Vicky opened up about her health during an appearance on Good Morning Britian.
Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison has called for “more support” for women’s health after making a “shocking” admission about her own condition.
The Geordie Shore alum is currently competing on the BBC dance show alongside professional dancer Kai Widdrington. On Saturday night (October 25), Icons Week saw Vicky channel fellow Newcastle native Cheryl Cole for a routine to Fight For This Love. The judges praised the pair, awarding them 33 out of 40 points and sending them safely through to Halloween Week.
Off the dance floor, Vicky has urged Health Secretary Wes Streeting to increase funding to “close the gender gap completely in terms of female reproductive health.”
The former I’m A Celebrity winner has shared her struggles with pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). After suffering insomnia, fatigue, and vomiting, she was initially misdiagnosed with pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) by several doctors. Eventually seeking private care, Vicky discovered that she was actually living with PMDD.
On Tuesday (October 28), Vicky Pattison appeared on Good Morning Britain to discuss her recent meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, where she highlighted the urgent need for greater support for women facing reproductive health issues.
“I told him it needs better funding. We need to close the gender gap completely in terms of female reproductive health,” she explained. She also called for improved education and training for NHS staff, enhanced mental health support, and increased research into women’s health. Vicky added that the Health Secretary had committed to addressing these concerns with those responsible for funding.
Vicky emphasised her passion for driving change: “The struggles women face vary, but the common thread is that when they seek help, they are often ignored, dismissed, or made to feel like it’s all in their head. That’s the medical misogyny we’re trying to tackle.” She described the impact on women’s lives as “debilitating and heartbreaking,” noting that these conditions affect three in five women in the UK.
This meeting follows Vicky’s previous efforts, in which she provided evidence to MPs on the Women and Equalities Committee as part of its inquiry into women’s reproductive health.