Vicky Pattison speaks out on PMDD and medical misogyny – Health Secretary agrees to meeting

Vicky Pattison: “You are led to believe that every other woman in the country is dealing with this… and you are weak for not being able to deal with it.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has confirmed he will meet Vicky Pattison following her passionate call for urgent action on medical misogyny and delayed diagnosis of reproductive health issues in women.

The announcement was made live on Good Morning Britain after the broadcaster aired exclusive new statistics revealing that three in five women in the UK have experienced reproductive health problems—yet over half said they felt dismissed by a medical professional.

More than a third reported waiting over a year for a diagnosis.

Vicky, who suffers from Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)—a severe hormone-based mood disorder—used the platform to highlight the devastating toll undiagnosed or misdiagnosed conditions are taking on women nationwide.

“The study shows that women are waiting at least a year for diagnosis—I myself waited around five,” said Vicky.

“This is an issue that is affecting women all over the country, all different ages, it’s generational… You feel ashamed. You are led to believe that every other woman in the country is dealing with this and it’s just PMS, and you are weak for not being able to deal with it.”

Vicky has written to Mr Streeting to demand reform, asking for better education, GP training, and legislative change to ensure women are heard and properly diagnosed. GMB presenter Ed Balls confirmed live on air that Mr Streeting’s team had responded, stating:

“We can confirm that Wes Streeting will be meeting Vicky Pattison. He has confirmed through the health department that he is going to be in touch with her today.”

The findings, shared in a special segment on GMB, have sparked widespread online discussion. One user posted on X:

“A GP told me at 12 and 22, ‘I’m a woman, deal with it!’ I am now 32 and still have had no help and I am still struggling. I’ve given up fighting to get help.”

To that, Vicky urged:

“Don’t give up… I am aware a lot of women are in a different position and that’s why I am so passionate about talking about it.”

In a series of deeply personal reflections, Vicky described how she met women like Kelly, who waited almost thirty years for a diagnosis, and Manika, 27, who now “can’t really leave the house” or live a full life because of being dismissed repeatedly by the health system.

She stressed this isn’t about male doctors being unsympathetic:

“Medical misogyny isn’t a sexist issue. Some of the doctors who told me to ‘try losing weight’ or to ‘suck it up’ essentially were women. This is about lack of understanding and knowledge within female reproductive health.”

Looking ahead, Vicky outlined her hopes for change:

“We have to start in schools… Women are woefully naive about what is happening to their body and I think that is deliberate… Then I think GP’s… need to have a better understanding of these things. It took me five years and about five different doctors to even find one that knew what PMDD was.”

She also called for better access to online and local health hub resources, as well as changes to legislation to support timely and accurate diagnoses.

“This has to stop!” Vicky said firmly. “We’re going to hold him accountable either way… Fingers crossed he is a fan of the jungle and knows who I am.”

By the end of the programme, Ed Balls confirmed:

“The meeting is on, Vicky Pattison get ready to come back on GMB soon!”

Good Morning Britain weekdays from 6am on ITV1, ITVX, STV & STV Player