Nollywood actress Etinosa Idemudia has opened up about enduring online harassment over physical symptoms related to polycystic ovary syndrome, using her platform to educate the public about the incurable hormonal condition affecting millions of women worldwide.
The 40-year-old filmmaker took to Instagram this week following another incident where a woman criticized her appearance, specifically mentioning visceral fat. Rather than responding defensively, Etinosa said she researched the term and discovered it connected directly to PCOS, the condition she’s been managing for years.
“A lady came to troll me talking about visceral fat. I didn’t get angry, I googled it and found out it is from a female targeted medical condition called PCOS,” she wrote. “I discussed with my Gynae on how to manage this because PCOS has no cure, you only manage its symptoms.”
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects between five and ten percent of women of reproductive age globally, according to medical researchers. The hormonal disorder causes a range of symptoms including irregular periods, excess androgen production leading to facial hair growth, difficulty losing weight particularly around the midsection, insulin resistance, and fertility challenges.
The actress, who has previously undergone liposuction surgery to address stubborn body fat linked to her condition, directed her message to women facing similar struggles. She acknowledged that the mockery sometimes comes not just from strangers online but from intimate partners, a reality that compounds the emotional toll of managing a chronic health condition.
“I’m writing this to every woman out there with PCOS to tell you that you are not alone. Even if it’s your husband that is mocking you or strangers online. You will overcome,” Etinosa wrote. “I carried my baby and you will carry your baby. That facial hair or stubborn fat does not make you any less. You are beautiful and you are enough.”
Her reference to carrying a baby holds particular significance given her public journey with fertility. Etinosa welcomed her daughter roughly three years ago after what she described as a decade-long struggle with childlessness tied directly to PCOS. She’s spoken openly about the shame and tears that accompanied those years, particularly the cultural tendency in Nigeria to blame women when couples face conception difficulties.
In August, the actress revealed she underwent cosmetic surgery at Heritage Hospital after years of constant bullying and mockery focused on her stomach. She explained at the time that while she tried to stay positive, the relentless criticism affected her deeply, especially since many people remained unaware that her weight distribution resulted from a medical condition rather than lifestyle choices.
“My fat is largely caused by PCOS, but many people don’t know. We should all be kind to one another because everyone is dealing with something,” she told Sunday Scoop in an interview following the procedure. The surgery involved liposuction and fat transfer, along with ten sessions of hyperbaric oxygen therapy to support healing and reduce inflammation.
Etinosa’s decision to undergo the procedure sparked divided reactions on social media. Supporters praised her honesty about the challenges of living with PCOS and her choice to do what made her feel confident in her body. Critics, however, questioned whether cosmetic surgery addressed the root hormonal issues or simply provided a visual solution while the underlying condition persisted.
Medical professionals who weighed in on social media discussions emphasized that while surgery doesn’t cure PCOS, it can help women feel better about their appearance after years of battling weight gain that proves resistant to diet and exercise due to insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances. The procedure addresses a symptom rather than the cause, but for many women struggling with body image issues compounded by a chronic condition, that distinction matters less than feeling comfortable in their own skin.
The actress acknowledged that working in the entertainment industry influenced her decision, noting that appearance and talent work together in show business. She admitted that excess fat sometimes made her look older than her years, and she wanted to project confidence that matched her professional abilities.
“As an actor, looks and skill go hand in hand. Talent is important, but I now feel more confident and ready to keep building on the work I’ve started in Nollywood,” she stated following her surgery. The results, which she documented extensively on Instagram, showed a noticeably slimmer midsection that generated both congratulatory messages and fresh debates about cosmetic procedures.
What makes Etinosa’s advocacy particularly powerful is her refusal to hide either her struggles or her solutions. In an industry where many celebrities undergo procedures but attribute results to diet and exercise, she’s been remarkably transparent about both her PCOS diagnosis and her choice to pursue surgical intervention when managing symptoms through traditional methods proved insufficient.
