The X Factor's Diana Vickers diagnosed with chronic pain condition after four years of mystery 'debilitating pain'
The X Factor 2008 semi-finalist Diana Vickers has revealed that after four years of debilitating, misdiagnosed pain, she has been diagnosed with pelvic congestion syndrome.
The X Factor 2008 semi-finalist Diana Vickers has been diagnosed with a chronic pain condition after years of "debilitating", misdiagnosed pain.
The 34-year-old star - who finished fourth on the ITV singing competition - has suffered pains in her back, legs, and pelvis for "four years", which was initially thought to be triggered by "endometriosis, IBS" before a doctor told Diana that it is "pelvic congestion syndrome".
She lifted the lid on her misdiagnosis and health ordeal in a candid video shared to Instagram on Wednesday (29.04.26).
Diana said: "For the last four years, I've come on socials to talk about how I've had debilitating pain and it's been a bit of a mystery, and, to be honest, I've been using socials a lot to help me because, like a lot of women my age, I've had pain and I've not known what it is.
"Unfortunately, this is a thing with women's health, we are misdiagnosed, there's not a lot of research and money into women's health, and, considering we are half of the population, that's very infuriating - but I won't go down that road right now.
"Finally, two weeks ago, I had a laparoscopy; my pain has been lower back pain, leg pain, pelvic pain, severe bloating. It's not a very sexy feeling.
"And, anyway, I've been told it could be endometriosis, IBS, but after my surgery, a doctor came in to speak to me and talked me through images of what they found, and it was actually something I've never heard of.
"Now, they spoke to me and said that this is what they're pretty sure that they have found by looking at my veins in my pelvis. I've got something called pelvic congestion syndrome."
The Give Out Girls actress then explained the chronic pain condition.
Diana continued: "Pelvic congestion syndrome is something found in women, and it's when, basically, when the veins in your pelvis stop working properly and pool with blood, and they wrap and twist around your ovaries, and it's extremely painful."
The entertainer breathed a sigh of relief when doctors gave her the diagnosis because Diana "felt like I was going absolutely mad for years" following "so many scans and blood tests and being told nothing was ever found".
Diana shared her diagnosis to remind women with a "mysterious illness" that they are not alone, and to raise awareness.
She said: "Anyway, the reason that I do want to talk about it on here is because, like I said, I think that there is a huge community of women out there that have pain, and they don't know what it is, it's this mysterious illness, and, honestly, it can be so lonely.
"And I've never heard of this before, PCS, and I didn't know whether by talking about it and, maybe, taking a few of you on my little journey - I say little, it's a big one to me - then maybe it can raise awareness and, maybe, I can help someone, or steer someone in the right direction.
"There is still a way to go, yet I need to get this report back."
Diana ended her video by thanking her medical team.
She said: "But I just have to say, Homerton Hospital and my doctors have been absolutely fantastic. We really are lucky to have the NHS."
