'I was in constant agony...I could barely walk before PCOS diagnosis' - model Louise O'Reilly
no repro fee if Arnotts mentioned in caption at the launch of the Arnotts Autumn Winter 2014 Lingerie Collections in their Henry St Store-photo Kieran Harnett Louise O'Reilly at the Arnotts Autumn Winter 2014 Lingerie Collections in their Henry St Store. Picture: Kieran Harnett
Daniella Moyles, Rosanna Davison, Louise O'Reilly
Louise O’Reilly at the launch of PurpleTag.ie, the new Irish online shoe store.
Louise O'Reilly and Lynn Kelly at the Arnotts Autumn Winter 2014 Lingerie Collections in their Henry St Store. Picture: Kieran Harnett
Lynn for Arnotts
Louise O'Reilly at the Arnotts Autumn Winter 2014 Lingerie Collections in their Henry St Store. Picture: Kieran Harnett
Louise O'Reilly at the Arnotts Autumn Winter 2014 Lingerie Collections in their Henry St Store. Picture: Kieran Harnett
Model Louise O'Reilly has revealed she is in constant pain to the point where she can barely walk following a diagnosis for polycystic ovaries syndrome.
The condition is one of the most common hormonal glandular disorders among women and affects 5pc to 10pc of those of reproductive age.
no repro fee if Arnotts mentioned in caption at the launch of the Arnotts Autumn Winter 2014 Lingerie Collections in their Henry St Store-photo Kieran Harnett Louise O'Reilly at the Arnotts Autumn Winter 2014 Lingerie Collections in their Henry St Store. Picture: Kieran Harnett
"I was in constant pain for a really long time and I'd been for numerous tests and scans, but they couldn't figure out what was wrong," Louise told the Herald.
The Morgan Models beauty sought a second opinion to try to learn what was causing her so much pain.
"They just kept telling me that nothing was showing up on the scans and that I was young and should be fine," she said.
"So I sought a second opinion as a sort of last-ditch attempt to figure out what was wrong and the specialist did investigative keyhole surgery and diagnosed me with polycystic ovaries syndrome.
Louise O'Reilly at the Arnotts Autumn Winter 2014 Lingerie Collections in their Henry St Store. Picture: Kieran Harnett
"I had adhesions which meant some of my organs had stuck together so they remedied that, which should hopefully relieve some of the pain.
"But the cysts in my ovaries were too small to remove so we're looking at alternative treatment plans over the coming months."
Louise O’Reilly at the launch of PurpleTag.ie, the new Irish online shoe store.
Brave Louise had the surgery only two weeks ago, but she has already done a few modelling jobs in order to avoid letting down her clients.
"I'm supposed to be off for at least a month but I just didn't want to let my clients down. Working in Ireland is great as clients and stylists really look after you.
"The stylist on one of my shoots, Roxanne Parker, was down on her hands and knees putting on my shoes, so I've been really well looked after."
Louise isn't returning to full-time work just yet, though, and has cancelled all of her international jobs for the moment.
"I hope to be well enough to head to London Fashion Week, but with an illness like this you just can't predict how you're going to feel," she said.
"Some days are great and others are awful, so I'll just take it as it comes."
The Malahide model announced her condition with a photo of an IV drip in her hand.
"It was such a weight off my shoulders to finally know what was wrong that I just wanted to share my experience," she said. "The response from women of all ages has been amazing."
Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel
Stay up to date with all the latest news
