BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty says painful condition was dismissed for 32 years

18 October 2023 , 14:57

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BBC Breakfast's Naga Munchetty says painful condition was dismissed for 32 years

Naga Munchetty has revealed she suffers from an agonising womb condition, which was dismissed by doctors for 32 years.

The BBC Breakfast host, 48, said she's been battling with adenomyosis, which is a gynecological condition that causes endometrial tissue to grow into the wall of the uterus, since she was 15. Appearing before the Women and Equalities Committee today alongside Geordie Shore star, Vicky Pattison, Naga said she only got answers about the agonising condition when she went private.

Talking to Tory committee chairwoman Caroline Nokes, she said: "I started my period at 15. It would last for 11 or 12 days. Eight or nine of them were very heavy. I’d throw up on the first day, pass out once or twice during the cycle. I’d be wrapped around a toilet. I’d still go to school. I still went to work. Whenever I went to the doctor I was told it was normal." She added she was told by doctors to just to 'suck it up' and "you’re normal" and 'everyone goes through this'.

BBC Breakfast host, Naga Munchetty spoke about her condition alongside Vicky Pattison (Parliamentlive.tv)

Explaining the impact the condition had on her private life, the presenter said it made "relationships difficult", but she'd thankfully had "understanding partners". She also said her adenomyosis, which is similar to endometriosis, has left her 'paranoid' about bleeding, forcing her to wear dark and loose clothing while on her period.

She explained: "For work, I wouldn’t sleep because I’d set an alarm at 2am to change the towel and super heavy tampon." Revealing her adenomyosis wasn’t diagnosed until she was 47, Naga was asked by Ms Nokes: "So 32 years", to which the presenter replied: "Yes".

Naga Munchetty and co-stars bid farewell to BBC Breakfast colleague amid exit

Naga first revealed she was suffering from the condition in May, telling her BBC Radio 5 Live show her husband had been forced to call an ambulance after she told him she was agony. "The pain was so terrible I couldn't move, turn over, sit up," she said. "I screamed non-stop for 45 minutes. And then it happened again in the middle of the night and we had to call an ambulance because I couldn't be moved. And I was just screaming."

The Strictly Come Dancing star spoke at the parliamentary committee - which is expected to make recommendations to the Government to help reduce disparities that exist in the diagnosis of gynaecological conditions - alongside reality star, Vicky Pattison, who said she was made to feel 'ashamed' for her health issues.

Vicky, who has now been diagnosed with pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), said she faced horrendous symptoms when she reached her late 20s, including 'crippling anxiety', insomnia and fatigue. However, the Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins star said they were put down to PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) when she visited various doctors across the country.

Victoria Johns