BBC’s Naga Munchetty opens up on 32-year health battle that left her unable to have children – & affects one in 10 women
NAGA Munchetty has bravely opened up about her health battle and revealed “sterilisation was the only option” for her.
The BBC Breakfast star has long been candid about her adenomyosis diagnosis.
The TV presenter, 49, first revealed her condition last year after being forced to take some time off from her hosting duties due to her complex condition.
Adenomyosis is a condition that causes the lining of the womb to bury into the muscular wall of the womb.
It is thought to affect one in ten women in the UK.
Naga told The Sunday Times about the long diagnosis process and being turned away by doctors for years.
“It makes you angry. If you are second-guessing that you are not strong enough to be a woman, that you are weaker than all the other women because you’re told it’s all normal, everyone’s going through it, you second-guess other parts of your life,” she said.
“You shut up, you don’t speak up.”
Naga was battling excruciating pain from the age of 15, alongside other serious symptoms including vomiting and fainting.
Her periods would consist of heavy bleeding and arrived every two and a half weeks.
But despite the intensity of her pain “there were no answers” and doctors told her it was normal – leaving Naga feeling hopeless.
After 32 years, the TV personality went to a private doctor and was taken seriously.
Naga said “it’s extraordinary but not unusual” to be left to suffer without a diagnosis for decades.
The presenter has documented her frustrations in her book It’s Probably Nothing.
Teasing the book, Naga posted online: “Why can the healthcare system feel rigged against women? And how can women be empowered to fight for an answer beyond just being told they’re ‘unlucky?'”
She further added: “Using extensive interviews and medical evidence, as well as my own experience getting diagnosed with adenomyosis, I have aimed to put together a handbook for women at every stage of their lives that will help them get the care they deserve.”
The BBC star was also open about her decision not to have children – which she revealed sparked a barrage of backlash.
She initially opted for the coil as a form of contraceptive but it caused extreme pain.
Naga, then in her mid-40s, decided to proceed with sterilization – a procedure which sees the fallopian tubes cut or blocked.
“I knew I didn’t want children and I didn’t want to be reliant on hormones or the regimen of the pill because it didn’t fit with my lifestyle,” she explained.
“It felt like it was my only option.”
There is still no cure for adenomyosis but many patients are told a hysterectomy is the only answer.
But Naga slammed the idea and advocated for the medical industry to “investigate the problem” rather than cut away parts of the body.
She also refused this operation as adenomyosis also effects areas outside of the uterus.
After being fobbed off for more than 30 years, and only receiving a diagnosis at the age of 47, Naga shared some valuable advice for women in the same boat.
The presented urged those suffering to keep a very detailed diary of their symptoms and bring that to GP appointments.
She also suggested bringing someone with you, who can help advocate your case.
Her final tip was to ask for a second opinion if you’re not satisfied.
“There’s always this thing that if men go to the doctor’s then it must be serious,” she added.
But Naga continued: “If women go to the doctor’s it’s serious because we’ve put off everything. We’ve put off looking after ourselves because we’re too busy looking after everyone else.”
Last year, the star revealed she was caught up in a 999 drama after being forced to seek urgent care following a flare-up in her condition.
Speaking at the time of the ambulance dash, Naga said: “The pain was so terrible I couldn’t move, turn over, sit up. I screamed non-stop for 45 minutes.”
Naga further added of the pain she experienced: “[The pain is] in my uterus. Around my pelvis. Sometimes it runs down my thighs.
“And I’ll have some level of pain for the entire show and for the rest of the day until I go to sleep.”
Adenomyosis
What is Adenomyosis?
Adenomyosis is a condition of the uterus (womb), where the tissue that grows on the lining of the uterus (also known as the endometrium) is also present on the inside muscular wall of the uterus.
Adenomyosis can cause symptoms such as heavy bleeding during your period, bleeding when you are not due for your period, period pain (dysmenorrhea), pain during or after sex (dyspareunia) and infertility.
Although the condition is not life-threatening, it can have serious symptoms.
Some women undergo a hysterectomy to lessen the symptoms.
Adenomyosis can have a number of causes though none have been definitively identified.
There is an association between the presence of adenomyosis and the number of times a women has given birth: the more pregnancies, the more likely you are to have adenomyosis.
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