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May 2026.

Dr Ben writes a new Blog at the start of every month for our Man Shed section.

New Menopause Comedy Film Proves Laughter Is The Best Medicine

I reckon it’s a pretty fair bet that most of the estimated 13 million women in the UK currently going through perimenopause or menopause would probably say experiencing the associated symptoms are no laughing matter.

Also probably true is that the opportunities to have a hearty laugh and share a joke on those topics are fairly far and few between.

Especially perhaps if the jokes are made by a partner who likes to slope off sneakily whenever he can to his favourite Man Shed.

Well, the good news is that all that is about to change this autumn. No, don’t worry, guys, I’m not saying you’re going to be denied access to your Man Shed!

What I’m referring to is the news that reaches me that there’s a new blockbuster comedy film set to hit cinemas soon that’s all about the funny side of menopause.

It’s titled Hot Flash and filming is currently underway in Yorkshire, at locations including Scarborough and Wakefield. I’m delighted by this because Yorkshire is my second home. I’ve spent more time in Yorkshire in my life than anywhere else, and I trained there as a doctor, in Leeds and York … but I fear I’m straying off the point.

Hot Flash tells the story of Geri, a Yorkshire hairdresser who accidentally fulfils her lifelong dream of becoming an entrepreneur despite being fired from her job, after she suffered brutal menopause symptoms and imposter syndrome.

The independent feature film, which is expected to be premiered this October 2026, stars The Syndicate’s Gaynor Faye and Amandaland’s Samuel Anderson.

It’s also been reported that the team is in talks with cast members from huge hits such as Love Actually, Death in Paradise, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and The Golden Compass.

‘She’s hot, she’s flushed, she’s unstoppable!’

The film’s award-winning writer and director, Kathryn Carmichael from South Wales, plans to channel her own lived experience of the menopause into the film.

She says: “This project is timely and important. As someone with lived experience of the challenges of menopause, I’m excited to direct a film which explores themes of feeling unseen and losing yourself.

“It’s a feel-good, entertaining story, but it also offers validation, representation, and a lifeline for the countless women impacted. If we can start more conversations and help more women feel visible, valued and less alone, it will be massively worthwhile.”

According to the film’s promotional poster, it stars “The Menopause Queen” and the strap line reads: “She’s hot, she’s flushed, she’s unstoppable!”

I think we Brits are very good at laughing at ourselves. We do enjoy our black humour and menopause can be a pretty despairing time. But I’d say we actually should be trying to celebrate this time of life and commiserate humorously with each other rather than being depressed about what can be a very challenging situation.

Man Shed Man has two options…

The emotional side of menopause can be very raw and sometimes tears can be forthcoming during a doctor’s consultation. It’s rare to greet this topic with laughter, but this film could be a healthy way to process such challenging issues.

Menopause storylines in films are pretty uncommon, especially on the big screen.

Also, there are a lot of emotions around this that may be suppressed or not acknowledged that can come out. And sometimes laughing isn’t that far from crying on the emotional register.

So, I’m hoping that this film will touchingly and sensitively address the issues that are raised by so many women across the land and help them to feel more accepted and validated – while some of us enjoy a chuckle about the challenges they face.

With the film due out soon, I reckon this presents my Man Shed male friends with two options: You might offer to hold the fort while your partner and her girlfriends go and see this movie as a night out.

Or you could take your partner to watch the movie as a date night and hopefully enjoy seeing the lighter side of things and acknowledge what a huge challenge perimenopause and menopause are.

I’m sure later this year the film will become another great British blockbuster at the box office and lots of people will be flocking to see it.

You can find out more information on the film by checking out its new website: https://www.hotflashfilm.com/

And remember what they say … laughter can be the best medicine!

If you’ve got a question for Our Man in The Man Shed Dr Ben Sinclair, you can email him on drben@menopausematters.co.uk

Welcome to The Man Shed and I’m delighted to be your man in it!

My name is Dr Ben Sinclair (please just call me ‘Dr Ben’, everyone does), and I’ve been a GP for nearly 20 years. Bear with me a sec while I shift these spare paint tins and get my laptop set up…

If you’ve got a question for Our Man in The Man Shed, Dr Ben Sinclair, you can email him on:
drben@menopausematters.co.uk.

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