She’s previously revealed the emotional impact of battling PCOS throughout her first marriage, a period when she believed she was the problem before gaining clarity about the medical nature of her fertility challenges. That experience shaped her perspective on the unfair burden women carry when couples face conception difficulties, particularly in Nigerian culture where family pressure often focuses blame on wives.
The actress even transformed her personal story into a film titled “When Tables Turn,” which premiered in January 2024 on her YouTube channel. She described it as both ministry and entertainment for others grappling with similar challenges, acknowledging that sharing her journey might help someone else feel less alone in their struggle.
Her latest Instagram post continues that mission of visibility and support. By responding to trolling with education rather than anger, she models how public figures can leverage negative interactions to create broader awareness about misunderstood health conditions. The post resonated with numerous women who shared their own PCOS experiences in the comments, creating a community of support around a topic many still find difficult to discuss openly.
PCOS remains underdiagnosed and poorly understood despite affecting millions globally. Symptoms vary widely among women, making diagnosis challenging. Some experience severe acne and excessive hair growth, others struggle primarily with weight gain and irregular periods, while many face fertility issues that only become apparent when trying to conceive. The psychological toll of managing visible symptoms in a society that often judges women harshly for physical appearance adds another layer of difficulty.
Treatment typically involves managing individual symptoms through medication, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgical interventions. Birth control pills can regulate periods and reduce excess androgen. Metformin helps manage insulin resistance. Anti-androgen medications address facial hair and acne. Weight loss, though difficult for women with PCOS due to insulin resistance, can improve symptoms and fertility outcomes. But as Etinosa noted, there’s no cure, only management of an ongoing condition.
The actress’s willingness to discuss facial hair alongside weight gain addresses aspects of PCOS that women often find particularly distressing. Excess androgen production can cause hair growth in places society typically considers masculine, including the face, chest and back. For women navigating societal beauty standards that prize smooth, hairless skin, this symptom carries significant emotional weight.
Her message that women are beautiful and enough regardless of these physical manifestations challenges narrow definitions of femininity while acknowledging the very real distress these symptoms cause. It’s possible to support women’s right to manage their PCOS however they choose, whether through cosmetic procedures, medical treatment, or acceptance of their natural presentation, while also pushing back against societal standards that make those symptoms feel shameful in the first place.
Social media’s role in both tormenting and supporting women with visible health conditions creates complex dynamics. The same platforms where trolls mock physical appearance also allow women like Etinosa to build communities, share resources and normalize conversations about conditions previously hidden or misunderstood. Her nearly one million Instagram followers give her significant reach to counter harmful narratives and provide alternative perspectives.
As she continues advocating for PCOS awareness, Etinosa joins other Nigerian celebrities who’ve spoken about reproductive health challenges. The growing willingness among public figures to discuss fertility struggles, hormonal conditions and mental health represents a cultural shift in a society where such topics were traditionally kept private or attributed to spiritual rather than medical causes.
For women reading her posts while battling their own PCOS symptoms, whether diagnosed or undiagnosed, her visibility matters. It confirms their experiences are valid, their struggles are recognized, and their choices about managing their condition deserve respect rather than judgment. Her journey from decade-long childlessness to motherhood, from constant criticism about her body to surgical intervention and continued advocacy, illustrates that there’s no single correct path through chronic health challenges.
The conversation around PCOS needs continuation beyond celebrity disclosures. Medical professionals require better training in recognizing symptoms across diverse presentations. Healthcare systems need to provide affordable access to treatments that help women manage their conditions. Society needs to stop equating women’s worth with their appearance or fertility. But in the meantime, voices like Etinosa’s create space for women to feel less alone, less ashamed, and more empowered to make choices that serve their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Her closing message, that women will overcome and carry their babies regardless of facial hair or stubborn fat, speaks directly to fears many with PCOS harbor about their futures. It’s a message of hope grounded in lived experience, coming from someone who walked through the hardest years and emerged with both the child she longed for and the confidence to share her story publicly despite ongoing criticism.
