Fans of My Big Fat Fabulous Life are aware that Whitney Way Thore, who's had many highs and lows, has been living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and it's time to talk about her health condition. Whitney has shared her weight gain story with her followers, letting them know that their dreams always have merit, regardless of how much they weigh. TLC viewers are curious about PCOS, which is more common than a lot of people think.
My Big Fat Fabulous Life has been a hit for the TLC network. The series has shown Whitney's evolution over the years. Fans have watched Whitney fall in and out of love, start a business, and move back to Greensboro. Since calling off her engagement to Chase Severino, Whitney's life has been on an upswing. The newest season will show Whitney considering IVF and starting a new relationship with a French man. Followers admire Whitney because she always maintains a positive attitude, despite an array of health issues.
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects one in ten women. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of PCOS include late periods, weight gain, hair loss, and facial hair. Whitney often spoke out on her show, saying that she had the classic PCOS symptoms, "bearding, balding, and being fat." PCOS is a condition where the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of the male sex hormones known as androgens. Small cysts often form within the ovaries. More often than not, a woman doesn't make enough of the hormones needed to ovulate. If ovulation doesn't occur, it's possible that fluid-filled sacs will form.
During My Big Fat Fabulous Life season 1, viewers learned that the reality TV star had been diagnosed with PCOS, but Whitney still defied stereotypes. The dancer shared that her doctor told her she had the disease when she was 23. At the time, Whitney had never even heard of the condition. After speaking with other women, Whitney decided to spread PCOS awareness. She found that most women had never heard of the health condition. Whitney learned that even though she had not been diagnosed until after college, she'd actually had most of the symptoms since her teen years. It wasn't easy for Whitney to come to terms with having PCOS.
After her diagnosis, Whitney became very depressed and suffered from anxiety. As My Big Fat Fabulous Life fans know, Whitney also lived with an eating disorder while in high school. Until her diagnosis, Whitney had body image issues and felt that she should act how society expects people with weight problems to act. Luckily, her OB-GYN diagnosed the problem before it could get worse. Whitney has since started exercising and leading a healthier life. Now, Whitney encourages every woman to talk openly about female health issues, so PCOS awareness spreads through society.
My Big Fat Fabulous Life airs Tuesday at 9 p.m. EST on TLC.