Francia Raisa isn’t living a secret life.
Rather, the actress has always been open about her reproductive health, including her polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis—and what’s followed.
“In the past two weeks, things took a serious turn,” the Secret Life of the American Teenager alum wrote on Instagram June 26. “After years of confusing symptoms and seeing several doctors and taking different tests to get NO real answers, I found a new gynecologist who told me that I also have SIBO and endometriosis, which puts me at a very high risk of having complicated pregnancies in the future.”
SIBO—in other words, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth—occurs when there’s an abnormal increase of often uncommon bacteria, whereas endometriosis is an often painful condition in which tissue grows outside of the uterus.
For the 35-year-old, the news came as a complete shock, especially given the number of specialists she visited over the years.
“What strikes me the most is that it’s not enough that I take care of my health and body,” she noted. “With all the advances in medicine, there still isn’t enough research being done into women’s specific health care to really understand how women like me are able to ensure our opportunity to have a healthy life and family.”
The How I Met You Father star—who also sat down with Vice President Kamala Harris June 24 to discuss reproductive rights—criticized the lack of advancements in women’s health. “Instead, our rights as women, including access to critical (and sometimes necessary) health care, are being attacked,” Francia wrote, “and it pisses me off!”
But she’s learning to accept it—and feel strong.
"PCOS has been kicking my a-- lately with this weight fluctuation," Francia, who shared her diagnosis in 2023, admitted in Feb. "I've had zero motivation to work out. Forced myself yesterday and today. So proud."