Sasha Pieterse, now 27, spoke openly about her struggles with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and how it affected her weight while filming “Pretty Little Liars.” She discussed her experiences on the podcast “The Squeeze” with hosts Taylor Lautner and Taylor Dome Lautner.
Pieterse shared that she noticed changes in her metabolism around the age of 15, but by 17, she had gained 70 pounds without any explanation. Despite seeing multiple gynecologists, she felt unheard as they couldn’t identify the cause of her weight gain. She revealed that she never had a regular period and was often told by doctors that her condition would regulate over time.
The actor expressed her frustration with the ordeal, as her health continued to deteriorate despite her efforts to take care of her body. Eventually, Pieterse sought help from an endocrinologist who was able to diagnose her with PCOS. She admitted that she had never heard of the disease before, and she learned that PCOS is a hormone imbalance that is easy to diagnose through hormone and vitamin deficiency tests.
PCOS affects a significant percentage of women and can lead to symptoms such as infertility, irregular periods, acne, thinning hair, diabetes, and excess hair growth. Pieterse shared that she experienced many of these symptoms.
In 2020, Pieterse opened up to People magazine about her concerns regarding PCOS and starting a family with her husband, Hudson Sheaffer. However, she considered it a blessing that they were able to conceive naturally and welcomed their son, Hendrix Wade Scheaffer, in November 2020. Pieterse noted that her pregnancy helped balance her hormones and improve her PCOS symptoms, giving her hope for the future.
Overall, Pieterse hopes that by sharing her journey with PCOS, she can raise awareness about the condition and help others facing similar challenges.