Florence Pugh has candidly spoken up about her health journey.
The 28-year-old actress, best known for her role in Little Women and Midsommar, appeared in an episode of the "She MD" podcast to open up about how her recent medical diagnosis has reshaped her life and future.
The British star told Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, a renowned gynecological surgeon, and influencer Mary Alice Haney that she chose to freeze her eggs after learning that her polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis diagnoses could lead to infertility.
“I just had this sudden feeling that I should go and get everything checked,” she explained, cited by News.com.au. “I’d had a few weird dreams and I think my body was telling me. And I then asked my close friends if they knew any amazing gynecologists and then I met [Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi].”
During her visit, Aliabadi asked Pugh if she’d “ever had an egg count,” to which she responded: “I was like, ‘No, what do you mean? I’m so young. Why do I need an egg count?’”
The results revealed that she had PCOS and endometriosis. Pugh was stunned to learn of her condition, which explained the consistent pain she experienced.
“It was just so bizarre because my family are baby-making machines. My mum had babies into her 40s, my gran had babies throughout… she had so many kids as well,” the star said. “I just never assumed that I was going to be in any way different and that there was going to be an issue with it.”
The diagnosis at 27 was a pivotal moment and led to the Hollywood star taking swift action in safeguarding her eggs, aligning with her aspirations of motherhood within the next five years.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, PCOS is a "hormonal imbalance that occurs when your ovaries (the organ that produces and releases eggs) create excess hormones." It can cause irregular periods, an increase in androgen hormone levels, excess hair growth, acne, and infertility.
Mayo Clinic describes endometriosis as “an often-painful condition in which tissue that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus." It often affects "the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis".
Dr. Aliabadi highlighted the importance of addressing endometriosis promptly as it can risk egg quality, a significant concern for women with PCOS.
Grateful for the clarity and path forward, Pugh said "life has completely changed," and is now using her platform to raise awareness, encouraging her friends and fans to get medical checks.
“I’ve been able to tell my friends about what I’m going through,” she said. “And since then, I think two or three of my friends have gone to go and get checked because of my findings and they’ve also found that they have the same thing.”
She added: “So already just by me learning the tiniest bit of information, it’s led for other women to go and check to see if they also have the same.”