By Tess Hill

Copyright hellomagazine

More and more celebrities are sharing their medical diagnoses with the world, hoping to shine light on healthcare workers and the real pains so many people go through for a simple confirmation of their symptoms. Recently, American model Lori Harvey went public with her years-long battle with endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The 28-year-old recalled on the SheMD podcast with Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi and Mary Alice Haney that her symptoms were dismissed for years before she got her diagnosis. “It’s almost like you’re getting gaslit, you know? You start questioning yourself,” Lori explained.

Finally, Lori was diagnosed with endometriosis and PCOS, and shared that the diagnosis “changed” her life. Dr. Aliabadi shared her frustration that so many women’s symptoms are dismissed and how important it is to have celebrity patients share their stories to raise awareness.

HELLO! spoke with Jessica Horwitz, the Chief Clinical Officer at Tia, a provider of whole-person women’s healthcare, about the rampant chronic disease. “Endometriosis is a complex inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows in other parts of the body, such as the pelvis, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or even around organs like the bladder or bowel,” Jessica explained.

Since so many women, including Lori for many years, go undiagnosed, the total numbers of women with endometriosis “are likely lower than true incidence.” Jessica told HELLO! that “in the U.S., anywhere from about 5-11% of women ages 15-49 may have [the condition].” Further, she explained: “Among women who are infertile, up to 50% have been found to have endometriosis.”

Lori isn’t the only celebrity to go public about her diagnosis. Here are six other celebrities who have endometriosis.