BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty has revealed her decision to undergo sterilisation, citing it as her ‘only option’ after enduring a debilitating 32-year health struggle. Diagnosed with adenomyosis in 2022, Naga had been grappling with the condition for years. Adenomyosis occurs when the womb’s lining grows into the wall, resulting in distressing symptoms such as fainting, severe pain, exhaustion, vomiting, and heavy bleeding, which Naga has experienced since the age of 15.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Naga voiced her frustration at having to ‘second-guess’ her pain while contending with agonising periods occurring every two and a half weeks. She shared the emotional toll of feeling weaker and questioning her ability to endure the pain due to being told it was ‘normal’.
Naga’s journey included the traumatic experience of having a coil fitted in 2017, which led to excruciating pain and fainting, and its subsequent removal a year later. Ultimately, in 2019, she made the decision to undergo sterilisation, viewing it as her ‘only option’.
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As reported by the Mirror, Naga expressed her certainty about not wanting children and her reluctance to rely on hormonal treatments. Other potential treatments for adenomyosis include contraceptive pills, hysterectomies, and NSAIDs. The condition, more common in menstruating individuals over 30, should not be confused with endometriosis, which involves the growth of womb lining tissue in other areas.
Dr. Gareth Nye, a Biomedical Science lecturer, explained that adenomyosis causes an enlargement of the uterine muscle walls, leading to significant pain and discomfort. For many sufferers, the condition coexists with endometriosis, exacerbating the symptoms.