As a dynamic midfielder for the Dutch Lionesses, Desiree van Lunteren charges across the pitch with boundless energy. Yet behind the scenes, this top athlete grapples with Crohn's disease, a chronic condition that tests her limits.
"My last flare-up hit about a month ago. I was in my Freiburg apartment—where I've played professionally for a year—curled up in agony on the bed. The pain was overwhelming; I just wanted to shrink into myself. When I called my boyfriend, he reassured me: 'It'll pass, just rest.' And rest was all I could do, waiting it out."
Growing up in a football-obsessed family—parents and older brothers all players—it was inevitable I'd lace up my boots too. My talent shone early: by 16, I was with AZ and in the Netherlands U19 squad. Social life faded; football became my world.
Stomach pains had started back then. Doctors dismissed it as energy drink overload—maybe, but inconsistent. At 18, I scheduled tests but delayed for the European Championship prep after switching to Telstar, where I thrived.
Just before the Euros, during warm-ups against Germany with the senior Lionesses, agony struck. Painkillers failed; I doubled over, crawling the field, nauseous and unable to straighten. Even as a fighter, I had to stop.
Tests back home revealed the truth: a camera showed inflammation riddling my intestines from start to finish. 'Desiree, it's Crohn's disease,' they said. Calmly, I took the brochures and headed home with my parents, unaware of the lifelong implications.
Emailing results to my team doctor stunned her. Naive to the severity, I shrugged: 'We'll figure it out.'
Crohn's triggers are elusive—no clear diet links for me; I eat freely, even Chinese or wine. Meds (pills, injections) failed that year; nightly ER visits for excruciating pain, diarrhea (up to 15 times/night), vomiting, and drastic weight loss left me utterly drained.
Fears loomed: Could I continue? National team debut fresh—would this end my career? Yet I rarely missed training, pushing through with grit to seize my shot.
Meds stabilized us somewhat, but a dangerous narrowing between small and large intestines required surgery in 2013 to remove affected sections.
Post-op and on tailored meds, I'm stable now—though flares persist, demanding acceptance. Recovery lags after intense sessions; fatigue and slight slowdowns on-pitch may factor in, unprovable. Wellness tips from others (herbs, coconut oil frying) are kind but unhelpful.
Stress amplifies symptoms pre-big games, so I minimize it. Locker-room pain? Pre-match painkillers—like in the Euros final. Running improves circulation, easing it. Others mistake it for nerves; I know better.
Few know; I don't complain. Teammates understand; roommate/girlfriend Inez spots my quieter pain states— a comforting safety net.
With my boyfriend a year now, life's good lately—he can't fathom the lows. National coach asked about World Cup contingencies; I focus forward: train hard, arrive fit, adapt as needed. Too pragmatic for what-ifs.
Debuted for Netherlands in 2012 vs. France. 2017 Amsterdam Sportswoman of the Year; Euros winner. Over 200 caps, 100+ goals. Pregnant summer 2020, son born December. Switched from Ajax to PSV in March 2021.
Crohn's is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease impacting the full digestive tract. Rising in Western countries; ~80,000 Dutch cases (1 in 200), half Crohn's. Peaks 15-30; slightly more women. Symptoms: bloody/mucousy diarrhea, pain, anemia, fatigue, weight loss, incontinence, fever, ulcers. More at Maag Darm Lever Stichting: mlds.nl
Text: Santé/Merel Brons, Photo: Getty Images
