Nicola McLean has revealed on Loose Women that she can't have any more children because she suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome.
The reality TV star shared the heartbreaking news on the ITV show, fighting back tears as she explained why she's unable to have more children. 'It is what it is. I've got two boys so I am lucky. I really did want another one [child], I find them so cute. It's like a mini me and Tom... I really did want more babies', the 35-year-old said, confessing that she would like to have a bigger brood.
Nicola explained that she suffers from PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), which is forcing her to undergo a hysterectomy.
'I've had cysts now on and off for years and had them removed quite a lot of times. I've been so ill, they've been infected. I had a temperature of 41 [degrees], literally lying in bed shaking...', the former model said.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects how a woman's ovaries work, causing irregular periods, excess androgen ('male' hormones) and polycystic ovaries (ovaries become enlarged and fluid-filled sacs surround the eggs).
Image: ITV
Nicola is a mum to two boys
She's had to deal with the condition for years, but doctors have now decided it would be best for her to undergo a hysterectomy.
'My doctor said to me, "They just keep on coming back and how many times are you gonna be lucky enough for it to be a healthy cyst?"'
Despite her visible heartbreak, the mum-of-two offered a comforting word of advice to PCOS sufferers, saying that the condition can be managed.
'Don't think if you have polycystic ovaries it means the end for everyone, it really doesn't and it can be really manageable', she said.
Nicola also revealed she's still waiting to undergo the procedure: 'I haven't had the date for the operation yet, as the cysts have come back and they've got infected.'
The former Big Brother contestant also added that she's had other issues with her health before, having had pre-cancerous cells detected in her smear tests.
'My smears never come back okay, there's always pre-cancerous cells, so I just have really bad luck when it comes to women's problems. I need some good karma!'
