Battling Hormone Disorder Diagnosis, Country Singer Bebe Rexha, 33, Tops Music Charts for 50 Weeks

“I’ve been blessed to have hit songs in different genres throughout my career. Finding this kind of success within both the dance/electronic and country charts is something I’m really proud of. To have my music resonate with so many people and top charts across multiple genres is amazing and means a lot to me, as I’ve never wanted to be put in a box,” Rexha told Billboard during an interview.

Her success is more inspiring because she’s recently admitted she struggles with her body image partly because of her PCOS diagnosis. The condition causes female infertility and impacts “6 to 12 percent” of women in the U.S. who are of reproductive age according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Despite her condition, her resilient spirit refuses to be held back. One of the symptoms of PCOS is weight gain and Rexha’s admitted she too has struggled with her weight. Despite this, she has not shied away from embracing her body for all of its beauty.

 

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RELATED: Accepting Your New Body After a Cancer Diagnosis

“I know I’ve gained weight. Humans go through fluctuations. Not gonna lie it does suck and bother me when I read some comments, but it comes with the territory. I’ve been learning not to judge myself and accept myself while also trying to make healthier decisions in my life,” Rexha wrote in an Instagram post.

Coping With Body Changes Amid Health Challenges

Just as Rexha embraced her body over time, following similar guidance can help you too if you are faced with a health condition such as a chronic disease or cancer. It’s important to remember a health condition can cause your body to change, and the changes are not always visible to the naked eye.

“Changes to your body may be temporary or permanent. They include changes that can be seen by others, such as hair loss or weight gain,” MacMillan Cancer Support says noting physical changes.

“Changes that are not obviously visible to others such as infertility can also affect your body image and make you feel vulnerable about your body,” MacMillian Cancer Support added.

One way you can prepare yourself for possible body changes during a health journey is to understand changes are possible but also likely temporary. It also helps to build up your self-confidence. Your support group filled with loved ones can help you during this stage of your journey.

Psychologist Dr. Marianna Strongin shares with SurvivorNet some additional tips cancer warriors can explore to help manage the emotional toll body changes can have during treatment.

Dr. Strongin encourages cancer warriors to take ownership of the part (or parts) of their body mostly impacted by cancer treatment. She says although they may represent “fear and pain,” they also represent “strength and courage.”

“Research has found that when looking in the mirror we are more likely to focus on the parts of our body we are dissatisfied with which causes us to have a negative self-view and lower self-esteem. Therefore, I would like for you to first spend time gazing at the parts of your body you love, give them time, honor them, and then thank them,” Dr. Strongin said.

Dr. Strongin then suggests looking at the part or parts of your body impacted by the cancer or cancer treatment. She recommends creating a regular practice of accepting your body image because it helps you accept your cancer journey emotionally and physically.

“As you allow yourself to spend more time looking at all of you, you will begin having a new relationship with your body. It may not happen immediately, but with time you can begin honoring and thanking your new body.

Understanding Rexha’s Diagnosis

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) stems from a hormone imbalance impacting women during their reproductive years.

While health experts can’t pinpoint the exact cause of PCOS currently, the CDC says women with higher-than-normal androgen levels play a role in developing the condition. Other risk factors include being insulin resistant or overweight if you have a family history of PCOS or type 2 diabetes.

The National Institutes of Health points to the following symptoms that are associated with the condition.

• Menstrual irregularities (missed periods, no menstrual periods, very heavy periods)
• Excessive hair growth
• Severe acne
• Weight gain
• Oily skin
• Patches of thick discolored skin

While there is no cure for PCOS, leading a healthy lifestyle that includes proper diet and exercise helps. Medicines can also help with associated symptoms.

Does PCOS Influence Your Cancer Risk?

According to the National Institutes of Health, “PCOS increases the risk of some types of cancer. For instance, some research has shown that the risk of cancer of the endometrium, the inside lining of the uterus, may be higher for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) than it is for women without PCOS. Irregular periods, or a lack of periods, can cause the endometrium to build up and become thick. This thickening can lead to endometrial cancer.

“Data on links between breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and PCOS are limited. While some small studies have suggested that a lack of ovulation, as occurs with PCOS, is linked with an increased risk of breast cancer, other studies have not shown an association.”

The NIH adds, “While some research has shown more than a doubling of the risk of ovarian cancer in women with PCOS, scientists have not confirmed these links in large population studies, and further studies hint that women with PCOS may have a lower risk of ovarian cancer. Therefore, any associations between breast or ovarian cancers and PCOS remain inconclusive.”

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