BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty has bravely shared the challenges of living with adenomyosis, a condition that has progressively worsened and now affects multiple areas of her body.
In a heartfelt conversation with journalist Ateh Jewel on the Second Act podcast, Naga detailed her experience with adenomyosis—a disorder where the inner lining of the uterus, the endometrium, grows into the uterine muscle instead of shedding normally. This abnormal growth causes extensive pain and complications for about one in ten women suffering from the condition.
Naga explained, “When it’s spread outside the uterus, it goes into the muscle, and so when it grows, it tears the muscle.” Her symptoms have intensified, with the condition now extending into her upper thighs and lower back, causing frequent and debilitating flare-ups. To manage these symptoms, she takes regular medication aimed at suppressing hormone production that triggers the condition.
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The impacts of adenomyosis are severe: intense pain, heavy bleeding, cramps, fatigue, fainting, and other distressing symptoms. Naga revealed the condition forces her to wake every three hours during the night to change sanitary products, making it difficult to wear light-colored clothing due to the unpredictability of the bleeding.
Naga also shared the emotional toll of the disease, recalling how doctors initially dismissed her symptoms as typical menstrual pain. This led her to believe she was alone in her suffering and to endure painful episodes in silence, often relying on excessive painkillers. It wasn’t until 2022 that she finally received a correct diagnosis.
She admitted that she initially struggled to communicate the severity of her symptoms to medical professionals, saying, “Because I did not say, I am flooding, I wear two pairs of knickers when I’m on and I’m changing the whole time. I’m anxious the whole time. I don’t sleep.”
Diagnosing adenomyosis is challenging and often only confirmed through a hysterectomy, a major surgery with significant risks. Understanding these difficulties, Naga has written a book titled It’s Probably Nothing: Critical Conversations on the Women’s Health Crisis, addressing the widespread lack of awareness and research into women’s health issues.
Through her openness, Naga Munchetty hopes to shed light on adenomyosis and encourage better understanding and support for women facing this debilitating condition.