American actress Francia Raisa has spoken out about her struggle with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) after “years of confusing symptoms.”
Raisa, 35, who found fame on the hit TV show Secret Life of the American Teenager, announced she has been diagnosed with PCOS in 2023, but shared that in the “past two weeks, things took a serious turn.”
She wrote on Instagram about suffering from “years of confusing symptoms” and “seeing several doctors” who were unable to find the cause of her problems.
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Raisa said it was “a new gynecologist” who informed her she also had SIBO and endometriosis, “which puts me at a very high risk of having complicated pregnancies in the future.”
“What strikes me the most is that it’s not enough that I take care of my health and body,” she continued.
“With all the advances in medicine, there still isn’t enough research being done into women’s specific health care to really understand how women like me are able to ensure our opportunity to have a healthy life and family.”
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Raisa has shared her health struggles in recent posts, including weight fluctuations.
In a post shared in February she said, ”PCOS has been kicking my a– lately with this weight fluctuation.
“I’ve had zero motivation to work out. Forced myself yesterday and today. So proud,” she added.
PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects up to one in 10 females during their reproductive years and can lead to complications including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, problems with the heart and blood vessels, and uterine cancer.
Women with PCOS often suffer from fertility issues.
Raisa, who most recently starred in How I Met Your Father, is the friend of singer/actress Selena Gomez and donated a kidney to her in 2017.
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Gomez, who suffers from lupus, was in need of a kidney transplant when Raisa volunteered to be her donor.
At the time the pair shared a photo from their hospital beds, with Gomez writing: “So I found out I needed to get a kidney transplant due to my lupus and was recovering. It was what I needed to do for my overall health.
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“I honestly look forward to sharing with you soon my journey through these past several months as I have always wanted to do with you.”
Gomez thanked her friend, saying: “She gave me the ultimate gift and sacrifice by donating her kidney to me. I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much sis.”
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