Being a woman means being strong. Yes we may cry a little more then men and at the most stupid things, but I believe that we are all round so much stronger. WE can live through pain bad enough to put us in hospital every month, WE can last 9 months of aching and sickness then give birth at the end of it.

What is your reproductive health problem?

Abnormal Cells in my cervix.

How it has affected your life (emotionally, physically and mentally)?

This problem has had a variety of affects on my body. The pain and bleeding was the first of it. But as time went on and I was finally ‘diagnosed’ I became more and more confused and upset. Because I wasn’t given much information on the problem alongside being told “you’re very young to have this” I became stressed and more so annoyed with the NHS.

What treatment, support, or information have you received?

I have had many of the same leaflets through with my clinic and hospital appointments. Two biopsies took place, one just to test the cells, the other to try and
remove them all.

Do you feel that you were well informed?

I was informed well enough to know the cells weren’t cancerous and I was reassured that it happens to a lot of women. I do however feel that more information should be given to younger girls and that smear tests should be lowered from 25 to 20.

Does anyone else in your family have a reproductive health problem?

Yes. I have a family member with Polycystic Ovaries

What do you feel womanhood/ being a woman means to you?

Being a woman means being strong. Yes we may cry a little more then men and at the most stupid things, but I believe that we are all round so much stronger. WE can live through pain bad enough to put us in hospital every month, WE can last 9 months of aching and sickness then give birth at the end of it. WE are emotionally stronger because as women WE have a lot more to deal with from abortions to infertility to finding out Prince Charming is married. Yes men do have problems too but the stresses (and joys) a woman experiences will send our male companions running to the mountains.

How do you think your condition or experience of reproductive health problems impacts upon your view of what womanhood means?

I don’t know if my experience directly impacts on my view on womanhood but the fact that it mainly affects women does. Women have more health problems that can affect them yet everyday they can look after their family, work hard and keep social relationships. This shows how strong women really are.

Do you think it is important for young women to be aware of their reproductive health and the choices associated with this?

Of course I think it is important. I feel as a young woman I was not taught enough about my personal reproductive health. In school we were taught about STI’s and pregnancy but literally nothing else. We didn’t really get educated on what can happen to us or what choices we have when it comes to our reproductive health. Without this knowledge many girls and young women might ignore a problem, letting it develop into a more serious issue.

Why do you think this is important?

I think it is important because as women, our health should be top of our care list. Once we have a problem in our Womb-an area, it is stressful and tiring, emotionally, physically and mentally. The choice should be ours when it comes to health issues, whether it being given a smear to a scan to an operation.

How do you feel the services/information provided/ delivered by The Womb Room has benefited you?

It has been a useful way for me to talk about what I am going through helping me emotionally. It has also given me a fantastic feeling knowing I might just save somebody else from what I have gone through. Awareness leads to knowledge therefore leading to more educated women (and men).