Judi Love has shared that she has been struggling with a health condition for 20 years.
The Loose Women panelist has endometriosis, and divulged that the chronic illness can be ‘unbearable’ causing her both physical and mental pain.
Despite experiencing the symptoms, Judi says it took her five years to get an official diagnosis, which she added is four years earlier than some other women are forced to wait.
‘For women, our pain is often not always taken seriously, so symptoms are just put down to having bad periods,’ she stated.
Judi, 44, added to Mirror: ‘At the time, it wasn’t spoken about much, so when I received my diagnosis I honestly didn’t really know what it was, but the effect on my life, my physical and mental health, was sometimes unbearable.’
Endometriosis is when cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow in other parts of the body, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The symptoms can include extreme tiredness, severe period pain or heavy periods, pain during or after sex, and pain in the pelvic area. The condition can also lead to low mood or anxiety, and it can make getting pregnant difficult for some people.
The possible significant detrimental effect on women’s lives means that Judi, who is a single mum to two children, wants to speak on the subject.
‘I think it’s so important that people are starting to have more open conversations about endometriosis and the impact it can have, as well as pushing for diagnoses, because not having that pain recognised or acknowledged is really difficult,’ she explained.
Like many of us, Judi has made goals at the start of the new year, and a big one for her is prioritising wellbeing as ‘health is wealth’.
Speaking to the publication as part of her work on the Pink Lady Empower Your Lunch Hour campaign, Judi said: ‘It’s really worth investing the time in being active. It’s an ongoing thing for me which I work around my schedule, so my plan is to continue those habits for the rest of 2025.’
Judi also previously revealed her other big goals with Metro, after confessing she does not yet feel like she’s made it.
‘I want to be the one making the decisions. I want to be working on my own shows,’ she emphasised.
‘I could see myself with a chat show, and I’ve got many ideas for a sitcom. I’m writing a memoir at the moment too.’
Loose Women star Judi Love has endured ‘unbearable’ 20 year health battle