BBC Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty has shared advice on speaking to GPs after her own experience
The BBC star’s book ‘It’s Probably Nothing’ focuses on women’s health(Image: Getty )
Naga Munchetty has revealed what she considers the ‘best’ sentence to use when visiting your GP to ensure you’re properly ‘heard’. The BBC Breakfast host has been candid about her own health struggles and her adenomyosis diagnosis, which wasn’t confirmed until she was 47, despite experiencing symptoms since her teens.
Five years ago, she detailed her experience of having a coil fitted and discussed her struggles with debilitating, painful periods. The reaction from listeners was extraordinary and prompted her to speak more openly about her symptoms and investigate other women’s experiences with medical treatment.
The 51-year-old has penned a book, ‘It’s Probably Nothing: Critical Conversations on the Women’s Health Crisis’. During a previous BBC Radio 4 show, she explained to host Anita Rani why she felt driven to tackle this subject after feeling ignored when seeking medical assistance.
Discussing her book at the time, she told listeners: “I’m sick of women not being listened to.” She also offered her guidance on how to speak up and be heard when seeking medical help.
During the Woman’s Hour episode, she referenced a section in her book centred around GP appointments. She said: “There’s a chapter in here, which I was really nervous about writing, called ‘The GP Appointment’, because I thought ‘this is going to sound really patronising, everyone knows how to book a GP appointment’.
“But, this is more about what you say. You make a list, write down your concerns, you prepare.” She explained: “The best sentence I found is, ‘this is negatively impacting the quality of my life’.
“You cannot ignore that. ‘I have had to take time off work, I am losing my job, I have been unable to care for my children.’ You have to be specific, and they must offer you help.”
She added: “They want to. This isn’t about GPs not wanting to help. This has just got to be a better partnership, so that you are listened to.”
Munchetty has battled adenomyosis since her teenage years, and has spoken openly about how deeply frustrating the road to diagnosis was, with doctors repeatedly dismissing her symptoms as ‘normal’ or advising her to simply push through the pain for years on end.
The BBC presenter endured debilitating symptoms including heavy menstrual bleeding, excruciating pain, and nausea, ultimately turning to private healthcare to seek proper treatment. She has since used her public profile to shine a light on adenomyosis and the struggles women face in accessing appropriate medical support.
She told listeners: “My periods basically involved flooding, which meant that I would also have to set an alarm through the night to change my period products. I’d sleep on a towel, I was in so much pain that I would sometimes sleep on the floor so that it would be painful that way, so I wouldn’t have to think about the other pain.
“I would pass out, I would vomit, I would have diarrhoea, and I would still be going to work. I would wear two pairs of knickers and I would always pack a spare pair of tights, I’d never wear white on my bottom half. And, you know, I am not uncommon. And just because it’s not uncommon doesn’t mean it is normal.”
Reflecting on her experiences with medical professionals, she said: “But no one ever asked me or investigated why they are so heavy. I was told, ‘you’ll grow out of it’, what nonsense. ‘It’ll be better when you have a baby’, so I’ve got to have a baby to stop being in pain?
“And then when it was finally diagnosed, everyone says, ‘weren’t you relieved?’ Yeah, I can put a name to it, but there is no cure. You look into it, and there’s not enough research or money put into women’s reproductive issues.”
What is adenomyosis?
According to the NHS, adenomyosis is a condition where the lining of the womb starts growing into the muscular wall of the uterus. Several treatments are available to help manage symptoms. The condition is most commonly diagnosed in women aged over 30 and can impact anyone who has periods.
While some people may show no symptoms at all, typical indicators of adenomyosis include extremely painful periods and excessive menstrual bleeding. Additional symptoms can manifest at any stage of the menstrual cycle, including pelvic discomfort, abdominal bloating or a sensation of pressure in the tummy, and pain during sex.
It’s crucial to understand that endometriosis is a distinct condition where tissue resembling the womb lining develops in other locations, such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes. If you’re experiencing severe pelvic or period pain that’s worse than normal and doesn’t ease with painkillers, book an urgent appointment with your GP or ring NHS 111 for help.
What happens at a GP appointment?
If you’re showing symptoms of adenomyosis, your GP may ask about your menstrual cycles. They might also check your tummy for any signs of swelling or bloating. When booking your appointment, don’t hesitate to request a female doctor. The doctor may also suggest an internal examination to check your vagina and cervix, which is the passage between the vagina and the uterus.
If you’d like, you can have a friend, relative, or another member of staff present during the examination. In some cases, further tests may be needed to identify the cause of your symptoms or to rule out similar conditions, such as endometriosis. These tests might include an ultrasound or an MRI scan.
What are the treatments for adenomyosis?
If you’ve been diagnosed with adenomyosis, there are a number of treatment options available to help ease your symptoms. These include:
- The IUS (intrauterine system, also known as Mirena or hormonal coil), which helps to thin the lining of the womb, resulting in lighter and less painful periods.
- Various forms of hormonal contraception, if the IUS isn’t suitable for you, such as the progestogen-only pill, the combined pill, or the contraceptive patch.
- Medications like tranexamic acid or NSAIDs.
Should these treatments prove ineffective, surgery may be required. This could mean a hysterectomy or a procedure to remove the womb lining (endometrial ablation).
Can you ease the symptoms of adenomyosis?
There are several ways to help manage period pain or pelvic pain brought on by adenomyosis, including placing a heat pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel on your stomach. You might also consider using a TENS machine – a small device that delivers mild electrical impulses to relieve pain – or taking over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
The NHS says: “It’s not clear what causes adenomyosis. You may be more likely to get it if you are over the age of 30 and have given birth.”
