The 37-year-old Strictly Come Dancing star has been a staunch advocate for women’s health, especially since she’s had to fight multiple tough battles of her own.
Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison, who is currently competing in the cherished BBC dance show with professional partner Kai Widdrington, has recently demanded greater support for women facing reproductive health struggles after revealing she spoke with Health Secretary Wes Streeting.
During the October 28 show of Good Morning Britain, Vicky explained that at a gathering the day before with the Health Secretary, she had highlighted the crucial matter, saying: “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 occasion Vicky has campaigned on the issue, as women’s health causes remain dear to the 2015 I’m a Celebrity winner’s heart — particularly given she’s battled numerous difficult challenges herself.
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder Diagnosis
The Honesty Box presenter was given a crushing diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) in 2023 – a condition that renders her physically and emotionally exhausted every month.
The NHS describes PMDD as a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), featuring similar but much 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 off 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 showing herself 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.”
Strictly Come Dancing and anxiety
Before Strictly Come Dancing kicked off, Vicky opened up about her worries of becoming trapped in her ‘own head’ and heaping excessive pressure on herself to secure top marks. 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 star, who was just 22 when she rocketed to stardom on MTV’s Geordie Shore, even burst into tears during a press day before 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 then, Vicky has discussed candidly her experience living with PMDD, and how remarkably supportive Strictly has been whilst she struggled through rehearsals, saying: “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 added: “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.”
Egg Freezing Journey
At 35, Vicky took the bold step to freeze her eggs – and this was before she wed her partner Ercan Ramadan in 2024. The reality TV star has been candid about sharing her journey on social media and also featured in the BBC documentary ‘Egg Freezing And Me’.
Speaking earlier on Good Morning Britain, Vicky explained her reasons for freezing her eggs, explaining: “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 confessed she’s never felt especially broody, having focused on her career throughout her life. She previously 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 became worried that maternal feelings might suddenly kick in at an age when natural pregnancy would no longer be an option for her body – leading her to start considering egg freezing. At 35, three of Vicky’s eggs were fertilised with Ercan’s sperm to create embryos, which medical professionals told her had a 20% chance of resulting in a baby, reports Wales Online.
She also decided at that time to freeze three as unfertilised eggs, which carry a 10% chance.
The reality star said at the time: “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.”
Battle with alcohol
In an exclusive chat with The Sun, Vicky opened up about how alcohol had completely consumed her life at one stage, as the reality star admitted she had begun knocking back 10 drinks daily – revealing she despised who she had become.
She told 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 said she was “determined” not to mirror her father John’s path, who has battled addiction and been 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 explained that when you’re a guest on talk shows, you’re expected to be “witty and warm, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed – not still shaking off the lethargy of five gin and tonics.”
She admitted: “I hated myself back then. I work very hard not to become that person.”
Struggles with food
Vicky has also been candid about her past struggles with “disordered eating”. 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 continued: “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 confessed that she was “unhappy” during those periods, grappling with “anxiety”, “disordered eating”, and “low self-worth”.
The NHS has advised anyone experiencing PMDD symptoms and feeling suicidal to call 999 or visit A and E. More information on PMS and PMDD can be found on the NHS website.
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