Your Stories: Ava

I was going to get my period when I was 8 or 9 years old. I’m sure of it because at the time, my mum listened to the advice of another family member and took me to the doctor to stop what she thought was the early onset of puberty and womanhood. I was put on hormones and I ended up getting my period at 11. Since then, it’s been heavy but consistent. My period was always on time but I would get severe cramps and back aches.

When I became sexually active at 17, I frequently suffered from UTI’s so my doctor decided to do a pelvic ultrasound just to check if everything was ok. That’s how my chance diagnosis of cysts and eventually endometriosis came about. I had my first surgery in 2013. This surgery was ok and I recovered well. The biopsy on my cyst was positive for endometrioma. Then I had my second surgery (a laparoscopic cystectomy) which was a bit more intense. Again, a 7cm cyst was removed from my ovary. After that second surgery in 2017, I have made some changes to my lifestyle. I’ve stopped drinking alcohol, and minimised inflammatory foods.

I was even on the mirena but it didn’t work for my body so I got it removed. I just want to let other women who are suggesting know that please don’t stop if you suspect something is wrong. It’s always important to keep your sexual and reproductive health, as well as general health in check.

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