Women’s Health Perspectives

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Your story can help educate and inform other women and health care decision makers.

SWHR is dedicated to improving women’s health through science, policy, and education. In addition to identifying scientific knowledge and policy gaps to advance women’s health care and research, understanding and sharing women’s individual experiences and journeys can help us better inform providers and policy decision makers on critical gaps in women’s health.

Share Your Story

Whether you are a patient or a caregiver for a family member, including a parent, spouse, child, or friend, SWHR wants to hear your personal health journey! Stories shared with SWHR may inform our resources and be shared on our website and social media platforms.

Your story is powerful – to researchers, health care providers, policymakers, and importantly, other women. SWHR wants to use the power of your story to share the real-life impact of different diseases, conditions, and life stages with the people who need to hear it most.

Please note, your story will not be used to promote or advocate for a specific company, product, or medication.

Share Your Story

Recent Women’s Health Perspectives

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9.2.24 | PCOS

Reflections on a Decade of PCOS Care and Management

SWHR Development Manager Emma Bixler shares her polycystic ovary syndrome journey for PCOS Awareness Month in September.

6.12.24 | Women's Health Perspective

Jennifer’s Uterine Fibroids Journey

Last year, at the age of 45, I found myself at a low point. Every month, I had a period that lasted 10 days, with pain and bleeding so severe that I would be homebound for at least three days, Jennifer writes.

5.10.24 | Women's Health Perspective

Callie Giddings’ Endometriosis Journey

I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis three years ago. I endured multiple trips to the emergency room before my diagnosis.

5.10.24 | Women's Health Perspective

Simone Vanden Heuvel’s Menopause Journey

My story may seem boring compared to others, but I am just now learning that I may have been doing things wrong.

4.15.24 | Women's Health Perspective

Sofia Oliveira’s Lupus Journey

When I was 20, I started having joint pain. Initially, I didn't even consider going to the doctor because I knew it would be dismissed, but after a few weeks the pain got so severe I had trouble doing the simplest everyday tasks.

4.11.24 | Women's Health Perspective

Lindsey Howard’s Endometriosis Journey

I was diagnosed with endometriosis after laparoscopic surgery to remove two very large endometriomas in the winter of 2018. I consider myself lucky that I had physical evidence on my ultrasound of the pain I was enduring before, during, and after my period.

11.27.23 | Women's Health Perspective

Meghan Ochs’ Eating Disorder Journey

The summer of 2019, a month after I graduated from college, I traveled to Paris with my mother. It was a life-altering trip: my first visit to Europe and the experience that forced me to face my anorexia.

11.6.23 | Women's Health Perspective

Ashley’s Narcolepsy Journey

Listen to Ashley’s story about the challenges she faced and decisions she made to manage living with narcolepsy and protect herself and her baby during pregnancy.

SWHR’s Women’s Health Perspective series includes firsthand accounts of individuals’ personal health care and/or caregiving experiences. The views expressed here are those of the individuals and not of SWHR. SWHR does not make medical, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Patients and consumers should consult a professional health care provider to determine individual needs.