Sasha Pieterse's Shocking Transformation: The Untold Story of Her 70 lb Weight Gain, Caught on Camera During 'PLL' Filming

Sasha Pieterse Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

Sasha Pieterse revealed the difficulties she faced when she gained 70 pounds at the age of 17. This occurred while she was filming the popular TV series "Pretty Little Liars" and was a result of her battle with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Pieterse, who is now 27, shared this during an episode of "The Squeeze" podcast hosted by Taylor Lautner and his wife, Taylor Dome, on August 9th.

Pieterse remembered experiencing symptoms of PCOS while portraying the character Alison DiLaurentis.

"I never had a consistent menstrual cycle and gynecologists always reassured me that it was just due to my youth. They told me not to worry, that it would regulate," the actress, who was part of PLL from 2010 to 2017, shared. "Around the age of 15 or 16, I began to notice changes in my metabolism. By the time I was 17, I had gained 70 pounds in a year without any apparent explanation."

Pieterse had visited more than 15 gynecologists, yet none could provide her with a suitable diagnosis. According to Pieterse, the doctors accused her of dishonesty regarding her weight gain and implied that her unhealthy lifestyle was responsible.

"It was extremely frustrating and discouraging because regardless of my efforts, regardless of how responsibly I cared for my body, my condition was deteriorating instead of improving. I was utterly confused," she expressed. "Eventually, after a lengthy journey, someone suggested I seek the help of an endocrinologist."

After receiving a diagnosis of PCOS, Pieterse gained a newfound understanding of the transformations her body was undergoing. (PCOS, a hormonal disorder characterized by irregular periods, excessive hair growth, acne, weight gain, and infertility, finally became comprehensible to her.)

Freeform/Scott Patrick Green

"I was unfamiliar with PCOS and its nature as a incurable disease. Currently, it is understood that it can lie dormant. The frustrating aspect of this condition is its simplicity to diagnose, as it is primarily a hormonal imbalance. Elevated testosterone or estrogen levels and low vitamin D levels are common indicators. Additionally, deficiencies in various areas may be present.

Pieterse further elaborated on the varied symptoms experienced by different individuals: irregular menstrual cycles, abnormal hair growth, gastrointestinal issues, ovarian cysts, and weight gain. In my case, I exhibited many of these noticeable outward symptoms."

During her participation on Dancing With the Stars in 2017, Pieterse discussed with We Magazine how learning ballroom dance aided her in losing weight throughout her PCOS journey.

"To be completely honest, I was already exercising vigorously and maintaining a healthy diet before. However, participating in the show only intensified these efforts," she revealed regarding her 15-pound weight loss while rehearsing with her partner, Gleb Savchenko. "It's a combination of factors. Discovering my PCOS condition and the subsequent involvement in Dancing with the Stars have truly benefited me. Working with Gleb as my partner has been incredible. Additionally, the overall process - the amount of effort we put in and the improvements to my overall well-being - has made me feel like my true self once again."

Pieterse expressed the difficulty of sharing her condition on national television, stating that she had never been on a show like this before. However, she appreciated the support she received from Gleb and everyone at Dancing with the Stars, finding it to be a valuable outlet. Pieterse, who has a 2-year-old child with her husband Hudson Scheaffer, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to raise awareness for PCOS and was thankful for the amazing experience.

Pieterse emphasized the significance of promoting awareness and motivating other women to undergo testing.

"There are certain things that may appear to be ordinary at times, depending on your lifestyle. However, I strongly believe that it is essential to consult a healthcare professional for a thorough examination," she expressed to Us. "A hormonal imbalance could potentially indicate the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can lead to the development of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, thyroid problems, and various other complications later on. Astonishingly, over half of women with PCOS are unaware of their condition. It is a pressing issue that I am determined to share in the hopes of assisting at least one individual in managing it."