Vicky Pattison says 'doctors gaslit me' into thinking I wasn't ill as experts failed to diagnose her for five years despite suffering 'suicidal thoughts'
The TV personality, 37, has shed a light on misdiagnosis within the NHS for woman's health care as she revealed she was told by doctors that she wasn't ill at all despite experiencing 'suicidal thoughts' and several symptoms.
Vicky revealed that she was 'repeatedly dismissed by her doctors' and only eventually was diagnosed properly after seeing a private doctor - which a lot of woman do not have the privilege of doing.
The reality star, who presented Vicky Pattison Investigates: Medical Misogyny on Good Morning Britain on Monday, has now opened up about why the UK healthcare system is failing women, including herself.
Speaking to The Sun, Vicky said: 'Women are so often the punching bags. At the moment, the healthcare system is telling women that their pain, suffering and debilitating conditions do not matter.'
On GMB, shocking statistics have been revealed as three in five women have experienced reproductive health issues, yet a third have had to wait over a year for a diagnosis.
The TV personality, 37, has shed a light on misdiagnosis within the NHS for woman's health care as she revealed she was told by doctors that she wasn't ill at all despite experiencing 'suicidal thoughts'
Meanwhile, over half of them received a misdiagnosis, and 51 per cent said they had felt dismissed by a medical professional.
And Vicky knows all too well as it took five years for her to be diagnosed with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder after years of being told she was overreacting and suffering anxiety, depressive moods, rage and crippling cramps.
However as her GP 'dismissed' her by saying she was just more 'sensitive' than the average woman, Vicky new something else was wrong.
She said: 'When I hit my 30s, my period symptoms started becoming increasingly heightened. In some of my more intense and darker moments, I had suicidal thoughts.
'I knew what I was experiencing couldn't be right — it was just so debilitating. But for five years, I was repeatedly dismissed by my doctors.'
She was advised by doctors that she needed 'antidepressants' as it was 'psychological' while another specialist telling the star to 'lose weight'.
Vicky revealed that as she gets older 'it's gotten worse' and she is now 'anxious, emotional, exhausted and unrecognisable as herself' from around 10 days before her period.
Eventually Vicky went to a private doctor three years ago, who told her she had 'PMDD' causing her to break down in tears after finally feeling relieved from a diagnosis.
According to the Mind, 'Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) characterized by emotional and physical symptoms that significantly disrupt a person's daily life, particularly during the week or two before menstruation.
'It is a hormone-related mood disorder that can include symptoms like severe mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, and physical discomfort'.
The former Geordie Shore star said diagnosis is just the first step and she is still on the quest to find treatment that works as it is 'uncontrollable'.
Vicky credit the help of her husband Ercan Ramadan, 31, who she tied the knot with last year after seven years of dating, for understanding as it has previously 'put a huge strain' on their relationship.
Vicky has now contacted Health Secretary Wes Streeting to deliver news of GMB's findings and wants to see education on women's health improve in schools, get GPs more informed and give greater support to women in the workplace.
The TV star said she understands Mr Streeting is a 'busy man' but she believes that 'ignore me' is the same as ignoring all the woman suffering in Britain and that 'our quality of life doesn't matter'.
It comes after Vicky shared a candid snap of her 'belly hanging out' as she revealed the reality of returning home from holiday after her getaway with Ercan.
The couple jetted off on a lavish holiday to the Maldives where she shared a slew of stunning bikini snaps.
However, Vicky also shared a more realistic behind the scenes look at her life as she posed in a slouchy T-shirt with her stomach out, wearing a £650 hair growth helmet.
She captioned the post: 'Awwww home sweet home.... I absolutely LOVED our holiday... but how nice is getting home as well? To your comfy old clothes, your own bed and your favourite snacks?
'Just being able to let it all hang out while in your period pants with your belly hanging out like Winnie the Pooh in the comfort of your own home is a TOP feeling isn't it?!!
'Also, big shout out Mother Nature for giving my my period the day I travelled home... cheers lass!'
The photo displayed quite the contrast between those shared by Vicky while on holiday, with the former I'm A Celeb winner sporting a glamorous look in a red bikini, which highlighted her stunning figure.
But she had received backlash after posting the steamy snaps, with one fan taking to the comments section writing: 'God doesn't she love herself', with Vicky promptly hitting back: 'And what gave you that impression?! Or can you just not stand to see a confident woman?'
She then shared two throwback snaps and revealed it has taken her years to get to the happy place she is at now and to 'finally feel comfortable in my own skin'.
What is premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)?
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a more severe form of the more common premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
PMDD can cause severe physical and mental symptoms that begin seven to 10 days before menstruation and can continue for the first few days of a period, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Suffers can have depression (and even suicidal thoughts), anxiety or even anger during that period. People with PMDD may also struggle with fatigue and forgetfulness, along with headaches and difficulty sleeping.
The disorder also includes more common symptoms shared with PMS, including bloating and cramps.
PMDD may affect as many as 10 percent of people who have periods. No cure currently exists, but hormonal birth control and antidepressants have been found to help treat the condition, while over-the-counter pain relievers can help with some of the physical pain.
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