1.5 million affected by this life-changing condition - including Victoria Beckham and Frankie Bridge - but many have no clue what it is
29.04.2023 - 07:19
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Weight gain, hair thinning, excessive hair growth - some 1.5 million people are suffering with a condition that is also one of the leading causes of fertility problems. But lots of people have no clue what it is.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (known as PCOS) affects approximately 1 in 10 women. There is no exact cause and it can be difficult to treat the symptoms.
With so many women affected, you will likely know someone who has it. And in a bid to raise awareness, a range of celebrities are coming forward to tell their experiences of PCOS - including Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, The Saturdays singer Frankie Bridge, Pretty Little Liars star Sasha Pieterse, and Hollywood actress Keke Palmer.
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Speaking to her 1.3 million followers on her Instagram story, Frankie Bridge candidly said: "I've just found out actually that I’ve got polycystic ovaries."
"I had loads of blood tests done a few weeks ago because I was getting irregular periods, I was getting really bad PMT, I was getting really cyst-y spots and really bad skin. I was finding it hard to lose weight, even though I was eating healthily. Loads of reasons, really – and I found out last week that that’s why."
Victoria Beckham opened up about PCOS while struggling to conceive her fourth child, Harper Seven. Speaking to Now magazine at the time, the singer turned fashion icon reportedly said: "Every time I go out, someone says to me 'Are you pregnant,' and at first I tried to dodge these questions with a vague response and a smile, but now, I have resorted to overt, brutal honesty."
She continued: "I keep that big smile and say something like, 'Actually, I’m struggling with infertility because of my PCOS,