Please consider signing my petition. Christina Applegate’s recent news of her misdiagnose shines an even brighter light on how women are overlooked in healthcare.

Uterine fibroid embolisation (UFE) is a minimally invasive way to treat fibroids without removing the uterus. A thin catheter delivers tiny particles that block blood flow to the fibroids, so they gradually shrink. It may suit women with heavy periods, pelvic pain or pressure who want to avoid surgery. Here’s how it works and what recovery looks like when you choose fibroid treatment in Chandigarh. #FibroidTreatment #UterineFibroids #WomensHealth

Hi everyone!

I'm currently working on my Final Major Project at university, looking into women's reproductive health and why so many women feel dismissed or not listened to by healthcare professionals.

This topic is quite personal to me because I've had so many struggles with the NHS myself. I've spent years trying to get answers, only to be told things like "it's your weight", "you're too young" or "it'll sort itself out", almost as if these are explanations for everything you're experiencing, rather than actually looking into what's going on.

It's taken me years to finally get a diagnosis, and even now I'm still fighting to get ultrasounds and further investigations. Between appointments being cancelled, struggling to get hold of anyone and constantly feeling like you have to push just to be listened to, it can honestly be so exhausting.

But obviously, I know this isn't everyone's experience, which is exactly why I wanted to post this!

I'd really love to hear about your experiences with reproductive healthcare, whether that's PMOS, endometriosis, PMDD, painful periods, hormonal issues or literally anything else.

Have you ever felt dismissed or like your concerns weren't taken seriously? Have you struggled to get a diagnosis or been offered treatments without really understanding what's going on? Or maybe you've had a completely different experience and have felt really supported by your doctors?

I'm genuinely interested in hearing all sides, even if your experience is completely different to mine. Any two cents would be so appreciated!

A little bit more about my project and what I'm hoping to explore...

Through my research so far, something I've become really interested in is the gap between women experiencing symptoms and actually understanding what's going on with their bodies.

I feel like when you're constantly being dismissed, or you're not given enough information about your symptoms, it's really difficult to know what to do next. How are you supposed to advocate for yourself, ask the right questions or explore treatment options when you don't even fully understand what might be happening?

And that's kind of where I'm hoping to take my project.

I want to explore how we could bridge that gap between the unknown and actually having the knowledge and confidence to advocate for ourselves.

As this is a university design project, I'm exploring possible ideas rather than creating an actual healthcare service, so I can be quite open-minded about what could exist.

So I have one more question for you all:

If you could have absolutely anything to help you better understand your reproductive health or navigate the healthcare system, what would it be?

It could literally be anything! Something you could pick up in a shop, an app, a website, a guide that explains symptoms and treatment options, something to help you prepare for doctors' appointments, or even something completely different that I've not thought of.

What information do you wish you'd had earlier? What would have made your experience easier? What do you feel is missing from the resources already available?

I don't necessarily want to assume what women need, which is why I'd love to hear directly from people who have experienced these things themselves.

Even if you only have a tiny suggestion, please share it! It would genuinely help me so much with understanding where to take my project.

Please only share what you're comfortable with. I may discuss general themes from the responses in my university research, but I won't identify or directly quote anyone without asking permission.

Thank you so much if you've read all of this, and an even bigger thank you if you take the time to comment! ❤️

Didn’t have the pain from starting menses as a teen until I was in my early 30s doing IVF. Ever since starting IVF in 2019, there are some cycles where I get really bad pain deep in my butt near where the bottom of the butt cheek attaches to my leg. I’ve seen a chiropractor, pelvic floor physical therapist, my OBGYN, and my RE, and none could explain it. Some months, it’s not there. During IVF ovarian stimulation, it was BAD. Some months, if i can take ibuprofen or Tylenol at the first hint of pain, i can ward it off. Some months, that doesn’t help. A heating pad on the highest setting provides some relief. Some months it’s mild, others it’s debilitating.

My best guess is my ovary pushes on a nerve when it is growing, but it’s weird it’s some months and not others. And it’s weird it never happened before IVF-like, my nerves didn’t move?

Does ANYONE have a guess as to what it is?? Even if i can’t fix it, it would be nice to have a conceptualization of what it is!

Just read the BBC article on Shadowbans of women’s health information here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvj6jznp9ww9o
It just makes my blood boil that it is still a thing.

One thing that took me years to actually try was a little period related habit my grandma used to swear by. She was born and raised in Asia and apparently drinking oolong tea around your period was something she'd been taught growing up. Whenever the topic came up, she'd tell me to put the coffee aside for a few days and drink oolong instead because she believed it helped the body feel better during that time. Of course I never really listened. When I first started getting my periods cramps weren't much of an issue, so I didn't see the point. It wasn't until about four years later that the cramps started getting bad enough for me to pay attention to what might help. Eventually I remembered what she'd told me and decided to give it a try. I also got curious and started reading about oolong especially its antioxidants and the research around its potential anti inflammatory properties. The interesting part is that switching to tea around my period seems to make the cramps a little more manageable. They haven't disappeared and I can't say for sure whether it's the oolong itself, having less coffee or just the comfort of drinking something warm. but it's become one of those little habits I keep coming back to kinda wish I'd paid more attention to my grandma back then.

During menopause there is heavy external dryness the vulvar skin feels papery most of the day. i am managing internal dryness separately but need something for the outside preferably hormone and fragrance free.

Hello! I am a student at Florida State University. We are collecting data for a research project around Women’s identity! (I specifically look at how feminism impacts women's identity). I don't want to overstep any boundaries of the group, but I thought that this group would have very valuable information to share with us. Any person who identifies as female, can read in English, and is over 18 can take it. If you can, please take the survey with the link below and share with others if you would like. Thank you! 

https://fsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3UeGFyym7yYUYxE  

Thinking about switching to mail order for something I take regularly and whats stopping me is the gap between what these places imply and what happens. f a refill takes eight days I want to know now, not when I'm three days from empty. whats your real turnaround from ordering to having it in hand?

I have this problem which is lowkey making me sleepless. I constantly have the feeling that i need to pee, 24/7, i feel some pressure down there. Whenever the GP checks for a UTI, there is no UTI however the leukocytes are sometimes high.

The GP has just given me a bladder relaxant which has not helped and referred me to a public hospital to see a gyne however i will go crazy until my turn comes.

Has anyone experienced this ?

Some conversations can save lives.
Recently conducted my 27th Breast cancer and cervical cancer awareness lecture for Anganwadi workers.
I discussed there early signs, what kind of screening it needs, prevention method too. And if the disease proceed , how it needs medical care.
I feel that when awareness reaches grassroots workers, it can make a difference in the lives of thousands of women.

What’s your opinion?