Hailey Bieber has revealed she has an ovarian cyst 'the size of an apple', sharing the news on Instagram to help others with the condition. The 26-year-old model posted a photo of her stomach, clarifying she is not pregnant, and described the pain as 'never fun'.
Bieber told her 49 million followers that she does not have other ovarian conditions such as endometriosis, but the cyst causes 'painful and achey' sensations, along with nausea, bloating and cramping. She encouraged others who can relate, saying 'We got this.'
One woman, Demelza, told BBC Newsbeat that she had no idea about ovarian cysts until she experienced one herself. Her symptoms were initially dismissed as IBS, and it took six months to get a proper diagnosis. In July 2021, doctors found a 15cm by 15cm cyst that had twisted due to its size.
Demelza described the frustration of having her symptoms 'brushed off' as other stomach issues. She praised Bieber for speaking out, saying it will help raise awareness and encourage people to seek second opinions. 'I was lucky that I kept my ovary,' she added, noting the delay could have led to its loss.
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop on an ovary and are very common, often causing no symptoms. However, if they split, are very large, or block blood supply, symptoms can include pelvic pain, bloating, and irregular periods. The NHS advises visiting a GP if symptoms occur.
