Hi, I’m Alyssa! AKA, The PCOS Nutritionist Alyssa!
I’m a Registered Dietitian dedicated to helping you eliminate your PCOS symptoms with sustainable and realistic nutrition changes.
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15 Celebrities With PCOS Discuss Their Symptoms
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As a registered dietitian who also has PCOS, I know how incredibly isolating this condition can feel. I’m especially grateful for the many celebrities with PCOS who have opened up recently about their own experiences with this medical condition.
Hopefully, with more celebrities with PCOS bringing awareness to this condition, there will be more research done and more treatment options available.
What Is PCOS?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that affects approximately 6-12% of women of reproductive age in the United States. Common symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, infertility, weight gain, cravings, hair loss, hirsutism (excessive hair growth), acne, and fatigue.
To see if your symptoms may line up with PCOS, take the quick one minute quiz: Do I Have PCOS? 1-Minute PCOS Symptoms Quiz
While the exact cause of PCOS isn’t known, it’s linked to insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and high androgen levels (such as high testosterone levels). Unfortunately, having PCOS also puts you at risk for other medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
These PCOS symptoms can cause shame and embarrassment for many people, which has prompted many people to remain silent. Recently, many celebrities with PCOS are opening up in interviews and social media about their experiences, which has allowed more people to feel comfortable speaking about their own experiences.
Celebrities with PCOS
Alright, let’s dive into some celebrities with PCOS who have shared their experiences publicly.
Bebe Rexha
The American singer songwriter, Bebe Rexha, recently opened up about her struggles with PCOS on the Jennifer Hudson Show and Gayle King’s show in 2023.
Bebe Rexha discussed that she has struggled with symptoms like weight gain and her body image for a long time. She also detailed how she was told she had to lose weight in order to be successful in the music industry. It wasn’t until more recently when she was diagnosed with PCOS that it made more sense .
Bebe has also talked about how PCOS has caused her to experience irregular periods and painful ovarian cysts.
Victoria Beckham
The former Spice Girl and fashion icon has also been candid about her PCOS diagnosis for a couple of decades and particularly her struggles with infertility.
She ultimately decided to take the brutal honesty route when people would ask if she were pregnant: “I keep that big smile and say something like, ‘Actually, I’m struggling with infertility because of my PCOS, so my husband and I have been through several fertility treatments. No baby yet, but it’ll happen soon!’”
Similar to Posh Spice, I also personally took the brutal honesty route when I was first diagnosed with PCOS and struggling with infertility. Sometimes people need the reminder that some questions should just stay in their head.
To learn more about how your diet can impact your fertility, don’t miss this post: PCOS Diet Plan To Get Pregnant (Free PDF & Recipes)
Emma Thompson
The famed British actress has been very open about her fertility issues during multiple interviews over the years. Emma Thompson has told the story of how she had her daughter, Gaia, at almost age 40. Gaia was conceived with in vitro fertilization (IVF). She then underwent multiple rounds of IVF for a few years after that, which all ultimately failed.
The Love Actually and Nanny McPhee actress has also described periods of depression in her life, which is another common symptom of PCOS.
Keke Palmer
Keke Palmer made headlines in late 2022 when she announced she was pregnant with her first child during the opening monologue of Saturday Night Live. Many in the PCOS community felt like this was a big win since she has been open about her struggles with PCOS – it led to many others sharing their own PCOS experiences.
In a 2020 Instagram post, the actress spoke about how severe acne and living with undiagnosed PCOS has affected her. She also talked about how she had to advocate for herself to receive a proper PCOS diagnosis.
In her post, she stated “I tried EVERYTHING. I did Accutane (an acne medication) TWICE. People say drink water, have a better diet, but I did all that, I ate all the “right” things, my blood tests were fine. But it took ME taking a personal look into my family that has a history of diabetes and obesity, to understand what was ACTUALLY happening with me.”
Type 2 diabetes and obesity are unfortunately more common in those with PCOS. Keke Palmer seems to indicate that her family history may also include some people with undiagnosed PCOS.
She has also talked about struggling with facial hair (aka hirsutism), which is caused by high androgen levels. On The Tamron Hall Show, she stated “I kind of have a low-key beard going on that I have to shave every couple of days.”
Learn how to lower androgen levels, such as high testosterone levels, which can contribute to unwanted hair growth: How To Lower Testosterone Levels with PCOS.
Sasha Pieterse
The Pretty Little Liars star has been open about her experience with PCOS. She has described the change in her metabolism in her teenage years. Sasha Pieterse has also talked about how she never had a regular period but this was usually brushed off by medical providers.
Ultimately, she gained 70 pounds at age 17 for seemingly no reason, even while doing “all the right things” like cardio and low-fat diets. It took almost 20 doctors before she was finally diagnosed with PCOS by an endocrinologist.
Once she was diagnosed, she changed things up and found an eating pattern and exercise regimen that helped her to lose weight in a natural way.
Learn more about how to manage your PCOS naturally: PCOS Self-Care Practices: 10 Natural Ways to Manage Your Health.
Jillian Michaels
Jillian Michaels was diagnosed with PCOS in her teenage years. The fitness expert has detailed how she was prescribed birth control pills, which she ultimately stopped because she didn’t like the side effects it caused.
It was a few years later when she learned the link between PCOS and insulin resistance, which prompted her to drastically change her diet. She now manages her PCOS with nutrition and physical activity, and states she hasn’t struggled with significant PCOS issues for over 20 years.
Daisy Ridley
The Star Wars actress has opened up on social media about two women’s health conditions that she struggles with: endometriosis and PCOS.
