Sasha Pieterse Sheaffer, widely recognized for her role in Pretty Little Liars, has become an advocate for health awareness, particularly concerning Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Her journey involves struggles with weight gain, mental health, and the path to self-acceptance, all while navigating life in the public eye.
Early Struggles and PCOS Diagnosis
Sasha Pieterse's health issues began during her time on Pretty Little Liars. From a young age, she experienced irregular periods, often dismissed by gynecologists as a normal part of growing up. However, around the age of 15 or 16, she noticed significant changes in her metabolism. By 17, she had gained 70 pounds in a year, seemingly without any apparent reason.
Pieterse visited numerous gynecologists, over 15, seeking answers, but was repeatedly told she was simply eating too much or not exercising enough, despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This lack of a proper diagnosis was a frustrating and disheartening experience. It felt as though things were worsening despite her best efforts.
Eventually, Pieterse was diagnosed with PCOS, a hormonal disorder that affects many women. The diagnosis provided validation, confirming that there was a legitimate reason behind her body's changes. PCOS is not curable but can be managed, and Pieterse found relief in understanding what was happening to her body.
Understanding PCOS and Its Varied Manifestations
PCOS is a disease that is not curable but can be dormant. One of the most frustrating aspects of PCOS is that it can manifest differently in each woman. Symptoms can include irregular periods, unusual hair growth, gastrointestinal issues, cysts on the ovaries, and weight gain.
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Pieterse emphasized the importance of seeking medical advice if experiencing any of these symptoms, as a hormone imbalance could indicate PCOS, potentially leading to other health issues like ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or thyroid problems. Many women have PCOS without even knowing it, making awareness and early diagnosis crucial.
Dancing with the Stars and Weight Loss
In 2017, Sasha Pieterse participated in Dancing with the Stars, which significantly impacted her health and weight loss journey. Rehearsing with her partner, Gleb Savchenko, she lost 15 pounds. She attributed this to a combination of factors: finally understanding her condition and the intense physical activity required by the show.
The supportive environment of Dancing with the Stars and the ability to openly share her struggles with PCOS were invaluable to Pieterse. The experience allowed her to raise awareness about the condition and connect with others facing similar challenges.
Mental Health and Body Image
Sasha Pieterse's journey with PCOS also took a toll on her mental health. She experienced waves of depression, body dysmorphia, and disordered eating. The public scrutiny and constant comments about her weight exacerbated these issues, especially during her teenage years.
Pieterse tried various methods to manage her weight, including restrictive eating, but nothing seemed to work. She was often told she was crazy or doing something wrong, which further contributed to her emotional distress.
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Pregnancy and Postpartum Body Image
After being diagnosed with PCOS, Pieterse was finally able to understand her body’s changes. “I was like, ‘What’s that?’ I’d never heard of PCOS before. And it’s a disease, it’s not curable. It can be dormant, that’s - at this stage - that’s what they know,” she explained. “And the most frustrating part about this is that it’s fairly easy to diagnose. Pieterse continued: “You won’t have a regular period, but the catch is, a lot of other things look different, so every woman - everyone has a different experience with it. It could be your period, it could be weird hair growth, it could be major gastro[intestinal] issues, it could be crazy cysts on your ovaries, it could be weight gain.
Pieterse also discussed the pressures of postpartum body image. She emphasized that a woman's body changes after pregnancy, and it is unrealistic to expect a "snapback." She stressed the importance of self-acceptance and adjusting to a new postpartum figure.
Actively Speaking Out About Health Issues
Sasha Pieterse has been candid about her health struggles, including her PCOS diagnosis and epilepsy diagnosis at 17. She shared that she had been diagnosed with epilepsy, which was unknown to the public until recently.
She also recounted her experience of visiting 17 different gynecologists, all of whom dismissed her concerns and attributed her symptoms to overeating or lack of exercise. Getting a diagnosis was validating and empowering.
Women in the Nude Podcast
Sasha Pieterse launched the Women in the Nude podcast to create a platform for women to discuss taboo topics and share their experiences with health, identity, and motherhood. She realized how many women she knew personally who had PCOS but either didn't know it or never talked about it.
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The podcast aims to address the lack of clear markers for PCOS and the importance of women being taken seriously about their health concerns. Pieterse hopes to create a community where women feel supported and informed.
Other Celebrities' Health Journeys
Sasha Pieterse is not alone in her health struggles. Many other celebrities have shared their experiences with various health issues, contributing to a broader conversation about health and wellness in the public sphere.
- Amy Schumer: Diagnosed with Cushing syndrome due to steroid injections for scars.
- Hailey Bieber: Experienced stroke-like symptoms due to a blood clot and later underwent a procedure for a hole in her heart.
- Justin Bieber: Diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, causing temporary facial paralysis.
- Jamie Foxx: Suffered a brain bleed that led to a stroke.
- Emilia Clarke: Survived a brain aneurysm.
- Shailene Woodley: Battled a health condition that affected her hearing and mobility.
These stories highlight the importance of awareness, early diagnosis, and seeking proper medical care.
Advocating for Self and Building a Community
Sasha Pieterse advocates for women to trust their bodies and persist in seeking answers when faced with health issues. She emphasizes the importance of finding healthcare providers who take their concerns seriously and provide proper diagnoses.
By sharing her story, Pieterse hopes to build a community where women feel empowered to speak openly about their health struggles and support one another. She believes that the more women talk about these issues, the more awareness and understanding will grow.
Sasha's Advice
Pieterse's journey offers several key takeaways:
- Advocate for yourself: Trust your body and persist in seeking answers.
- Seek proper diagnosis: Don't dismiss symptoms or accept inadequate explanations from healthcare providers.
- Embrace self-acceptance: Understand that your body may change, and that's okay.
- Build a community: Connect with others who share similar experiences for support and understanding.
- Raise awareness: Use your voice to educate and inform others about PCOS and other health issues.
Beyond Acting: A Multifaceted Career
Sasha Pieterse Sheaffer is not just an actress but also a published author and wellness entrepreneur. Her cookbook and lifestyle guide, Sasha in Good Taste, reflects her approach to self-care and entertaining. She is also the founder of the Women In The Nude podcast, where she creates a safe space for women to share their stories.