The pop star Kesha, whose real name is Kesha Rose Sebert, has reflected on the "horrifying" moment she almost died earlier this year after undergoing egg freezing—a process through which eggs are extracted from the ovaries as a means to preserve fertility.
"I almost died in January," the singer said during a recent interview with Self, recalling how last year she opted to freeze her eggs, but later became unwell and too weak to walk. With her health in decline, Kesha went to the hospital, where doctors discovered that she had developed an uncommon, yet serious complication from the fertility procedure.
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As with many medical procedures, there can be health risks associated with egg freezing, including ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, infection, and bleeding related to egg retrieval, according to UCLA Health. In Kesha's case, she says her complications were, in part, attributed to her weakened immune system—a result of her recent common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) diagnosis.
Kesha went on to spend nine days in hospital, but said that only now does she "finally feel recovered."
"It took a couple months," she told Self. "It was horrifying."
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Going on to speak about why she chose to freeze her eggs, the 36-year-old said she wanted to ensure she always has options in the future. "I just was taking my reproductive health into my own hands," she said. "And I stand by everyone doing that and [honoring their] body."
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Last year, Kesha was diagnosed with CVID, a group of conditions that affect how the body’s immune system makes antibodies and fights infections. CVID is a lifelong condition that affects one in 25,000 to 50,000 people globally, and the condition reportedly puts Kesha at at an especially high risk of developing recurrent, and potentially serious, infections.
"I just never wanted to be the whiny, privileged girl," Kesha told Self about why she hasn't opened up about her diagnosis until now. She then admitted that ignoring the condition resulted in "severe exhaustion physically and mentally."
Jade Biggs (she/her) is Cosmopolitan UK's Features Writer, covering everything from breaking news and latest royal gossip, to the health and fitness trends taking over your TikTok feed. She also works on first-person features and investigative long-reads, taking a deep-dive into mental health, celebrity culture and women's rights. Jade has been a journalist and content writer for ten years, and has interviewed leading researchers and doctors, high-profile influencers and fitness experts. She is a cat mum to four fur babies and is obsessed with Drag Race, bottomless brunches and wearing clothes only suitable for Bratz dolls. Follow her on Instagram or Twitter.
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