Singer Wendy Kimani opens up on battling hormonal disorder

By Diana Anyango | 3yrs ago | 3 min read

Netherlands-based Kenyan singer Wendy Kimani has opened up on battling with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The condition is a hormonal disorder which affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age and causes hormonal imbalance and metabolism problems, affecting their overall health and appearance. September being PCOS awareness month, Wendy used the opportunity to speak on her personal journey with the condition and how she manages it.

“I have PCOS and it is NOT an easy journey. So when my period started getting irregular, meaning 3 to 9 months would pass without me seeing my period, was like ‘waaaah phewwwks’... who wants to deal with every month crampy, annoying mood swings situation? Nope not me and I saw it as a blessing. I had no idea that that was the first RED flag (pun intended hehe) that I was blissfully ignorant too.”

“Second, I started to add weight. I was real skinny. I didn't like being skinny and always admired curvy women so when I started seeing those curves pop out I was like ‘Eehhh who invited you booty? Hey, boobies you late but werrocomuu and sitidowni.’ I was finally feeling like a woman. Unfortunately, that was red flag two, ignored!

“Third, my mental health! In your early 20s, we go through a lot of hard firsts. The first breakup, university stress, decision fatigue (what do I want to do in life?)...a lot. Then this dark fog started to slowly cover me. All of a sudden I was sadder than I was happy...and when the sadness came over me, it destroyed me. Red flag three.

“Fourth, hair on my chin (Haha I can’t believe I'm saying this but) yup itty bitty hairs. The most embarrassing one of them all. Some women have the 1 or 2 or 5 hairs but mine were multiplying like aaaiiii the f#$%. Now, this I couldn't ignore. That's when I saw a doc and was told I was insulin resistant!” she wrote.

Wendy went on to reveal that her diagnosis left her feeling alone and broken. With time, however, she says she’s learnt to embrace her condition and delights in creating awareness on the condition.

“I felt alone, broken and cheated of my youth. It felt like I was the only person that I knew who had PCOS. I'm still on a journey of accepting and managing it. I’ve learnt so much about how to manage it through sharing my story and finding women with the same issues and sharing ways to manage it.”

Lifestyle change

After being put on medication and contraceptives to regulate her periods, Wendy explains that she saw a positive change and was more than excited. When her drugs ran out, however, she says her condition reoccurred and she made the decision to regulate her PCOS through her diet.