Copyright walesonline
Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison, who is presently taking part in the beloved BBC dance competition alongside professional dancer Kai Widdrington, recently called for increased support for women dealing with reproductive health challenges as she revealed she has spoken to Health Secretary Wes Streeting. On the October 28 broadcast of Good Morning Britain , Vicky said at a meeting held the previous day with the Health Secretary, she had raised the pertinent issue, saying: "I said it needs better funding. We need to close that gender gap completely in terms of female reproductive health. "The things they are struggling with are different, different female reproductive health issues, but the one common thread is that when they go and visit the NHS , a doctor, whatever, they are ignored, dismissed, in some way made to feel like this is in their head, they are hysterical, and that is the medical misogyny that we're trying to tackle." This is not the first time Vicky has spoken out, as women's health matters are close to the 2015 I'm a Celebrity winner's heart — especially considering she's had to fight several tough battles of her own. The Honesty Box star received a devastating diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in 2023 — a condition that leaves her physically and emotionally drained each month. The NHS characterises PMDD as a severe variant of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), with comparable but far more intense symptoms, such as headaches, muscle and joint pain, disrupted sleep, binge eating, rage, anxiety, depression, and even thoughts of suicide. In a candid interview with Heat magazine, the Celebrity Masterchef 2019 finalist opened up about her struggle with PMDD, recalling how medical professionals initially dismissed her symptoms, telling her there was "nothing wrong". She said: "I spent the best part of the last 10 years thinking I was descending into madness, being told by doctors there was nothing wrong with me. They were insinuating that I was just weak and dramatic." Previously, in an emotional Instagram post where she appeared with puffy eyes, the Ex on the Beach star had spoken about her diagnosis, writing candidly: "There are a few things that exacerbate my anxiety. When I'm tired, overworked and just not looking after myself properly I don't feel as though I have the energy to fight off the intrusive dark thoughts. I also just feel like I'm more susceptible to that negative self-talk when I'm low & burnt out." Before Strictly Come Dancing began, Vicky shared her fears of being trapped in her 'own head' and putting too much pressure on herself to achieve high scores. Speaking to Mail Online , Vicky admitted: "I'm feeling a lot of anxiety about Strictly. I know I should just be excited to be considered for shows like this – I didn't feel anything like this when I went in the [I'm A Celebrity] jungle." She added: "Maybe it's a bit of imposter syndrome, maybe it's working-class feelings of being undeserving. Maybe it's deep-rooted self-doubt." The Strictly Come Dancing contestant, who was only 22 when she shot to fame on MTV's Geordie Shore, even broke down in tears during a press day ahead of the launch show. "I thought I was doing an alright job of hiding it but obviously I'm not," she said. "I'm just out of my comfort zone and it's really scary when you're out of your comfort zone and I am a bit overwhelmed." Since then, Vicky has spoken openly about living with PMDD, and how incredibly supportive Strictly has been as she battled through rehearsals, admitting: "It [PMDD] affects me in the 10 days before my period. That is panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia, exhaustion and in some moments, there can be suicidal thoughts. Like every woman dealing with it, I'm just riding the wave." She added: "There are moments I can be OK and be the bright, shiny version of myself that everyone expects, and then there are moments where I'm debilitated by it. Now, everything feels heightened and stressful. I've been burying my head in the sand a little bit saying it's ages away, but it's not. I'm learning as I go. Strictly take things into consideration." At 35, Vicky made the proactive decision to freeze her eggs — and this was before she married her partner Ercan Ramadan in 2024. The reality TV star has been open about discussing her experience on social media and also appeared in the BBC documentary 'Egg Freezing And Me'. Speaking previously on Good Morning Britain, Vicky explained her motivation for freezing her eggs, saying: "I will be 37 this year and the harsh reality of a woman being over 35 is that your eggs are described as geriatric, which tastes really painful coming out of mouth but it's the medical term." Vicky has admitted she's never felt particularly maternal, having prioritised her career throughout her life. She previously disclosed on Loose Women, where she was a panellist until 2017, that she kept anticipating a "burning desire to have children, but it never really came". As the years passed, the reality star grew concerned that maternal instincts might suddenly emerge at an age when natural conception would no longer be possible for her body — prompting her to begin exploring egg freezing. At 35, three of Vicky's eggs were fertilised with Ercan's sperm to create embryos, which medical professionals informed her carried a 20% probability of resulting in a baby. She additionally chose at that point to preserve three as unfertilised eggs, which hold a 10% chance. The reality star said at the time: "I have been hurt before and it would be foolhardy to not have a back-up plan so I decided to keep some to myself. I'm safeguarding my future happiness." Speaking to The Sun in an exclusive interview, Vicky revealed how drink had taken over life at one point, as the reality star confessed she had started downing 10 drinks each day – adding that she hated the person she had become. She told the publication: "I drank pretty much every day. I would have about ten drinks a day. Wine, spirits, anything really. I begged for days off work. Then I'd feel even lonelier and drink more." Vicky shared that she was "determined" not to follow in the footsteps of her father, John, who has struggled with addiction and spent time in and out of rehab. She added: "I was convinced that people would realise I wasn't anything special and it would all be taken away and I was turning up late for jobs. I don't think I ever turned up drunk, I always slept, but I was not in a fit state to work." Vicky went on to explain that when appearing on talk shows, you're expected to be “witty and warm, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed — not still shaking off the lethargy of five gin and tonics.” She added, “I hated myself back then. I work very hard not to become that person.” Vicky has also opened up about her struggles with "disordered eating" in the past. In a candid Instagram post shared in 2024, Vicky confessed to her followers: "I used to be cruel to the girl in the first photo... I let her eat what she wanted but I constantly berated her. Called her names and made her feel worthless. Just because of a number on a scale." She added: "I was cruel to the girl in the second photo as well but in an entirely different way. I would count how many blueberries I put on my porridge, restrict my calories and weaponise exercise. That girl was a nervous wreck". Vicky admitted that she was "unhappy" during those times, battling "anxiety", "disordered eating", and "low self-worth". The NHS has advised anyone experiencing PMDD symptoms and feeling suicidal to call 999 or visit A and E. More information on PMS and PMDD can be found on the NHS website.
