The Bachelorette alum Hannah Brown has spoken candidly about her years-long struggle with chronic health issues, sharing that she was prescribed a GLP-1 medication as part of her treatment for severe Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Now 31, the TV personality and author became well known through appearances on The Bachelorette, Dancing with the Stars, and for winning Fox’s demanding competition series Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.
In an emotional appearance on the SHE MD podcast with Mary Alice Haney and noted OBGYN Dr. Thais Aliabadi, Brown discussed the private medical struggles she was dealing with while living in the spotlight.
She said she spent more than 10 years coping with serious symptoms that disrupted her daily life, left her drained, and often went unaddressed by doctors.
PCOS is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women of reproductive age, and it can show up differently from person to person. Symptoms can include irregular or absent periods, acne, excess hair growth, weight gain, and fertility challenges, while many patients also deal with insulin resistance and emotional strain before they receive a diagnosis.
“Years of irregular periods, cystic acne, weight fluctuations, and anxiety were repeatedly overlooked before I finally received a clear diagnosis,” Brown shared, echoing the frustrating reality of millions of women worldwide who navigate the complex endocrine disorder.
Although GLP-1 receptor agonists, including drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, are often discussed in connection with weight loss, Dr. Aliabadi explained why one of these medications became an important part of Brown’s care. Recent international PCOS guidelines note that GLP-1 medications may be considered for weight management in some patients with PCOS, especially when metabolic issues such as insulin resistance are part of the picture, though they are not a first-line option and pregnancy safety data remain limited.
According to the doctor, PCOS is closely tied to insulin resistance. That process can interfere with hormone regulation, disrupt ovulation, increase inflammation, and contribute to shifts in weight.
Brown said that adding a GLP-1 medication alongside metformin helped address the deeper metabolic issues behind her condition instead of only targeting the outward symptoms.
“It actually fixed the root cause,” Brown explained, noting the profound physical relief the medication brought to her reproductive cycle. “It gave me my period back every 30 days.”
She also reflected on the intense pressure that came with her rapid rise in fame, saying the stress had a damaging effect on her body.
Brown said being stuck in constant anxiety and survival mode while filming The Bachelorette and Dancing with the Stars became a “silent saboteur,” worsening inflammation and making her hormonal issues more severe.
Her PCOS diagnosis was only one part of the picture. During further testing, a 3D ultrasound uncovered an unexpected structural condition: a septate uterus, sometimes described as a “double uterus” or uterine septum.
The condition involves a band of tissue dividing the uterine cavity and can raise the likelihood of fertility problems as well as miscarriage if not treated. Brown said she is now following a detailed treatment plan, including possible surgical correction, as she prepares for the possibility of trying for children with her partner in the future.
By sharing her experience so openly, Brown said she wants to help break down shame around reproductive health issues and encourage women to push for answers when something feels wrong.
“This is a reminder that your symptoms are real,” Brown emphasized, urging women not to ignore persistent signs of hormonal distress. “You deserve to be heard. You deserve to heal.”