Bronte Schofield, best known for appearing on Married At First Sight Australia in 2023, has opened up about the serious health issues she experienced after undergoing breast augmentation at the age of 22.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, the 32-year-old reality star revealed she developed breast implant illness (BII), a condition linked to chronic inflammation and a wide range of debilitating symptoms.
“I started noticing that my gut inflammation was getting worse about two years after I got them,” Schofield said. “I’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars on my health, and nothing seemed to help.”
Schofield, who married controversial groom Harrison on the show, initially sought answers from a Chinese medicine doctor who told her she had a “congested liver.” Further consultations revealed that the inflammation caused by her implants had affected her hormone processing and even led to early signs of menopause.
“My doctor told me, ‘100%, this is because of your implants,’” Schofield explained. “He said if I hadn’t tried to get on top of this, with how low my estrogen was, I could have ended up with breast cancer.”
The reality star detailed how BII also worsened her premenstrual syndrome, describing intense emotional episodes before her periods. “My PMS is like it’s on steroids. I hysterically cry for days,” she said.
Having already spent over £30,000 (around $60,000 AUD) on treatments to manage the symptoms, Schofield plans to undergo surgery to remove her implants, which cost her an additional £4,000 ($7,500 AUD). She is optimistic about her recovery and excited for a future without the health burdens caused by her implants.
“It’s time,” she said. “I want to love myself in a different way. This is an exciting new version of me. I can finally live inflammation-free, sleep through the night, and think clearly.”
Breast implant illness is a condition that affects some women following augmentation surgery, with symptoms ranging from chronic fatigue, joint pain, and gastrointestinal issues to anxiety, depression, and memory problems. Experts note that removing the implants can improve or even resolve the symptoms in many cases.
Reflecting on her experience, Schofield highlighted the pressures of beauty standards. “The fact that we put ourselves through surgery for fashion… it’s really mind-boggling, isn’t it?”
