15 February 2024 , 20:02
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Lucy Mecklenburgh has revealed she has been diagnosed with endometriosis - and says it is making her anxious.
The 32-year-old reality star - who found fame via The Only Way Is Essex in 2010 - says she worries about her appearance due to the condition. Lucy says the condition - which causes tissue similar to that found in the womb to begin growing elsewhere in the body - makes her feel bloated.
The TV star - who has been engaged to 39-year-old Dancing On Ice contestant Ryan Thomas since 2019 and shares two children with him - opened up about her health battle online. She explained that she is not looking forward to the summer months approaching as she fears she will look bloated while in swimwear.
Sharing a photo of herself with a bloated tummy, the reality star wrote via Instagram Stories: “The joys of endometriosis and adenomyosis. I’m actually fed up of trying to cover the bloating I get 80% of the time. This is actually mild bloating for me. I’ve tried every spanx, every supplement (even though I knew they prob wouldn’t work!) eating well and exercising does hugely help.
Lucy shared a snap of her bloated tummy alongside her post (Instagram)
Lucy shares two children with her fiancé, Ryan Thomas (Getty Images)“But the anxiety of spring/summer approaching and wearing swimwear and summer clothes in general is really getting to me. I know there’s so many worse things but it’s so horrible having zero control of symptoms like bloating even with a healthy lifestyle. Advice very welcome.”
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The NHS describes endometriosis as "a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Endometriosis can affect women of any age, including teenagers. It's a long-term condition that can have a significant impact on your life, but there are treatments that can help."
Symptoms of the condition include stomach and pelvic pain, period pain that stops you doing your normal activities, pain during or after sex, pain when going to the bathroom or during your period - and other symptoms include feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea. Treatments are available painkillers such as ibuprofen and paracetamol, hormone medicines, and various surgical options.
Back in 2015, Lucy released a health and fitness guide, called Be Body Beautiful. In it, she explained how she learned to take control of her body and her life. However, she was also under attack from online trolls at the time who criticised her figure.
She said at the time: "I have had a lot of comments recently that have been quite cruel about me & my body including- 'your body is like a 12 year old boy'...'You look ill' 'Must starve herself' 'Bad role model'. Firstly this is body shaming & I'm sick of it!! ... These comments are extremely hurtful...I used to be a curvy size 10 but I was living on pasta, pastries, sugary drinks, 3 sugars in my tea, skipping breakfast, McDonald's once-twice a week. I did ZERO exercise. I had no energy, bad skin, covered in cellulite & felt yuk! I needed to change & I chose my health."