Let’s Chat with Tarsh
By Tarsh Wilson
My journey started when I was 22 years old and trying to get pregnant. I started by monitoring my cycles. They were irregular from 32 to 48 days; I bled heavily for the first day, and at times, I couldn’t leave the shower and had to wear maternity pads while also vomiting. The days after, my period was moderate to light. The bleed lasted anywhere from 4-7 days; it was always the unknown. I got minimal cramping; my experiences were mostly vomiting and heavy bleeding, then low iron, fatigue and fainting. I mostly had pain when I was ovulating.
I never really knew about PCOS; I have sideburns, a moustache needing a wax every 4 weeks, a little bit of tummy hair, and I lose a lot of hair on my head. I haven’t had an ultrasound to confirm PCOS at this point, but looking back now, all my symptoms point to PCOS.
After 2 years of trying with a GP that specialised in fertility, at 24, I went for IVF and completed bloods, which all came back fine, and the sperm from my partner at the time all came back amazing. It was a mystery. I went for an internal dye ultrasound which presented as my right tube being blocked. I was advised by my fertility specialist to try 2 rounds of IVF before having a laparoscopy as I’m “young” and there really isn’t a reason I can’t fall pregnant with one tube being blocked.
I completed 2 rounds of IVF, each time waiting for my period, which, who knew when? I remember, after the second round of IVF, the false excitement. I was on day 56 with no periods… but I was not pregnant and received my period on day 58. Mentally, physically and emotionally draining. This relationship ended, and I just went on with my day, not thinking about my reproductive health. I was on the Pill for a bit, but this didn’t help the flow, and I experienced cramping and pain on my periods more than with no contraception, so I ceased this. I got the Kyleena, and this assisted with minimising the bleeding, but I was still irregular.
After working in women’s health, I decided I wanted to freeze eggs and find answers, so I went to my GP and got a referral to a gynaecologist. I’m now 34, 12 years after my first attempt of falling pregnant and I finally have answers. I went for a diagnostic Laparoscopy. I have a Nubbin in my uterus, and my right tube is blocked / non-existent. I also had endometriosis removed, which I didn’t know I had, and PCOS! what a combination of reproductive issues to have. I have always raised awareness for Endometriosis as my sister was diagnosed with Endo. I don’t wish this on my worst enemy. But it took me 12 years to finally find my answers. The Mirena has helped reduce my bleeding, and at times, I’m still irregular, but it is one thing that has helped. Now, my plan is to find out if there is a chance of holding a baby with all my issues and the risk of being high-risk and baby risk before I decide to freeze eggs.
My take-home advice would be, if you feel like something is wrong, you know your body keeps advocating for yourself until you have those answers; only then can you continue with life to its full potential.
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