Jenny Powell Calls for Urgent Action on Women’s Health After a Decade-Long Silent Battle

For over ten years, TV presenter Jenny Powell endured debilitating symptoms, from severe pelvic pain and heavy bleeding to chronic constipation—all without answers. It wasn’t until October 2024, at the age of 56, that she finally received a diagnosis and underwent a robotic hysterectomy, a procedure that removed her uterus, cervix, and pelvic congestion.

Now, she’s speaking out about the urgent need to take women’s health more seriously, calling for better healthcare access, shorter diagnosis times, and improved education on conditions that disproportionately affect women.

“I Just Got Used to It” – A Decade of Dismissal

Jenny, best known for her role on Wheel of Fortune, saw multiple doctors over the years in search of relief. But like so many women, she was often dismissed, told her symptoms were just part of "getting older," and left managing the pain alone.

"It bemuses me why women’s health is so neglected," Jenny said. "I had a uterus the size of a 16-week pregnancy, fibroids, adenomyosis, and full-on pelvic congestion. It was pressing on my intestines, bladder, and kidneys—but I was just expected to put up with it."

The impact on her daily life was profound. Family holidays were scheduled around her period, work commitments became difficult, and even simple things—like attending a yoga class—became a challenge.

"I was changing four times a day. At yoga, I always had my mat by the door so I could run to the toilet three times in an hour."

Turning to Private Healthcare

Faced with NHS waiting lists of up to five years, Jenny made the difficult decision to go private. While she acknowledges how privileged she was to have that option, she believes that all women deserve timely and effective healthcare—without financial barriers.

"I felt incredibly lucky that I could pay for private treatment, but the reality is that so many women don’t have that choice. They’re stuck suffering, waiting years for help."

Breaking the Silence and Building a Community

Since her surgery, Jenny has taken to social media to document her recovery and share information to help others navigating similar experiences. The response has been overwhelming.

"Since that day, I’ve been inundated with messages from women who are suffering," she said. "It’s turned into this whole community, which is amazing—but it shouldn’t have to be this way."

She has also teamed up with her gynaecologist to create Q&A sessions, aiming to spread awareness and help women advocate for their health.

Time for Change

Jenny’s experience is part of a wider pattern—women’s health conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, and adenomyosis are frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed, leaving women to suffer for years before receiving the care they need.

Her message is clear: the healthcare system needs to change. From shorter diagnosis times to improved awareness and research, she wants to see a world where women don’t have to fight to be heard.

"We are the first generation of women juggling careers, family, fitness, and caregiving. We don’t have time to ‘just live with it.’ What we think is acceptable, just isn’t."