She shot to fame as the bubbly blonde competing for Matty J’s heart on The Bachelor.
But while Simone Orsher saw plenty of airtime on the show, it seems she’s been keeping a secret from her fans.
The 25-year-old British expat took to social media on Tuesday to reveal that she’s been suffering from a crippling health condition for over a year.
“I have PCOS, which is Polycystic ovary syndrome for those who don’t know,” she explained in the lengthy post.
“This means my hormones are constantly imbalanced which impacts my weight, my skin, my period makes me constantly bloated and consequently gives me really bad anxiety at times.”
She continued: “In order to cope with my symptoms I make sure I maintain a well-balanced life, I exercise regularly, and I eat lots of good wholesome foods and surround myself with supportive people.”
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“If any of you deal with something similar I would love to hear how you cope with it as I know I struggle and am still struggling to this day.”
Many of her followers were quick to applaud her for speaking so candidly about her health issues.
“We are all in your corner Simone! Well done for sharing this part of your life ❤️” one user wrote.
“Well done for openly sharing your story Simone. Everybody has their own story and by being real, you are helping many young girls,” added another.
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PCOS is relatively common, affecting up to 18 percent of girls and women of reproductive age. It’s a complex hormonal condition which causes cysts to form on the ovaries.
Common symptoms include irregular menstrual cycles, mood changes, obesity, excessive facial or body hair, acne, type 3 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
While PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility, most cases remain undiagnosed. The exact cause is unknown, although it’s believed it may be connected to family history, insulin resistance and lifestyle or environment.
PCOS can’t be cured, but it can be managed with the right treatment. If you think you may have PCOS, visit your doctor.
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This article originally appeared on Women’s Health
