Yesterday, model Romee Strijd shared some exciting news via Instagram: she and husband Laurens van Leeuwen are expecting their first child. But along with the sweet photo—featuring big smiles and a baby bump—Strijd also offered some welcome honesty about her struggles with reproductive health and the journey to conception.
Strijd revealed that she was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in 2018, after going seven years without a period. A common cause of infertility (1 in 10 women struggle with PCOS), PCOS is defined by hormonal imbalances and metabolic issues that affect the ovaries, causing irregular periods and sometimes halting the ovulation process entirely. After researching the condition, Strijd concluded that her lifestyle was to blame—so she made some changes.
“I never felt mentally super stressed so it was hard to understand this, but my life consisted of traveling all the time (no biorhythm), working out every day, eating super clean (restricting foods),” said Strijd in the caption. “[I] came to the conclusion that I should do way less high-intensity training, don’t restrict foods, be nice to myself, and take breaks when needed. I also tried some natural supplements, acupuncture and we got a place back in the Netherlands as well, so we could spend more time with family.” Though the model’s methods may not work for everyone, her message of hope around conception is universal: “To the women trying to conceive, believe in yourself, and be nice for yourself and your body, and don’t let those thoughts get to you too much.”