For years, I believed my suffering was normal.
The heavy bleeding. The crippling pain. The exhaustion that made it difficult to get through a workday. The embarrassing moments when I would suddenly stain my clothes despite taking every precaution.
Friends told me, "That's just how some women are."
Family members said, "It will get better after marriage."
Others advised me to pray more and stop worrying.
So I endured.
Month after month, year after year, I carried on while my body silently cried out for help.
What I didn't know was that I was living with multiple fibroids.
As the years passed, my symptoms worsened. My stomach began to protrude. People assumed I was pregnant. Climbing stairs became difficult. I was constantly tired because my body was losing so much blood every month that I became severely anaemic.
Yet I continued to smile.
Many women do.
We become experts at hiding our pain because society teaches us that women's suffering is normal.
Eventually, I could no longer ignore the signs.
After several medical consultations, scans confirmed the presence of large fibroids. Hearing the diagnosis brought mixed emotions. There was fear, uncertainty, and sadness. But there was also relief.
Finally, I had an explanation.
I was not weak.
I was not exaggerating.
I was not imagining my symptoms.
I was sick.
Treatment was not easy. There were difficult decisions, financial concerns, and moments when I questioned whether I would ever feel like myself again.
But with proper medical care, support from loved ones, and faith, I began my journey toward healing.
Today, I share my story because too many women are suffering in silence.
Heavy menstrual bleeding is not something you should simply endure.
Severe pelvic pain is not normal.
Extreme fatigue is not something to ignore.
A rapidly enlarging abdomen deserves medical attention.
Your body speaks. Listen to it.
At My Gynae Foundation, we meet women every day whose stories mirror mine. Women who have delayed seeking help because they were told their symptoms were normal. Women who have lost opportunities, relationships, confidence, and even their health because they lacked access to information and care.
Our message is simple:
- You are not alone.
- Your pain is real.
- Help is available.
- And there is hope.
If you are experiencing symptoms that concern you, please seek medical advice. Early diagnosis can make a significant difference in treatment outcomes and quality of life.
No woman should have to suffer in silence.