Montell Douglas battles severe pain from dysmenorrhoea

Montell Douglas, a 38-year-old Team GB athlete and former Gladiators star, is competing in the quarter finals of the popular dancing show, Strictly Come Dancing, despite struggling with a serious health issue. This health condition, known as dysmenorrhoea, leads to extremely heavy and painful menstrual cramps that have, at times, required hospitalisation. Just ahead of the show's first live performance this year, Montell experienced a particularly bad flare-up of her symptoms, causing her significant distress. During one severe episode a few years back, she faced a harrowing experience in the hospital after intense cramping led to convulsions, nearly resulting in her losing consciousness. This incident had a lasting impact on her, prompting her to speak openly about her experience and advocate for increased awareness regarding menstrual pain, particularly as it can be debilitating for many women. She revealed how hormones and temperature regulation issues can exacerbate the pain, making it even more difficult to manage. Additionally, she shared that she finds it challenging to predict the onset of her painful symptoms, which makes planning for pain management difficult. Montell has since found some relief from the pain due to contraceptive implants she received, and they have significantly reduced the severity of her menstrual cramps. Now, as she prepares to perform again on the Strictly stage alongside her partner Johannes Radebe, she remains committed to advocating for open discussions surrounding women's health issues. Montell's participation in the quarter finals comes after a tumultuous journey in the competition, where she was previously in a dance-off, nearly eliminated from the show. The judges saved her, highlighting the need for better conversation on topics that affect women's well-being. In addition to her participation in the dancing competition, Montell is set to be involved in the Strictly tour planned for 2025, alongside other celebrities, which could potentially further her platform and discussion around menstrual health.