Ushna Shah defends olympic athlete Imane Khelif amid testosterone controversy

Famous actress Ushna Shah has opened up about her struggle with high testosterone levels due to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

In Instagram posts and tweets, Ushna shared that she and many other women in Pakistan deal with PCOS, which causes high levels of the male hormone testosterone.

Ushna’s honest talk brings attention to PCOS, a common but often misunderstood health issue. She pointed out that PCOS causes hormonal imbalances, leading to problems like extra body hair (hirsutism).

Talking to her followers, Ushna said that high testosterone gives her stronger muscles and more energy. However, she made it clear that this does not make her any less female. She said that even with these hormonal changes, she is still fully feminine.

Ushna’s comments challenge old views that link high testosterone with masculinity or a third gender.

Her message is important, especially in light of recent events like the case of Algerian athlete Imane Khelif. Khelif qualified for the Paris Olympics and is set to compete in the finals. However, she faced controversy last year when she was disqualified by the International Boxing Federation due to an unspecified gender test. Even though the International Olympic Committee confirmed Khelif’s female gender, the Algerian has been attacked relentlessly by racists and transphobes, including JK Rowling and Elon Musk.