From Sonam Kapoor Ahuja to Samantha Ruth Prabhu: Indian celebs that started a dialogue around women's health

Women’s health issues have been stigmatised since the start of time. We have conversations about our medical conditions in ways more discreet than a drug dealer peddling on the street. According to a 2021 study, most women working in high-paying jobs feel they shouldn’t be talking about their health issues because of the stigma attached to it. In fact, several women have dropped out of the workforce citing health issues. 

However, several celebrities have unabashedly spoken about their health conditions, thus encouraging many women to follow suit.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu

Recently, Samantha Ruth Prabhu opened up about having Myositis, an autoimmune disorder, on Instagram. “I am slowly realising that we don’t always need to put up a strong front. Accepting this vulnerability is something that I am still struggling with.” She further expressed that she has had good and bad days, “physically and emotionally”, and concluded saying that this too shall pass. It’s impeccable of her to express vulnerability on social media, and keeping it real.

Sneha Ullal

Ullal, who got noticed and how for her debut film Lucky—No Time for Love, ended up doing fewer films for a while after she got diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. She expressed in an interview that she was so weak that she couldn’t stand for more than 30 to 40 minutes. She also shared that for a while she kept shooting despite being in bad shape, which further worsened her condition. Which is when, she decided to stop and pay more attention to her health.

Sonam Kapoor

Did you know Kapoor was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when she was 17? She revealed her condition and said that it was her diet plan and insulin that kept her on her toes. Her condition is genetic and affects her body’s ability to produce insulin.

Manisha Koirala

Though she has been cancer-free for more than a decade now, Koirala went through ovarian cancer and emerged a survivor. She has since then spoken unabashedly about cancer, while spreading awareness about the same.

Yami Gautam Dhar

Beauty is a subject that is full of stereotypes. From hiding scars to worrying about wrinkles, imperfections often receive the Mean Girls behaviour from the world. But Yami Gautam, who is confident in her own skin and radiant, opened up about having a skin condition called keratosis pilaris. It involves having red blotches on your skin on certain areas but remains non-malignant.

Deepika Padukone

During a time when conversations around mental health were just finding takers, Deepika Padukone opened up to the world about suffering from depression. She spoke about having negative thoughts and sleeping for long hours as a means of escapism. Since then, she has been a strong advocate for mental health conversations and has been the torchbearer when it comes to encouraging people to seek support.

Ileana D’Cruz

The Barfi actress has been very vocal about battling body dysmorphic disorder. She has also raised awareness on the things one should be sensitised to in dealing with such things. She had posted on her Instagram stories that she doesn’t want fans to comment on her body. D’Cruz wrote, “I know you mean well, but I kindly ask that you not comment on my body. Good or bad, I want to politely let you know it’s not helpful and doesn’t feel good. Much respect.”