TMI Celebrity Health Confessions You Should Actually Pay Attention To – Health Digest

It’s no secret that celebrities have a knack for oversharing. How many times have you thought “TMI!” after hearing a health-related story told with great glee on a national platform? Some of those confessions are merely tantalizing and make for interesting tabloid fodder, but others are so brow-raising that they make you want to call the TMI police. 

Why exactly Hollywood elites and the world’s biggest singers choose to tell the world their most private business is up for debate. Some may genuinely be open people, but others may need to draw attention to an upcoming project — and it’s certain that sharing gross, shocking, or otherwise questionable information is an easy way to make that happen.

What’s interesting, though, is that many of those over-the-top confessions involving health that make you want to tune right out may actually be worth your time and attention, because they could benefit your health. Here are a few of the more interesting (and possibly useful) stories to keep in mind.

Known for her distinctive voice, Grammy Award-winner Macy Gray recently made headlines when she opened up about taking Ozempic. The singer admitted that, despite trying to lose weight the traditional way, she ended up taking the medication with the hope that she would “lose weight really fast” (via Page Six).

Unfortunately, the popular drug had an unexpected side effect: It landed her in the hospital with digestive problems. On an episode of “Surreal Life: Villa of Secrets,” Gray explained to Johnny Weir and Kim Zolciak that she was in discomfort. “Oh, boy, my stomach hurts. I took Ozempic. I can’t go to the bathroom, and I was up all night,” she lamented (via People). In response, Zolciak confirmed it may be related to the medication. “Ozempic does that,” she claimed. “You have to be really careful, you know.”

According to the Ozempic website, digestive problems like abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are all common side effects. Focusing on diet could help, Dr. Jessie Cheung, a board-certified dermatologist, explains to RealSelf. “I recommend healthy fats, protein, and lots of vegetables,” she says, adding that water is helpful, too. “Since you are eating less, you won’t be pooping as often and you may experience constipation. When you’re not hungry, you may not feel thirsty, and you need water to help avoid constipation.”

Millions of women all over the world experience painful sex, but very few actually talk about it. Meghan Trainor may have done many of them a favor when she revealed on her Workin’ On It podcast that she, too, would feel significant discomfort during intercourse. She described the sensation as “stingy burning” and confessed that she would ice the area for relief.

Consulting with her doctor, Trainor learned of her issue. “I was told I have something called vaginismus,” she explained (via Glamour UK). “I thought that every woman walking around was always in pain during and after sex. I was like, ‘Doc, are you telling me that I could have sex and not feel a single bit of pain?'” It’s suggested that vaginismus affects up to 7% of women around the world, causing pain and burning during intercourse. For some individuals, penetration may not be possible at all. The condition may also make it difficult to have pelvic exams.

While stigma surrounding sensitive topics may prevent people from exploring the problem further, doctors are quick to point out that it’s not uncommon, and that treatment is possible. “It can involve a multidisciplinary approach — some people benefit from doing pelvic floor physiotherapy. For [others], it’s important to remove any skin irritants that could be causing harm or more sensitivity in the vulvar-vaginal area,” Dr. Kaitlyn Goldsmith, who teaches human sexuality at the University of British Columbia, tells Chatelaine.

If you’ve ever detected an unpleasant aroma from your urine after consuming asparagus, you’re not alone: Country music singer and actress Jana Kramer has, too. The difference is that you’ve probably never sniffed the sulfuric odor while you were using Chris Evans’ bathroom. All was unearthed on the Whine Down with Jana Kramer podcast, during which she divulged that the two had once dated.

One evening, after eating asparagus, she used the restroom — and identified the harsh odor. Evans, she says, went inside “immediately” after her. “So that’s the last interaction that I remember is him going into the bathroom after I just went to the bathroom with asparagus pee and never hearing from him again,” Kramer confessed (via HuffPost). She later clarified, per People, that the two simply “stopped talking” but that “he didn’t ghost me because of that.”

The good news: The odor affects some 20% to 50% of people, and simply occurs because the asparagusic acid in the vegetable breaks down into a compound containing sulfur. It may not smell pleasant, but there’s no need to avoid asparagus if you enjoy it. However, if your urine continues to smell 48 hours after you’ve consumed asparagus, it may be time to see your doctor. Urologist Amy Krambeck of IU Health Methodist Hospital says, “Foul-smelling urine could indicate other more serious conditions, such as a urinary tract infection or liver disease.”

