Naga Munchetty has shared what she believes is the ‘best’ sentence to employ when visiting your GP to guarantee you’re properly ‘heard’. The BBC Breakfast presenter has been forthright about her own health battles and her adenomyosis diagnosis, which wasn’t confirmed until she reached 47, despite enduring symptoms since her teenage years.

Naga Munchetty, known for her candid approach on health issues, has revealed a key phrase she considers crucial for ensuring you’re properly understood during visits to your GP. The BBC Breakfast host has openly discussed her personal health challenges, including her struggle with adenomyosis—a condition that wasn’t formally diagnosed until she was 47, despite her suffering from symptoms since her teenage years.

Reflecting on her journey, Munchetty recalled an incident five years ago when she detailed the experience of having a coil fitted and the severe pain from her periods. The overwhelming listener response prompted her to speak more freely about her health issues and to highlight the shared experiences of women dealing with medical treatment.

At 51, Munchetty has authored a book titled ‘It’s Probably Nothing: Critical Conversations on the Women’s Health Crisis’. In a conversation with Anita Rani on BBC Radio 4, she discussed her motivation for writing the book, which stemmed from her experiences of feeling overlooked by healthcare professionals, as reported by the Mirror.

Highlighting the book’s purpose, Munchetty emphasized, “I’m tired of women being ignored.” She shared valuable advice on how to ensure your voice is heard when seeking medical attention.

“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 candidly about how profoundly frustrating the journey to diagnosis proved, with doctors consistently dismissing her symptoms as ‘normal’ or advising her to simply endure the pain for years.

The BBC presenter suffered debilitating symptoms including heavy menstrual bleeding, agonising pain, and nausea, eventually resorting to private healthcare to obtain proper treatment. She has since utilised her public platform to highlight adenomyosis and the difficulties women encounter in securing 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 womb lining begins growing into the muscular wall of the uterus. Various treatments are available to help control symptoms. The condition is most frequently diagnosed in women aged over 30 and can affect anyone who menstruates.

While some people may display no symptoms whatsoever, typical signs of adenomyosis include intensely painful periods and heavy menstrual bleeding. Further symptoms can occur at any point during the menstrual cycle, including pelvic pain, abdominal bloating or a feeling of pressure in the stomach, and discomfort during intercourse.

It is vital to recognise that endometriosis is a separate condition in which tissue similar to the womb lining grows in other areas of the body, such as the ovaries or fallopian tubes. If you are suffering from severe pelvic or period pain that is worse than usual and cannot be relieved by painkillers, arrange an urgent appointment with your GP or call NHS 111 for assistance.

What happens at a GP appointment?

If you are displaying symptoms of adenomyosis, your GP may enquire about your menstrual cycles. They may also examine your abdomen for any signs of swelling or bloating. When scheduling your appointment, do not hesitate to request a female doctor. The doctor may also recommend an internal examination to assess your vagina and cervix, which is the passage connecting the vagina and the uterus.

If you wish, you may have a friend, relative, or another member of staff present throughout the examination. In certain cases, additional tests may be necessary to determine the cause of your symptoms or to rule out similar conditions, such as endometriosis. These tests could include an ultrasound or an MRI scan.

Can you ease the symptoms of adenomyosis?

There are various methods to help alleviate period pain or pelvic discomfort caused by adenomyosis, including applying a heat pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a tea towel to your abdomen. You could also try using a TENS machine – a compact device that delivers gentle electrical pulses to ease pain – or taking over-the-counter pain relief 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.”