BBC Breakfast’s long-serving news anchor Naga Munchetty, 49, has recently spoken candidly about a severe health ordeal that left her in excruciating pain and necessitated an emergency ambulance call. In an exclusive interview with The Times, Munchetty recounted her battle with adenomyosis—a condition she was diagnosed with in 2023—that had been initially misinterpreted by medical professionals as a “normal period.”
Munchetty detailed how her symptoms, which were far from ordinary, had been overlooked at first. Explaining the intensity of her pain, she described the ongoing struggle with a level of discomfort that defied the typical experience of menstruation. She told The Times, “(A normal period) It’s not throwing up. It’s not diarrhea. It’s not hugging a toilet and crying because you’re sweating through pain, fainting, cramped over, loading yourself up with painkillers way more than you should be, from the age of 15.”
Her account sheds light on the harsh reality of living with adenomyosis, a condition where the lining of the womb starts growing into the muscle wall of the uterus. According to the NHS, while there are treatments available to manage symptoms, the condition can result in persistent pelvic pain, bloating, and even discomfort during sex. Although it is more frequently diagnosed in those over 30, Munchetty’s experience underscores that it can affect anyone who menstruates, according to the Express.
In one particularly harrowing episode, Munchetty recalled how her symptoms escalated to a point where calling for an ambulance became inevitable. During that crisis, she confided in her husband, renowned TV director James Haggar, urging him with heartfelt desperation not to allow doctors to perform a hysterectomy on her while she was unconscious. This moment, shared during her disclosure, illustrates the gravity of her condition and the fear of irreversible interventions.
Munchetty’s revelation is especially poignant given her illustrious career in broadcasting. Starting as a reporter on Reuters Financial Television, she later secured roles at CNBC and Channel 4 before becoming one of BBC News’ most familiar faces. Despite her professional success, her personal struggle with adenomyosis reveals a vulnerable side that resonates with many viewers who face similar health challenges.
Her candid discussion on BBC Breakfast and subsequent appearance on BBC Radio 5 Live in 2023, where she admitted to enduring pain even while on air, has sparked a broader conversation about women’s health. Munchetty’s experience serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and addressing debilitating conditions that are often dismissed as routine.
As Munchetty continues to advocate for greater awareness of adenomyosis and improved medical scrutiny of women’s health issues, her brave testimony offers hope and validation to countless others suffering in silence.
