Andrea McLean Opens Up About Her Difficult Hysterectomy Struggle

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andrea-mclean
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Loose Women star Andrea McLean has opened up in an interview about her recent struggle with endometriosis and the perimenopause, and the devastating surgery she had to have as a result.

Andrea has been open and honest about her health battles in the past, regularly opening up the issues she's been facing on Loose Women or over on her social media.

Andrea McLean's operation left her 'doubled in pain'...

Last September, the candid star was experiencing a hugely difficult time, when she underwent a hysterectomy to help solve her battle with endometriosis and perimenopause.

However, the surgery had complications, and the popular TV star was often left doubled in pain - even minutes before presenting the ITV show, Loose Women.

Of the excruciating pain, she's previously admitted to The Mirror, "I was doubled up on the sofa. I was trying hot water bottles, paracetamol, Nurofen, anything I could get over the counter but it didn't work.

"I had numerous scans. They found out one of my kidneys was enlarged and twisted, meaning veins from my kidney down to my bladder had become varicose.

"I was sitting in a corner constantly holding my stomach before going on air."

But in a brand new interview with Fit & Well magazine, Andrea has debuted her stunning figure after a year of slowly returning to exercise after her difficult operation.

She showed off her gorgeous figure, and admitted that it took a long while to regain her strength again.

She said, "I'd lost all my strength so I had to start very gently,

"I took two months off exercise and found it frustrating and depressing - I hadn't realised how important exercise was to me mentally,' says Andrea.

She also shared how she feels that her age is beneficial to her fitness motivation.

"But actually I think women of my age are fitter than younger women because we're doing it sensibly, you're focusing on the inside and the bonus is that the outside looks good.

"I have cellulite, I have grabby bits, I have scars, but I think I'm in great shape. I'm two years away from 50 and I look fabulous for my age. I'm really proud of myself, which is a nice place to be."

We think so too Andrea! Read the full interview in the new issue of Fit & Well magazine, out now.

Andrea reflects on her hysterectomy decision...

In a recent interview with the Daily Record, she also reflected on the past year, admitting that her hysterectomy wasn't something she undertook lightly.

"It was a big decision to make at 47 but it had to be done. The hardest part was the recovery and the strain that put on my body. I had to take it easy and give myself time to heal."

Now however, she's admitted that things are finally looking up for her.

"Things were pretty tough for a while but thankfully everything is OK now. It worked out for the best and I can honestly say I'm the happiest and healthiest I've ever been."

Of course, the star has recently celebrated an engagement to long-term boyfriend Nick Feeney - and this will be her third marriage.

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And it seems that Andrea has no regrets about being so open about her struggles, particularly because she's seen her honesty benefit so many people.

"I've been very honest and heartfelt about my experience and I get lots of letters from viewers saying it has helped them massively."

Amy Hunt

Amy Hunt is an experienced digital journalist specialising in homes, interiors and hobbies. She began her career working as the features assistant at woman&home magazine, before moving over to the digital side of the brand where she eventually became the Lifestyle Editor up until January 2022. Amy won the Digital Journalist of the Year award at the AOP Awards in 2019 for her work on womanandhome.com.