Michelle Madrigal expresses desire to get pregnant amid Hashimoto's disease, endometriosis battle
Michelle Madrigal has expressed her desire to get pregnant while dealing with Hashimoto's disease and endometriosis.
On June 20, Madrigal took to Instagram to share a candid glimpse into her life. First, a photo of her raising a glass appeared on her Story, captioned with a sentiment many can relate to: "No one really tells you how hard it is to find your mom tribe in your mid-30s."
She followed up with another selfie, opening up even further about the challenges she's facing. The accompanying text revealed the "emotional rollercoaster of trying to have a baby while dealing with Hashimoto thyroiditis and endometriosis."
According to John Hopkins Medicine, with this disease, "your immune system attacks your thyroid gland by mistake. Your thyroid then can’t make enough thyroid hormone, so your body can’t work as well."
A decline in thyroid hormone production can manifest in various symptoms, including fatigue and sluggishness, increased sensitivity to cold, excessive sleepiness, dry skin, constipation, muscle weakness, muscle aches, tenderness, and stiffness, joint pain and stiffness, irregular or excessive menstrual bleeding, depression, problems with memory or concentration, swelling of the thyroid, a puffy face, brittle nails, hair loss, and an enlargement of the tongue.
While there isn't a cure for Hashimoto's disease at present, medication can manage the condition by replacing hormones, which helps normalize hormone levels and restore metabolism.
Endometriosis, meanwhile, is a condition in which tissue that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It causes pain, especially during menstrual periods, and fertility problems.
Madrigal first shared her Hashimoto's disease diagnosis in 2018, several months after welcoming her daughter Anika in 2017.
At that time, she said that the doctors had yet to prescribe her a medication and that she would prefer to heal herself "in a holistic way."
"I have been doing my research on AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet and paleo diet, so I will most likely start with it after our vacation. I started cutting sugar & gluten into my diet and it is amazing that I am not really craving sweets lately," she said.
Madrigal rose to fame as a finalist of the reality competition Star Circle Quest in 2004. She was part of ABS-CBN teleseryes like Vietnam Rose, Crazy for You, and Maging Sino Ka Man, before her transfer to GMA Network, appearing in Kamandag, Dyesebel, Luna Mystika, and Zorro.
Madrigal eventually returned to ABS-CBN, with roles in Pasion de Amor, Born for You, and FPJ's Ang Probinsyano. Her movies include D'Anothers, One More Chance, Resiklo, My Big Love, My Monster Mom, and My Valentine Girls.
Madrigal got married to her non-showbiz husband, Kevin Neal, in July 2024. She was previously married to football player Troy Woolfolk, and they share a daughter, Anika. They divorced in 2022, but at the time said they remain friends and would co-parent their 7-year-old daughter.
