Naga Munchetty Opens Up About 'Debilitating' Adenomyosis and Late Diagnosis
BBC Breakfast and Radio 5 Live presenter Naga Munchetty has provided a candid update on her ongoing battle with adenomyosis, a chronic and incurable womb condition that she describes as causing "debilitating and horrendous" pain. The 51-year-old journalist, diagnosed in 2023, revealed that the condition has severely impacted her life since she was just 15 years old.
Living with Intense Pain and Limited Treatment Options
Munchetty explained that adenomyosis triggers episodes so severe that she has experienced vomiting, passing out, and being "curled up on the floor screaming." The condition, which affects approximately one in ten women, involves the womb lining growing into the muscular wall, leading to heavy bleeding, severe cramping, and pain during daily activities.
There is no cure for adenomyosis, and treatment options are limited. Hormone therapy or a hysterectomy can help manage symptoms, but Munchetty noted that a hysterectomy is only effective if the condition is confined to the uterus. In her case, it had spread to other parts of her body, making such surgery less viable.
Advocating for Better Menstrual Health Education
Munchetty is now using her platform to call for improved education about menstruation and women's health. She criticised current teachings that often portray periods as "a few teaspoons of blood over three to five days," without addressing what constitutes abnormal symptoms.
"Youngsters are not taught what to do if someone experiences more than that, or if they are in extreme pain," she stated. Munchetty emphasised that many women, including herself, normalise severe pain due to lack of awareness, leading to delayed diagnoses and suffering.
Personal Health Struggles and Medical Insights
Speaking to The I newspaper, Munchetty shared that she still deals with prolonged bleeding, managed partly through hormone replacement therapy (HRT) as she is perimenopausal. A recent conversation with her doctor highlighted how she had underestimated her symptoms; when she described her bleeding as "not that heavy," her doctor corrected her, noting it was indeed heavy.
This led to blood tests and discussions about her energy levels, revealing a lifelong struggle with anaemia linked to the heavy bleeding. Munchetty recounted how she would often dismiss the pain, even passing out at times, a common experience among women with adenomyosis.
Raising Awareness and Empowering Women
Since going public with her condition, Munchetty has written a book titled 'It's Probably Nothing,' which examines the treatment of women's health issues. She expressed pride in receiving messages from women who, after reading the book, decided to seek medical help, calling it a "massive achievement."
She urged for systemic changes in how women are referred and treated by healthcare providers. "So many women are told that 'it's probably nothing' by doctors; they need to be empowered to flag concerns about their health and they should expect to be heard - and treated if necessary," Munchetty added.
While adenomyosis is not life-threatening, it significantly affects quality of life, and Munchetty's advocacy aims to reduce the stigma and ignorance surrounding menstrual health, encouraging earlier intervention and support for those affected.
