BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty has disclosed that she fainted before going on live television, as she opened up about her battle with adenomyosis, a non-cancerous gynaecological condition often described as the 'evil twin sister of endometriosis'. The condition causes the lining of the womb to grow into the muscle of the womb wall, resulting in severe pain.
Details of the Incident
Speaking on the White Wine Question Time podcast with Kate Thornton, Munchetty recounted fainting just before work during a recent period. 'I fainted just in the last month when I had a period again, just before work. And, you know, I was really ill,' she said. She also reflected on how the pain has affected her mental health, stating, 'I don't wanna keep saying I'm in pain. It doesn't do my mental health any good. It takes you back to a time when, you know, I would be at school and vomiting, throwing up, you know, fainting.'
Impact on Her Career
Munchetty has previously spoken about becoming 'conditioned to accept' the pain, but admitted it can 'come at any time', including during live broadcasts. She told The Times that with the pain, you 'put it in a box' and 'get on with your job', adding that she also 'probably' has endometriosis. She recalled a specific instance on BBC Breakfast: 'I went to the toilet, threw up, cleaned it up. I managed to get a 10-minute break, got makeup redone covered in sweat, sat down and did the next hour and a half.'
Comparison with Peers
Munchetty expressed feelings of inadequacy compared to other women, saying, 'It makes you feel like you're doing less well than other women. When you look around... I would look at you, Kate, you know. We're not dissimilar ages. I would look at you and go, 'She's doing brilliantly. She's coping. Look how far she's got. You know, I'm not doing well enough'. I'd look at my peers and think, 'Well, they're just cracking on with it. Why is it affecting you so much?''
Diagnosis and Symptoms
Adenomyosis is more often diagnosed in women over 30 and symptoms include painful periods with heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, bloating, and pain during sex. Munchetty visited doctors numerous times but did not receive a diagnosis for 32 years. She previously described the pain as debilitating: 'If you're curled up on the floor screaming, sweating, flooding, passing out, vomiting, that is debilitating. But you end up normalising that pain.'
Difference from Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a separate condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, according to the NHS. The NHS advises seeking an urgent GP appointment or calling NHS 111 if pelvic or period pain is severe or worse than expected and painkillers have not helped.
