Strictly Come Dancing's Vicky Pattison's devastating diagnosis and painful health journey

Strictly Come Dancing's Vicky Pattison, currently lighting up the dance floor with professional partner Kai Widdrington, has recently called for more support for women facing reproductive health issues. She revealed she has taken her concerns directly to Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

During an appearance on Good Morning Britain on 28 October, Vicky shared details of a meeting she had with the Health Secretary the day before. She said: "I said it needs better funding. We need to close that gender gap completely in terms of female reproductive health.

"The things they are struggling with are different, different female reproductive health issues, but the one common thread is that when they go and visit the NHS, a doctor, whatever, they are ignored, dismissed, in some way made to feel like this is in their head, they are hysterical, and that is the medical misogyny that we're trying to tackle."

This isn't the first time the 2015 I'm a Celebrity winner has spoken out about women's health issues. They are a cause close to her heart, particularly given her own personal battles.

The star of The Honesty Box was dealt a devastating blow in 2023 when she was diagnosed with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a condition that leaves her physically and emotionally drained each month.

The NHS describes PMDD as a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), featuring similar but considerably more extreme symptoms, including headaches, muscle and joint aches, sleep disturbances, binge eating, fury, anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.

Speaking frankly to Heat magazine, the Celebrity Masterchef 2019 finalist revealed her battle with PMDD, describing how healthcare professionals initially brushed aside her symptoms, insisting there was "nothing wrong".

She said: "I spent the best part of the last 10 years thinking I was descending into madness, being told by doctors there was nothing wrong with me. They were insinuating that I was just weak and dramatic."

Earlier, in a heartfelt Instagram post where she appeared with swollen eyes, the Ex on the Beach star had discussed her diagnosis, writing openly: "There are a few things that exacerbate my anxiety. When I'm tired, overworked and just not looking after myself properly I don't feel as though I have the energy to fight off the intrusive dark thoughts. I also just feel like I'm more susceptible to that negative self-talk when I'm low and burnt out."

Before Strictly Come Dancing started, Vicky revealed her anxieties about becoming trapped in her 'own head' and placing excessive pressure on herself to secure impressive scores.

Speaking to Mail Online, Vicky admitted: "I'm feeling a lot of anxiety about Strictly. I know I should just be excited to be considered for shows like this - I didn't feel anything like this when I went in the [I'm A Celebrity] jungle."

She added: "Maybe it's a bit of imposter syndrome, maybe it's working-class feelings of being undeserving. Maybe it's deep-rooted self-doubt."

The Strictly Come Dancing participant, who was just 22 when she rose to prominence on MTV's Geordie Shore, even burst into tears during a press day prior to the launch programme.

"I thought I was doing an alright job of hiding it but obviously I'm not," she said. "I'm just out of my comfort zone and it's really scary when you're out of your comfort zone and I am a bit overwhelmed."

Since that time, Vicky has discussed candidly her experience living with PMDD, and how remarkably supportive Strictly has been whilst she struggled through rehearsals, acknowledging: "It [PMDD] affects me in the 10 days before my period. That is panic attacks, anxiety, insomnia, exhaustion and in some moments, there can be suicidal thoughts. Like every woman dealing with it, I'm just riding the wave."

She admitted: "There are moments I can be OK and be the bright, shiny version of myself that everyone expects, and then there are moments where I'm debilitated by it. Now, everything feels heightened and stressful. I've been burying my head in the sand a little bit saying it's ages away, but it's not. I'm learning as I go. Strictly take things into consideration."

At the age of 35, Vicky took the proactive step to freeze her eggs - a decision she made before tying the knot with her partner Ercan Ramadan in 2024. The reality TV star has been candid about her experience, sharing her journey on social media and featuring in the BBC documentary 'Egg Freezing And Me'.

In a previous appearance on Good Morning Britain, Vicky explained her reasons for freezing her eggs, saying: "I will be 37 this year and the harsh reality of a woman being over 35 is that your eggs are described as geriatric, which tastes really painful coming out of mouth but it's the medical term."

Vicky has admitted she's never felt particularly maternal, having always prioritised her career. She revealed on Loose Women, where she was a panellist until 2017, that she kept expecting a "burning desire to have children, but it never really came".

As time went on, the reality star began to worry that maternal instincts might suddenly kick in when natural conception would no longer be an option for her - leading her to consider egg freezing, reports Wales Online.

At the age of 35, three of Vicky's eggs were fertilised with Ercan's sperm to create embryos. Medical professionals informed her that these carried a 20% chance of resulting in a baby.

She also decided to preserve three as unfertilised eggs, which hold a 10% probability. The reality star stated: "I have been hurt before and it would be foolhardy to not have a back-up plan so I decided to keep some to myself. I'm safeguarding my future happiness."

In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Vicky revealed how alcohol had once dominated her life. The reality star admitted she was consuming 10 drinks daily and despised the person she had become.

She admitted to the publication: "I drank pretty much every day. I would have about ten drinks a day. Wine, spirits, anything really. I begged for days off work. Then I'd feel even lonelier and drink more."

Vicky expressed her determination not to follow in the footsteps of her father, John, who has battled addiction and spent time in and out of rehab.

She added: "I was convinced that people would realise I wasn't anything special and it would all be taken away and I was turning up late for jobs. I don't think I ever turned up drunk, I always slept, but I was not in a fit state to work."

Vicky candidly revealed that when appearing on talk shows, one is expected to be "witty and warm, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed - not still shaking off the lethargy of five gin and tonics."

She said: "I hated myself back then. I work very hard not to become that person."

Vicky has also bravely shared her battles with "disordered eating" in the past. In a heartfelt Instagram post shared in 2024, Vicky admitted to her followers: "I used to be cruel to the girl in the first photo... I let her eat what she wanted but I constantly berated her. Called her names and made her feel worthless. Just because of a number on a scale."

She added: "I was cruel to the girl in the second photo as well but in an entirely different way. I would count how many blueberries I put on my porridge, restrict my calories and weaponise exercise. That girl was a nervous wreck".

Vicky acknowledged that she was "unhappy" during those periods, grappling with "anxiety", "disordered eating", and "low self-worth".