Very few people want to hear about pinworms, but you’ll likely thank your lucky stars for Kristen Bell in the unlikely event that they do afflict you. On an episode of The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale in 2018, Bell shared that she’d been infected by the unwelcome parasites and that it was “very itchy” (per People). “Fifty percent of people over 15 don’t experience symptoms, which is the itch. Your kids get them because they put their hands in their mouth and they lay eggs.” Bell added that she only learned the pinworms were contagious after looking it up.

And that’s precisely how the pinworms spread through their household, as her daughter contracted the infection at preschool and brought it home with her. Because the eggs can live for up to three weeks on anything from bedding to air, it’s entirely possible to get pinworms without realizing it. In addition to anal itching, pinworms can also cause vaginal itching and even insomnia due to the discomfort.

While pinworms aren’t usually dangerous, excessive scratching could cause skin damage, which in turn could invite bacteria into a cut or scratch and cause an infection. Urinary tract infections could also develop if the worms enter the tract. Treatment typically involves taking either an over-the-counter or prescription anti-parasitic medication.

Jessica Simpson is known for many things, not the least of which is her pearly white smile. Once upon a time, though, the singer and fashion designer revealed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show that she brushed her teeth “maybe three times a week. I don’t brush them every day. I’ll just, I’ll use a shirt or something” (via Inside Edition). When asked why she’d taken such a stance, she offered a simple, if dubious, explanation: “They are just too slippery.”

While Simpson went on to claim that her breath was “great,” dentists are quick to point out that brushing anywhere less than twice per day goes against the guidelines recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA). Explains Dr. Anne Clemons, DMD, to the Cleveland Clinic, “The time you spend caring for your teeth is important. Spend two minutes brushing, twice a day. Less than two minutes isn’t enough time to properly clean every surface of your teeth, even if they look clean.”

Neglecting to brush regularly can dramatically affect oral health, increasing the chances of tooth decay, gingivitis, and periodontitis. A study even identified a possible link between cavities and cognitive decline. The findings revealed a lack of proper oral hygiene could increase a “systemic inflammatory response” that contributes to possible dementia.

She’s no stranger to TMI, but there are rare occasions when even Chrissy Teigen stuns her followers. That was the case when she turned to Twitter (now X) to get some pregnancy advice of a different sort. “I know it’s definitely more painful pregnant. But is waxing down there while pregnant a litttttle bit worse or a lot a lot worse? I can do a little bit worse.”

Viewed by millions, the question garnered plenty of attention. Someone asked Teigen why she was thinking about waxing her nether regions, to which she explained she was “trying to do the doctors a solid.” While it’s true that the surge in estrogen can cause hair to grow thicker even in the pubic region, it’s not essential to remove it. It’s strictly a personal choice that comes down to your personal comfort level.

If you do choose to wax, keep in mind that your tolerance for pain may decrease as your delivery date approaches. There’s also a risk of developing irritation, which could leave skin raw and lead to damage, particularly if you unwittingly disturb the area. From that perspective, trimming is the safest hair removal method, as there’s no risk of harming the skin and becoming vulnerable to infection. There’s also this word of advice from doula Angela Grant Buechner to Today: “Shaving pubic hair can INCREASE risk of infection at the time of birth, even with Cesarean birth. Leave the bush alone.”

There’s no question that Serena Williams is a legend — so is it any surprise that one of her rare faux pas is also the stuff of legend? Luckily, Williams herself was quick to share the quirky story and even laugh about it later. While in Rome for the Italian Open, she ordered a salmon and rice dish from the hotel menu for her Yorkshire Terrier. Thinking it looked rather appetizing, Williams sampled a bite to quell her curiosity.

The tennis player even posted a Snapchat video sharing the food with her followers, stating: “It comes with an expensive looking spoon. I’m like, ‘What the heck? I’m going to try a piece” (per CNN). Indeed the food did look deceptively human-friendly, with bits of pink salmon mixed with fluffy white rice. Unfortunately for Williams, that lone bite turned out to be the wrong decision. Two hours later, she revealed, she “ran to the toilet. I thought I was going to pass out. It did taste weird.”

From a general perspective, eating dog food isn’t a great plan, largely because it consists of animal byproducts, including everything from ground bones to organs. Needless to say, many of these additions aren’t part of the human diet and can make digestion especially challenging. The good news for Williams is that the tiny bite didn’t do much harm, but people should generally avoid eating dog food. It may be raw or contaminated, and that can increase the risk of developing salmonella or E. coli.

