Stories: What’s it really like living with a reproductive health condition?

All stories, PCOS Katie Dickerson All stories, PCOS Katie Dickerson

Anastasia’s PCOS story

Anastasia had always suspected that something wasn’t right but spent most of her youth trying to hide from her symptoms. Even after getting a PCOS diagnosis, she struggled to get support to manage her symptoms from doctors.

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All stories, Adenomyosis, Endometriosis, Fibroids Majken Disch All stories, Adenomyosis, Endometriosis, Fibroids Majken Disch

Jen’s Endometriosis & Adenomyosis story

It wasn’t long after Jen had her first period, that her mum, who had had a hysterectomy due to her endometriosis, took her to the doctors knowing something wasn’t right. But Jen was told she was ‘one of the unlucky ones’ who experienced heavy periods and prescribed the pill. It took another 22 years for Jen to finally get a diagnosis, and by then the impact on her organs were devastating.

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All stories, PCOS Majken Disch All stories, PCOS Majken Disch

Lisa’s PCOS story

Lisa never suspected she had PCOS. Not until when at age 34 her cycle became irregular and she struggled to conceive again, after having no issues falling pregnant with her first child. Lisa began fertility treatment, but no one mentioned to her that her test-results had suggested she had PCOS.

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All stories, PCOS Majken Disch All stories, PCOS Majken Disch

Trini’s PCOS story

Trini always had incredibly painful and heavy periods, but it wasn’t until her early twenties that she was finally diagnosed with PCOS. In the meantime, the PCOS hadn’t just left her in physical pain, but also wreaked havoc on her body image and confidence.

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All stories, Endometriosis Majken Disch All stories, Endometriosis Majken Disch

Hannah’s Endometriosis story

Hannah was diagnosed with endometriosis when she was 14. Despite an early diagnosis, a lack of understanding from teachers and her peers made it difficult to navigate life at school. In addition, the question of how endometriosis might impact her fertility has been on Hannah’s mind since she was a teenager, and has impacted her dating-life and relationships.

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PCOS, All stories Majken Disch PCOS, All stories Majken Disch

Danielle’s PCOS story

Danielle was first diagnosed with PCOS when she was at university. She was promptly put on the pill and told to lose weight, with no more information or guidance. Years later, an unrelated health-scare prompted Danielle to do her own research and take back control over her PCOS symptoms.

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Ovarian cyst, All stories Majken Disch Ovarian cyst, All stories Majken Disch

Heather’s ovarian cyst story

When Heather was 23 she started experiencing pain in the left-hand side of her abdomen. Every other month. When the pain got worse she went to see a doctor, who insisted that it was kidney stones. Then followed a saga of missing scan results, emergency surgery and the question: could Heather’s ovary have been saved if someone had listened sooner?

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PCOS, PMDD, All stories Majken Disch PCOS, PMDD, All stories Majken Disch

Kathryn’s PCOS and PMDD story

Kathryn was 11 when her period started and right from the start they were heavy, painful and very irregular. But it wasn’t until almost a decade later that Kathryn finally got diagnosed with PCOS. Whilst grappling with how to manage her symptoms, she started to notice that something else didn’t seem quite right. Armed with her trusted journal she approached her GP, who agreed that it appeared that Kathryn also suffers from PMDD.

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PCOS, All stories Majken Disch PCOS, All stories Majken Disch

Carol-Anne’s PCOS Story

It took a move to a new city, and a new GP, for Carol-Anne to finally have her reproductive health taken seriously. Investigations showed that the reason for her debilitating pain, heavy flow and extreme fatigue was PCOS.

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Undiagnosed, All stories Majken Disch Undiagnosed, All stories Majken Disch

Betty’s Story

Ever since she was a young teenager Betty suffered with excruciating period pain, but she believed that painful periods was just normal and she didn't want to make a fuss. It wasn't until years later Betty finally understood that no one should be passing out from period pain, and that she shouldn't just have to find a way to deal with the pain, in private.

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All stories, Infertility Majken Disch All stories, Infertility Majken Disch

Laura’s Infertility Story

Struggling with infertility, Laura and her partner went through several rounds of IVF, one including a donor egg, trying to have a baby. All rounds failed whilst Laura and her husband have come to terms with not having children, the experience of infertility never leaves you as Laura says.

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All stories, Undiagnosed Majken Disch All stories, Undiagnosed Majken Disch

Sally’s Story

For years Sally has suffered with extreme period pain, sometimes ending up in A&E. To this day she does not have a diagnosis, but is now on a medical management plan which has given her her life back. At least for six months, as that is as long she's been told it's safe to take her medication.

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Infertility, PCOS, All stories Majken Disch Infertility, PCOS, All stories Majken Disch

Victoria’s Infertility Story

In her mid twenties Victoria was diagnosed with PCOS, after she and her partner struggled to conceive. With her new diagnosis she felt her life-long dream of becoming a mum slipping away. Fast forward, Victoria, now in her 40s is still fighting to become a parent - but now she's going at it solo. Using IVF and a donor-sperm.

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Want to share your reproductive health story?

We are building the UK’s biggest library of reproductive health stories, because the more we share, the louder we get, the harder we are to ignore. Do you want to be part of changing the way society talks, thinks, and feels about reproductive health conditions?