, there are people you can actually talk to and ask questions, and they will be there supporting you, guiding you.
"I value it so much. It's really important to have that support."
The Celebrity Big Brother 2016 housemate recently admitted that her ongoing health struggles are taking a "toll" on her mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, but she often feels compelled to put a "brave face" on to maintain her upbeat persona.
As well as dancing, Kristina teaches yoga and Pilates, all while being a mum to her 10-year-old daughter Mila, whom she has with 48-year-old ex-rugby player Ben Cohen.
The Ballroom dancer noted that juggling the demands of work and motherhood is a "balancing act", adding that keeping up appearances can be difficult when she is feeling unwell.
Kristina said: "It’s a little bit tough because I'm an active person. I teach dancing, and I teach yoga, and I teach Pilates, and I have to be in top form all the time.
"And obviously I work with people. They expect a smile. They expect me to be happy. And sometimes it's a little difficult.
"When you're going through those times in the month when you're having migraines and all this going on, you have to put a brave face on."
The beauty hopes that speaking openly about her health struggles will encourage other women to seek help.
Kristina said: "Sometimes the reason why I thought I would talk about it is just that I know other women have that too, and they probably also suffer in silence, and they're scared of being judged and saying, 'Oh, what are you talking about?'
"I think it's opening a little bit more doors."
Kristina recently told Closer magazine that doctors have told her not to take hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and she is currently having to decide whether to undergo a hysterectomy to remove her womb and ovaries to stop her periods.
The entertainer has a family history of both ovarian and breast cancer, which led to her undergoing genetic testing in 2023.
The tests discovered that she has an abnormal CHEK2 gene, and since then she has undergone regular checks, including mammograms, blood tests and both ovarian and breast scans.
Kristina noted that Mila helps her cope on her dark days, telling the publication that the youngster "makes me feel better about life".
