Florence Pugh, 28, is open about her journey toward preserving her fertility, sharing how her diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis led her to freeze her eggs. In a recent appearance on the She MD podcast on November 19, Pugh explained that despite coming from a family where women had children well into their 40s, she never expected to face fertility challenges.
"I didn’t realize I needed to worry about infertility," she recalled. "Then at age 27, I learned that I needed to act quickly to freeze my eggs, which was a mind-boggling realization." She expressed gratitude for discovering the need for egg preservation early enough to take proactive steps.
PCOS, a hormonal disorder that can lead to irregular periods, infertility, and other symptoms, and endometriosis, where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus and causes pelvic pain, are conditions that can make it harder to conceive. Pugh admitted that she wasn’t initially aware of the implications of these conditions, but now appreciates the importance of being proactive about her health and fertility.
"I didn’t think it was something you’d feel or really know you had," she shared. "But once I found out, I had to make changes to my lifestyle and think ahead about my future, which isn’t something most people think about in their 20s."
Pugh is grateful for the opportunity to use her personal experience to help others. She shared that her friends have already started seeking medical advice and testing after learning about her own journey. "Just by me learning a tiny bit of information, it’s already led a few of my friends to check their health, and they’ve discovered they have the same condition."
Reflecting on her future plans, Pugh expressed a longstanding desire to have children. In an interview with British Vogue earlier this year, she mentioned that her new movie We Live in Time had made her reassess her views on family. "I’ve always thought about starting a family. I want to have kids, and I love the idea of a big family," she said. "It’s just about figuring out when."
