GEMMA Collins has told fans she “can’t get pregnant” in a heartbreaking statement as she opened up about her health struggle.
The TV star bravely spoke about her battle with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal condition, admitting that it “sucks”.
She was diagnosed with PCOS when she was 28 after becoming alarmed by her sudden weight gain.
Gemma is now ready to have a baby with fiancé Rami Hawash, but has been unsuccessful for three years.
Today the star, 42, shared a glam photo in which she posed defiantly in a bikini and captioned it with an empowering message.
Stunning Gemma referenced the new Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie, and wrote in her post: “CARBOHYDRATED BARBIE FOR LIFE.
“With an under active thyroid and pcos everyday is a constant struggle but do you know what F – IT”
Gemma concluded her post with telling hashtags, including #badbitchbarbie #pcosfighter #underactivethyroidsucks #cantgetpregnantduetopcos #gc.
Her fans rallied around her and shared their own experiences with the condition.
One said: “Gem, I’ve got PCOS and struggled with infertility for years through IVF, ovulation induction etc but got pregnant at 43 through IVF and then again naturally at 45, so now have a beautiful boy and girl. Dont give up hope. Myo inositol supplements help xx”
Another said: “It’s tough Gemma I have pcos, endo and bam. You are what you are and deal with what life throws at you, those throwing stones dont live our lives. You look great x”
And a third wrote: “I’ve had an under active thyroid for years now and I just decided to stop the struggle and be myself.”
According to the NHS, one in five women in the UK has PCOS.
It is said to be hereditary and in severe cases sufferers can be left with excessive hair growth and acne.
Gemma previously told The Sun how she became aware something was going on with her body.
She said: “I was always very slim. But I really started piling on the weight and I’ll never forget it.
“I said to my mum, ‘Have you shrunk my clothes?’. She said, ‘I hate to break this to you, but you’re putting on weight’.”
Reflecting on the impact the condition has had on her life, and particularly her weight, she says: “I get so fed up of it. I get told I have such a lovely face, but what about my body, hunny?
“I just think it’s so sad that in society you’re programmed to think that thin is beautiful.”
POLYCYSTIC ovary syndrome affects one in five women and has an impact on how ovaries function.
According to the NHS, symptoms will often be experienced in early twenties or late teens and one of the symptoms is weight gain.Sufferers can struggle to release an egg to be fertilised making it often extremely difficult to fall pregnant.
For many, the only hint of PCOS is irregular periods, while in more severe cases sufferers can be left with embarrassing hair growth on their faces, chest, back and backside.
Having polycystic ovaries also increases a woman’s chance of developing type 2 diabetes, depression, high blood pressure and high cholesterol and sleep apnoea later in life, the NHS warned.
Gemma and Rami first dated in 2013, and Rami made several appearances on The Only Way Is Essex, the show where Gemma found her popularity.
The pair announced their first engagement on December 27, 2013, although this was broken off several weeks later.
He proposed to the star by hiding a diamond ring in a Christmas pudding.
They rekindled their romance in lockdown after she split from James Argent.
He is now a father to four-year-old son, Tristan, who is kept out of the public eye.