She has documented that she really struggles with her skin. With some diet changes, such as decreasing dairy and sugar intake, she’s noticed a significant improvement in her acne.
Dairy is one food trigger that can worsen acne in those with PCOS. Learn more about whether you should go dairy-free or not.
Lea Michele
Glee star Lea Michele said that everything made sense for her when she was finally diagnosed with PCOS.
In an interview with Health, Lea Michele discussed how she was put on birth control as a teenager for her acne, which was a savior for her. However, when she wanted to detox her body in her 20s and stop all the medications, her bad skin returned and she also experienced weight gain. At the age of 30, she was finally diagnosed with PCOS.
She explained that “the side effects can be brutal—like weight gain and bad skin.” She went on to add “but I am very fortunate. There are way more extreme versions of PCOS that women have a lot of difficulty with — mine is not as intense. Which is why I haven’t really talked about it, because there are women who have it so much more intense.”
The popular Glee star is referring to how PCOS can present in a variety of ways in different individuals. Some people experience the same symptoms as she did, however, some women don’t struggle with these symptoms at all.
She has stated that she manages her PCOS by focusing on a plant-based diet, which has been helpful for her.
Jools Oliver
The children’s book author and former model was diagnosed with PCOS at the age of 17. Since her periods were irregular, she had a feeling that getting pregnant may be difficult since her body wasn’t ovulating regularly.
After a year of trying to conceive with her husband Jaime Oliver, she was given fertility medications such as Clomid. She went on to need IVF to conceive their first baby, before falling pregnant naturally with their second and third child. Jools Oliver is now a mom to 5 children.
Jools has also been open about the several miscarriages that she experienced over the years, explaining that one of her miscarriages was life-threatening.
Romee Strijd
Victoria’s Secret model Romee Strijd opened up on social media about her PCOS diagnosis. She talked about her irregular periods and her fear of not becoming a mom.
“Two years ago I got diagnosed with PCOS after not getting my period for seven years. I was devastated because being a mom and starting a family is my biggest dream,” she posted to Instagram. “I was so scared that I would never be able to because I got told it was harder to get babies in a natural way.”
She followed up that her PCOS symptoms were a result of stress and being in “fight or flight” mode. It sounds like Romee may have had some adrenal dysfunction, which is sometimes referred to as adrenal PCOS.
She added that she had made some diet and lifestyle changes, including no food restrictions and lower impact workouts. At the end of her post, she added “I got my period back last November AND WE’RE SOON A FAMILY OF THREE,” she told her followers.
Romee is now a mom of two daughters.
Jaime King
The American actress and model has been open about her struggles with endometriosis, PCOS, and infertility. The mother of 2 has spoken about her multiple miscarriages and rounds of IVF.
Jaime King has also talked about experiencing painful periods, migraines, and fatigue from a young age, thinking these were normal symptoms to experience as a woman.
She is an activist for women’s health and has supported various platforms to bring care to more women.
Nikki Bella
The former wrestler Nikki Bella has spoken about her PCOS diagnosis and the symptoms she struggles with.
In an interview with Health, “I also found out I have PCOS… I’m getting brown spots all over my face, acne, weight fluctuations, and hair loss. I actually just found out and was devastated. You research it, and there is no cure. I just pray I have some fertile eggs left and that I can still be a mom.”
Nikki and her husband, Artem Chigvintsev, have one son born in 2020.
Harnaam Kaur
The British activist Harnaam Kaur is also a model and motivational speaker. She was diagnosed with PCOS at 12 years old.
She is most known for her full beard. In an interview with Rock N Roll Bride, “I decided to keep my beard and step forward against society’s expectations of what a woman should look like. Today I am not suicidal and I do not self harm. Today I am happy living as a young beautiful bearded woman. I have realized that this body is mine, I own it, I do not have any other body to live in so I may as well love it unconditionally.”
Hirsutism, or excessive hair growth, is a common PCOS symptom. It’s caused by high androgen levels such as high testosterone levels.
Harnaam Kaur focuses on body positivity and being a PCOS advocate.
Savannah Sellers
The NBC News correspondent recently opened up about her experience with PCOS. Savannah Sellers details how she, in her early 30s, was going in for an appointment to evaluate her fertility.
Savannah explained that she had always struggled with irregular menstrual cycles, and the doctor saw polycystic ovaries via a transvaginal ultrasound. She left the appointment with a PCOS diagnosis.
She was faced with the decision of whether to undergo fertility treatments or not to hopefully ensure an easier path to future pregnancies. Along with her husband, she ultimately decided to do an egg retrieval and freeze embryos for a future transplant. Savannah said she’s currently taking Metformin to manage her PCOS.
If you’re thinking about fertility in your future, don’t miss this post on the Best Prenatal Vitamins for PCOS.
Frankie Bridge
The English singer, who was previously a member of S Club 7, announced her PCOS diagnosis to her social media followers several years ago.
She said on Instagram in 2020, “I had loads of blood tests done a few weeks ago because I was getting irregular periods, I was getting really bad PMT, I was getting really cyst-y spots and really bad skin. I was finding it hard to lose weight, even though I was eating healthily. Loads of reasons, really – and I found out last week that that’s why.”
She has also spoken of periods of depression, which is a common mental health struggle for those with PCOS.
The Bottom Line
1 in 10 women of childbearing age is affected by PCOS according to the NIH. This hormonal condition can present with a variety of different symptoms.
It’s easy to feel isolated and alone in your struggles. Multiple celebrities have opened up about their experiences with PCOS in recent years, which has helped others to feel more comfortable talking about the condition.
Check out these resources for some ways to manage your PCOS symptoms effectively:
A Dietitian’s 7 Day PCOS Diet Plan PDF