British actress Florence Pugh has candidly shared her journey of freezing her eggs at the age of 27 following a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. Speaking on the SHE MD podcast with Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi, a renowned gynaecological surgeon, and influencer Mary Alice Haney, Pugh detailed the unexpected turn of events that led to this life-changing decision.
Pugh revealed that her decision stemmed from a sudden intuition to get her health checked. Initially sceptical about undergoing an egg count due to her age, she was shocked to learn of her diagnosis. “It was just so bizarre because my family are baby-making machines,” she said.
PCOS, which affects hormone levels and can lead to irregular periods and difficulties conceiving, was a condition Pugh initially mistook as normal “symptoms of being a woman,” such as acne and excessive hair growth. The Oppenheimer star credited Dr. Aliabadi for diagnosing her condition, though her experience took a troubling turn when she sought advice in the UK.
Pugh described her encounter with a London-based gynaecologist who dismissed her American test results and diagnoses. “I got shut down, told that I was essentially making things up,” she said. The doctor brushed off her concerns, attributing her reproductive health worries to her young age, despite her documented diagnosis and symptoms.
This experience of medical gaslighting isn’t unique. Studies have repeatedly shown that women are more likely to have their symptoms minimised or misdiagnosed compared to men. Women of colour face even greater challenges, with disparities in treatment outcomes and biases affecting care.
Tennis legend Serena Williams has also spoken about her life-threatening experience of advocating for her own health after childbirth. These stories highlight the broader systemic issue of dismissing women’s health concerns—a phenomenon impacting millions globally.
This experience of being disregarded struck a chord with women on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), users shared their own stories of facing similar treatment.
User @Katybops described a harrowing experience with her daughter’s medical care:
“Last year my daughter was seen by a local paediatrician, and I asked her to test her for a blood clotting disorder that runs in my family. At first she refused and when pressed would only agree to do a pro thrombin time test – which doesn’t show anything unless you have blood too thin or too thick and bears no relevance to the issue. What is relevant is that if she has the clotting disorder, she should be injecting blood thinners every time she flies long haul – which is multiple times a year.” She recalls,
“Refusing the test put her life at risk. At same visit, [the doctor] refused to take seriously some fainting and other issues my daughter was having. We decided to go private and I randomly rang numbers in London that I googled and somehow got the mobile of the head of cardiology at Londons big children’s hospital. He told me to bring her in that week and performed a lot of expensive tests and diagnosed her. For free. I think that was the luckiest Google result of my life.”
Another user highlighted the broader issue:
“This is just so emblematic of how women’s health isn’t taken seriously by medical professionals… you can be FLORENCE PUGH and someone will still deny your health issues bc you’re still a woman.”
Pugh’s openness comes at a time when reproductive health issues like PCOS and endometriosis remain under-discussed. Despite affecting one in ten women, these conditions are often dismissed as minor inconveniences rather than debilitating health challenges.
A recent UK survey found that 84% of women feel unheard by their GPs, with many reporting feelings of being gaslighted. This statistic underscores the urgent need for improved awareness, sensitivity, and proactive healthcare for women.
Florence Pugh’s story not only sheds light on the importance of listening to one’s body but also advocates for greater understanding and respect for women’s health concerns. By freezing her eggs, Pugh has taken control of her reproductive future while inspiring others to push back against dismissive healthcare experiences.