Occasionally, you’ll stumble across that age-old internet debate — and it turns out that actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis clearly fall into the “don’t use soap every day” camp. The spouses went public with their belief that soaping up on the daily is unnecessary, proclaiming the news on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast.

“I don’t wash my body with soap every day,” Kunis stated (via ABC News). Kutcher clarified that just because he didn’t lather up every day didn’t mean that he wasn’t clean. “I wash my armpits and my crotch daily, and nothing else ever. I got a bar of Lever 2000 that delivers every time.” They’ve applied the same principles in raising their children, with Kutcher adding that there was “no point” if there was no dirt on the kids.

While there may be some mixed reactions regarding this bit of information, the truth is that over 50% of adults shower at least once a day. Many people simply have a habit of doing so, while others may enjoy the sensory and calming experience of cleaning thoroughly. Still, dermatologist Dr. Joyce Park tells The New York Times that not everyone needs to soap daily. “[S]howering too frequently can definitely dry out your skin, worsening redness, itchiness, and flaking, and triggering eczema flares.” Dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick adds that soaps infused with hydrating ingredients can protect skin from those symptoms.

Not everyone washes their hands after they urinate. Just ask actress Jenna Fischer, who shared with the hosts of the Office Ladies podcast that she doesn’t always lather up at home after peeing. “I guess now you’re going to have to worry when you come over to my house,” she joked. “Did I wash my hands after I pee? I always wash my hands after poop. Always.”

As with habits like daily brushing and showering, handwashing ranks up there as one of the basics of everyday hygiene. At the very least, keeping your hands clean can protect you from spreading germs and help you stay healthy. But, when you’re at home and minding your own business, is it really a crime if you don’t wash your hands after flushing? While “crime” may not be the word, it’s certainly putting you at risk for contaminating other parts of your home — and that could eventually lead to sickness.

Hannah Newman, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, the Lenox Hill Hospital director of infection prevention, explains to Well+Good that anyone can pick up germs during any part of the bathroom experience, from wiping to flushing. Bacteria like E. coli and salmonella can linger on surfaces. Says Newman, “Others, such as norovirus, Clostridioides difficile, and hepatitis A, can survive for weeks or months.” It’s best not to chance it when you can wash your hands for 20 seconds (per CDC guidelines) and get on with your day.

Kelly Clarkson is undoubtedly a busy woman. She’s the host of The Kelly Clarkson Show, she’s an award-winning singer and songwriter, and she’s one of this generation’s most respected pop stars. She also happens to be someone who pees in the shower (and occasionally brushes her teeth in there, too) in an effort to save time. She explained on her show (via Audacy), “I pee almost every time in the shower! You can’t help it. It goes back to that childhood sleepover. You know, they put your hand in the hot water. Sometimes, you pee.”

While this isn’t a medical concern per se, it’s not everyone’s preferred method. Still, there’s probably no harm in doing so, Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, MD, who practices urologic and robotic surgery at the Orlando Health South Lake Hospital, tells Health. “Generally speaking, urine is sterile since it has no ‘living’ organisms. This isn’t always the case since someone could have a [UTI]. Also, the urine could pick up some bugs from the end of the urethra as it exits.”

A general rule of thumb is to avoid peeing in the shower if you’re not in your own shower. That includes public facilities (like gym bathrooms) and homes belonging to family and friends. You’ll avoid potentially spreading an infection and feel better knowing you haven’t contaminated a space that others use.

Modern wellness practices run the gamut from smart to quirky. Some may consider perineum sunning the latter, but for others it’s very much an essential self-care habit — including actress Shailene Woodley, who explained to Into the Gloss she likes to “[g]ive my vagina a little vitamin D. I was reading an article written by an herbalist I studied about yeast infections and other genital issues. She said there’s nothing better than vitamin D. If you’re feeling depleted, go in the sun for an hour and see how much energy you get.”

It’s not just Woodley, either; TikTok users by the millions have championed the trend that involves lying down in the sunlight, legs spread in the air with genitalia fully exposed. The theory is that exposing the perineum to ultraviolet rays will somehow imbue the person with energy. However, medical professionals say there’s no evidence that this is true. Dr. Gretchen Frieling, MD, a dermatopathologist, tells Allure, “All of these things involve an approach to healthy living that goes way beyond lying spread-eagle in the sun.”

She adds that the skin in this part of the body is delicate. “For the majority of people, this is a part of the body that has barely seen the light of day and, if it is exposed to the sun, has no defense mechanism to deal with the UV rays.” The bottom line: It’s best not to put your skin at risk.