silent struggle
Naga Munchetty reveals she was called ‘wicked’ for ‘denying her parents grandchildren’ after being sterilised in her 40s
Meanwhile, Naga is "barely speaking to her Breakfast boss" after accusing him of "bullying and misconduct"
NAGA Munchetty has opened up about the backlash she faced after choosing to be sterilised in her 40s.
The TV presenter, 50, reveals the harsh judgement she endured over her personal choice - with some branding her "wicked" for denying her parents grandchildren.
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Naga took the plunge in 2019, having keyhole surgery to block her fallopian tubes in her mid-40s - after deciding with hubby James Haggar years earlier that kids weren’t on the cards.
She’d first tried the contraceptive coil, but it left her in agony, forcing her to ditch it just a year later.
With the coil out of the picture and determined not to rely on hormones or the daily pill, Naga opted for surgery - a permanent fix.
But when she opened up about her choice, she faced a storm of backlash, telling that she was branded "wicked" for denying her parents grandchildren.
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Naga said: "We liked the life we had and we wanted to pursue that life. Parenthood is expensive, it's exhausting and a commitment for life.
"My mum will say, 'You're still my baby and I worry about you.'
"But I remember people saying, 'That's so wicked! How can you deny your parents grandchildren?'
"It was hard for Mum, but she understands now. She says, 'Naga, it would have been wonderful to have grandchildren, but equally, it's wonderful seeing what you're doing and who you've become.' Isn't that what we want for our children?"
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Naga suffers from adenomyosis - a painful condition affecting one in ten UK women - where the womb lining grows into the muscle wall.
Though diagnosed in November 2022, she’d battled symptoms since she was 15, enduring 32 long years before getting answers.
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Naga has released a new book, It’s Probably Nothing, tackling medical misogyny and the urgent need for women to be heard in healthcare.
She admitted: "I feel a lot of responsibility as custodian to so many women's stories.
"They were often in tears talking to me, realising how much time and how many opportunities they've lost because of their health.
"They blame themselves for not pushing harder, though they did the best they could."
What is adenomyosis?
Adenomyosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus (myometrium). This tissue continues to respond to hormonal cycles, thickening, breaking down, and bleeding during menstruation, potentially leading to heavy and painful periods.
- Location: The endometrium-like tissue is found within the uterine wall, not on the outer surface as in endometriosis.
- Cause: The exact cause is unknown, but factors like inflammation, uterine injury, or increased estrogen levels are suspected.
- Symptoms: Heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods, and chronic pelvic pain are common.
- Diagnosis: Ultrasound or MRI scans can help diagnose adenomyosis.
- Treatment: Treatment options include pain relievers, hormonal birth control, and in some cases, surgery like a hysterectomy.
Naga revealed she kept her painful condition under wraps while hosting BBC Breakfast, determined not to let it affect her work.
She added: "People see me as a trusted source of information, no one's interested if I'm feeling unwell.
"In our industry, you don't want to seem weak and you don't want concessions because there's competition all around and you're always trying to be the best you can.
"So I will not let it affect my work. I'm stubborn as hell. I dose myself up with painkillers if need be and don't compromise being good at my job."
Meanwhile, Naga is "barely speaking to her Breakfast boss" after accusing him of "bullying and misconduct".
The BBC Breakfast presenter is said to have an "uneasy relationship" with her boss Richard Frediani.
A source has told : "Fredi has no relationship with Charlie and Naga, which is weird when they are half of his frontline presenting roster.
"It appears he doesn't like them and they don't like him - for whatever reason, they don't talk to each other."
The latest row has "blown up" staff WhatsApp groups, according to one insider.
It comes after Naga allegedly spoke to BBC News managers about her concerns, reported.
The senior newsreader is reportedly "quite open" with her misgivings towards his treatment of her colleagues.
The previously revealed that two misconduct complaints had been made against the editor of BBC Breakfast.
It is alleged Frediani physically shook one woman during a newsroom exchange last year.
Sources also claimed he was a "bully" at ITN, where he held senior roles on the team that produces ITV News.
Current and former ITN employees alleged he would shout, swear at and intimidate colleagues.
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The BBC declined to comment on individual HR matters.
ITN also declined to comment on historical allegations about Frediani.
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