Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is relatively common health condition. In fact, the endocrine disorder affects one out of every 10 women.That said, many don’t realize they have PCOS until they’re ready to have kids and find they can’t get pregnant—and that’s because the condition doesn’t always come with symptoms, and if it does they don’t always lead to an immediate diagnosis. “The majority of women go to several doctors before they get the correct diagnosis,” reproductive endocrinologist Carolyn Givens tells Parade.com. “Even then, most feel very dissatisfied with the information they receive.” The biggest marker of PCOS is infertility, but PCOS affects everyone differently because it is not a “one-size-fits-all” condition. Over the years, many celebrities have used (or are using) their platforms to shed light on the realities of living with this condition. Intrigued? Here’s what six celebrities who have been public with their journey have to say about living with PCOS.
Celebrities With PCOS
Victoria Beckham
While polycystic ovarian syndrome has affected Victoria Beckham, 46, in numerous ways, the former Spice Girl revealed that before having her children Brooklyn (21), Romeo (17), Cruz (15), and Harper (9). The “pressure” (and inability) to conceive was particularly difficult for her and her husband, David Beckham. “I [was] really feeling the … pressure. 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,” Beckham reportedly told Now magazine .“I keep that big smile and say something like, ‘Actually, I’m struggling with infertility because of my PCOS, so my husband and I have been through several fertility treatments. No baby yet, but it’ll happen soon!’
Lea Michele
Glee star Lea Michele has been very open about her struggles with PCOS. In 2019, she told Health.com that the symptoms and side effects, like weight gain and bad skin, “can be brutal.” “I went to a great doctor, and the minute she looked at me, she was like, ‘Oh, you have PCOS.’ It explained everything,” she said. The good news for Michele, 33, who gave birth to a baby boy in August, is that she has found a way to manage her symptoms: “Through diet, I have been able to manage. But I am very fortunate. There are way more extreme versions of PCOS that women have a lot of difficulty with—mine is not as intense."
Jillian Michaels
Jillian Michaels, was diagnosed with PCOS in her teens, and while lifestyle changes have helped her manage her symptoms, she admits the condition has affected her in ways she didn’t fully expect or understand. “I [was told I] had PCOS… at a young age. I didn’t know if I wanted kids so I didn’t really care,” Michaels, 46, told Redbook. “Then I got older, and I watched friends go through IVF, with years of hormones and devastation and disappointment, and I remember thinking, God wants something different for me. If I choose to pursue this path, I’ll adopt. And when I was finally ready to go for it, I thought, this is going to be so easy. I am such an a–hole. I had nooo idea. I mean, you’re just waiting … If it’s not done by this November, I’m going to take my shot with foster care.” Michaels now has two children with her ex-fiancée Heidi Rhoades, Lukensia Michaels Rhoades and Phoenix Michaels Rhoades. Lukenisa, 6, is adopted, and Heidi gave birth to Phoenix, 4, in 2014.
Daisy Ridley
Daisy Ridley may be best known for her role as Rey in Star Wars, but in 2016, the 28-year-old actress shared an emotional post on Instagram about the pain (and problems) endometriosis and PCOS have caused her. “At 15, I was diagnosed with endometriosis. One laparoscopy, many consultations and 8 years down the line, [the] pain was back… and my skin was THE WORST. I’ve tried everything: products, antibiotics, more products, more antibiotics and all that did was left my body in a bit of a mess. Finally [I] found out I have polycystic ovaries and that’s why it’s bad.” “PROGRESS IS BEING MADE!,” Ridley added. “With some help from a dermatologist and cutting out dairy (waah, except for spontaneous ice creams) and cutting down sugar (bigger waah but gotta do what you’ve gotta do). … My point is, to any of you who are suffering with anything, go to a doctor; pay for a specialist; get your hormones tested, get allergy testing; keep on top of how your body is feeling and don’t worry about sounding like a hypochondriac. From your head to the tips of your toes we only have one body, let us all make sure ours our working in tip top condition, and take help if it’s needed.”
Jamie King
Much like Beckham, Jamie King, 41, struggled with infertility.In fact, in 2019, she revealed PCOS caused her miscarry numerous times. “The way that it started was I was diagnosed with endometriosis and PCOS when I was 20,” King told members of #BlogHer’s annual Health conference in Los Angeles, California. “I lost my first baby at that age. And I continued to miscarry and miscarry, and it took many years for me to have my first child, and when I was going through this, I cannot explain what it felt like—that this one thing that we’re told as women is that our gift is that we can carry life, and all of a sudden someone says, ‘Oh, maybe that might be in question.’” King now has two children: James, 6, and Leo, 4.
Jools Oliver
Children’s book author (and wife of chef Jamie Oliver) Jools Oliver also admitted PCOS affected her in numerous unexpected ways. In 2009, Marie Claire reports that Oliver underwent hormone therapy to help conceive her first child “I didn’t care how far I had to go,” Oliver, 45, said. “You hear horror stories and you think it’s going to be hard, but I didn’t care. I just wanted a baby … It was awful, but I just thought: ‘Keep going.’ I’m sure any couple that has been through fertility treatment understands what I’m saying.” The couple now have five children together. Next up, here are the signs of infertility and what to do about it.
