Victoria Beckham's PCOS Journey Is Far Too Relatable For Many Women

PCOS affects 1 in 10 women. While you or someone in your social circle may be affected by this hormonal health issue, there are also many female celebrities who have shared their struggles with the disorder. Victoria Beckham, who is among the celebs that confessed to plastic surgery after years of denying it, is one of them. 

Her PCOS journey may feel very relatable for many women. Beckham was said to have been diagnosed with PCOS during a routine checkup while struggling to get pregnant with her fourth child, whom she gave birth to in 2011 (per Cosmopolitan). This specific timeline is crucial, as it reveals that during an appearance on an April 2010 episode of "The View," Beckham was in the thick of her struggle with infertility. 

When host Barbara Walters pressed her on whether or not she wanted more children, Beckham put on a smile and simply stated she was happy enjoying her three boys at the moment. However, hiding a private health battle under the media spotlight can reach a breaking point. In an interview with Now Magazine, Beckham shared that she was tired of fielding questions about whether she planned to get pregnant again. "I keep that big smile and say something like, 'Actually, I'm struggling with infertility because of my PCOS, so my husband and I have been through several fertility treatments," she revealed (via Cosmopolitan). Aside from her difficulty conceiving, the painfully invasive questions she faced are what make Beckham's PCOS journey relatable for anyone tired of smiling through a private hormonal struggle. 

Although Victoria Beckham got her happy ending when she gave birth to her daughter Harper Seven Beckham in July 2011, she is far from the only female celebrity who has admitted to struggling with PCOS. In fact, some celebrities have shared that they deal with a combination of hormonal hurdles that make managing their health even more complex. Actor Daisy Ridley revealed that she had been diagnosed with both PCOS and endometriosis. She shared in a now-deleted 2016 Instagram post (via Teen Vogue) that her "skin was the WORST" and that the hormonal acne took a toll on her emotionally. 

"I can safely say feeling so self conscious has left my confidence in tatters," she said. Ridley even admitted that even though she hated putting makeup on, she reached a point where she didn't want to leave her house with a bare face. Changes to the face, such as unusual hair growth and severe acne breakouts, are common PCOS symptoms that impact many women and their self-esteem. 

Ridley concluded with encouraging women to advocate for themselves and their health. She told her followers to see a doctor and be persistent about testing for hormonal levels. The "Cleaner" star is right — look out for the potential signs you may have infertility problems and seek medical advice as soon as you can, because being proactive can make all the difference.