Pretty Little Liars Star Sasha Pieterse Bravely Opens up About Health Struggles

Sasha Pieterse was a child when she starred as Alison DiLaurentis on the hit TV series, “Pretty Little Liars.” Fans saw her grow up onscreen, and a twist in the story saw her return to the show later, looking different. This is something that Pieterse has opened up about in an interview on the “SHE MD” podcast with cohosts Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi and Mary Alice Haney.

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Sasha Pieterse Reflects on Challenges of Finding Answers for Her Health

“I started Pretty Little Liars when I was 12,” Pieterse said on the August 19 episode. “By 17, I had gained 70 pounds and was silently battling seizures, irregular periods, acne, and hair loss, while playing an ‘It Girl’ on TV.”

She continued, “I really started struggling with something, I didn’t know what it was. I had also just been diagnosed with epilepsy, which nobody knew until very recently. So I was dealing with seizures with no cause — and I started gaining weight.”

The actress reflected on this time and how she experienced depression and “body dysmorphia and disordered eating.” For a long time, she struggled to get a diagnosis that would bring her the answers she needed. Her concerns seemed to be ignored.

“They all said I was just eating too much or not exercising enough, even though I was doing everything right,” she explained. “If I ate more salads, I would’ve turned green.”

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A Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Diagnosis Changes Everything

Pieterse was later diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which helped her better understand what her body was going through at the time. “I’m not crazy, there is actually something that’s going on with me — now I have a label,” Pieterse said. “Now I know that there are steps I can take to try and regulate it and move forward.”

The podcast also highlighted five key takeaways from Pieterse’s chat with “SHE MD,” which are empowering and bring awareness to disorders like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Two of them that stand out are: “Advocate for yourself: Trust your body and persist in seeking answers. Pretty Little Liars Star, Sasha, saw 17 gynecologists before getting a proper diagnosis,” and “Don’t ignore painful periods: They may signal underlying conditions like endometriosis.”

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Sasha Pieterse’s Fans Show Their Support

A clip from the interview was shared on Instagram by the “SHE MD” podcast, and Pieterse was tagged in it. The post allowed fans to react to what Pieterse had said, and the comment section is filled with messages of love and support.

“You’re so brave and amazing! Love this Sasha!!,” a comment reads. “Sasha, you’re such a strong woman, a warrior, you went through an unimaginable thing and you got stronger by it, we all love you …,” another person shared.

Other reactions include, “She inspired me, and once I was (finally) diagnosed with PCOS, I started becoming an advocate on my socials. We shouldn’t have to suffer alone!,” and “Girl, I get it. Thank you for speaking about this. VERY IMPORTANT. I wish I’ve known all of this before. Keep up the good work.”

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