Raising Awareness of Women's Health Issues

With International Women’s Day fast approaching, I thought I would write this post talking about why I write and raise awareness about women’s issues and taboo subjects that can either make or break you. We are meant to use our voice but at times this can be drowned out by the perceived “It’s that time of the month” or “It’s natural and normal, just deal with it.”

Have you ever been perplexed, frightened, or just too embarrassed to head to your GP or ask your surgeon questions related to postoperative issues you may be experiencing?

I have been in that exact place and once I had trawled the internet, only to get no answers or find similar related posts. I sought medical advice, and then decided to write blogs to help those who may well also be experiencing similar symptoms after discovering that others had not shared similar stories or advice.

Any post I write is purely based on personal experience and is in no way medical advice. It is just to help you on your journey.

Blogs about women’s health

Here are a few inserts to previous posts I have written and links to them…

Contraceptives

Having a stoma can lead to having to change your method of contraceptives. Having recently needed a coil removal and a coil change I have spent a fair amount of time on the phone with family planning and talking to my GP regarding my options.

I suffer with endometriosis and due to my previous Barbie Butt surgery, my reproductive organs have shifted and changed. My cervix is now inverted, my uterus is also stuck to my anterior abdominal wall and has also tilted.

Fertility

This is something I have been reluctant to write about as my daughter’s birth led to my stoma formation and after her C-section I was point blank told I wouldn’t be able to have any more children. This is something that has stayed with me for years. I went for another opinion in 2016 and was told again not possible due to uterine rupture. This was never explained in great detail and in the consultants defense, I was meant to have a partial hysterectomy both in 2016 and 2018.

Sex & intimacy

Let’s talk about the massive pink elephant in the room…

During your surgical discussions and questions asked about what to expect following surgery and recovery, one of the things the majority of us don’t ask is what happens with sexual activity and if this surgery will change that for us. We are reluctant to ask questions about something that is pretty natural to do. Sex is considered taboo, it’s rarely discussed in open conversation unless it’s a small group of close friends (women) that like to openly discuss these things.

Periods

For some of us that “time of the month” requires battening down the hatches, copious amounts of chocolate, painkillers, and your best friend the hot water bottle. The majority of ladies who took part in my polls have IBD – the conclusion for us is that having both a stoma and IBD can make period week a living hell. There is currently no medical proof that this illness and a stoma makes your periods worse but I believe it is something that should be researched.

My periods have changed since my Barbie Butt surgery.

Smear test

After Panproctocolectomy surgery having a smear test may well be the last thing on your mind but smear tests are important and are a way of checking your cervix cells to make sure you don’t have abnormal cells that can potentially lead to cervical cancer. Smear testing is at an all time low at the moment and this blog post is like a little reminder to go and book your smear.

A few minutes of discomfort can make a difference and potentially save a life.

Let’s Talk… Podcast

On the 18th of October, Pelican and I launched the Let’s Talk Podcast, where I speak to ostomates about their inspiring journeys living with a stoma. In some episodes, I speak to female ostomates who share the issues we face being female after having our stomas placed.

Episode 3 – Endometriosis

Did you know that on average it takes 9 years to get a diagnosis? One in 10 women in the UK suffer from endometriosis, a condition where cells similar to the lining of the womb start to grow in other places.

In this episode, I speak with Anna openly about her battle with endometriosis and how it led to her having a permanent stoma bag.

Periods after surgery

What are periods like after surgery?

In this episode, I sit down with Shell and Ellie to discuss their experience having their first period after surgery and how their periods changed. We also discuss intimacy, contraceptives and having a smear test after surgery.

Sex after surgery

Sex and intimacy is an important part of life, and this shouldn’t change after stoma surgery.

A topic that isn’t commonly discussed in the ostomy community, I’m joined by Samantha & Elissa in this episode, as they discuss their experience having sex after surgery as a woman. We discuss the do’s and don’ts, overcoming barriers, and share advice for those who may be worried about sex after surgery.

I am hoping that by sharing both mine and other female ostomate journeys that it will help those who are now living life with a stoma or those who may be facing surgery.

As always

Many thanks for reading

Louise Xx

@crohnsfighting