MRKH Syndrome: The woman living without genitalia

Writing this article is truly hard for me. I took cautions from using very vulgar words that might be unwanted and unpleasant to read. My purpose is to share the positivities I got from this certain woman who became a real inspiration to every woman who had the same syndrome she had.

I would like to continue celebrating the women's month. This is about a woman born with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome. I took this as an inspiration to share to every woman who joined this platform the real definition of being a woman. The entire interview of this woman named Emily Green is showcase that being a woman will not be defined by what kind of body she has.

The MRKH Syndrome (background and statistics)

There are a lot of syndrome known to world. One of the most popular syndrome is what we called Down Syndrome. Down syndrome is a condition which a child born with an extra exopy of their 21st chromosome. The three copies known as trisomy21 or a person who has three copies of chromosome 21. I knew that every one of us already encountered one. They are sweet, lively, and special individuals.

Meanwhile, the Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome is a condition that occurs to women and directly affected their reproductive system. It means the vagina and uterus of a woman is underdeveloped or some parts are not fully developed. Although their external genitalia is normal. This only means that they are not capable of carrying a child in their womb. The very sad and difficult situation every woman can ever face.

In fact, MRKH syndrome only affected 1 to every 4,000-5,000 women in a general population. It is quite rare if you look closely on its case. Based on MedLine Plus, there are two types to classified if you have MRKH syndrome.

1.  Some women with MRKH syndrome also have abnormalities in other parts of the body; in these cases, the condition is classified as MRKH syndrome.

2. In this form of the condition, the kidneys may be abnormally formed or positioned, or one kidney may fail to develop (unilateral renal agenesis). Affected individuals commonly develop skeletal abnormalities, particularly of the spinal bones.

Emily Green's confession

The subject of this article is named Emily Green, a 22 year old girl who born with the MRKH syndrome. At the age of 16, she and her family discovered that she has the said syndrome. She felt so humiliated and embarrassed about it because she thought that without a proper functional reproductive system makes her a lessen woman. She don't even considered herself as a fully-woman due to her condition.

She was diagnosed in the following year. It was not an easy journey becasue she is also schooling at that time. Her parents decided for her to undergone surgery. It is to removed the excess parts and the remaining organs which can affect her health if its continue to grow. She said she cannot bear the pain of the surgery, and will not do it again.

Her condition became a hindrance to hwr social life. She wasn't able to get out to meet friends because she's so afraid of being judged. The only thing she done was to be with her family most especially to her mom. Emily's mother discovered an organization which only consisting women who had the same syndrome her daughter has. She introduced her daughter gradually and Emily likes it. The other members told Emily their fertility journey and how they overcame it.

Later on, Emily grew in strength and courage to face and accept her syndrome entirely. She said that with the support availability she got from her mom and other women makes her to decided to share her story as well. Today, Emily is living with happy life knowing the fact that she's not alone in her battles. She knew too that her condition can inspired thousands and millions of women out there. As early as possible to accept your condition, is to make your life easier and happier, she said.

The worth of being a woman

I wonder what a woman feels about not able to bear a child. The fact that she cannot give birth and build her own family through her own womb. That would be a very disappointing and unbearable situation a woman can have. What I learn about Emily is that being a woman is not entirely depending on her capabilities to not produce a child, but her will to stand as a woman born with her syndrome.

As a man, of course it is given that we wanted to have a child with the woman we love. In her situation, will a man changed her decision if he discovered her condition? In general, there are a huge possibilities that a man leave her, but we can hope that man love her not her physical body. I believe loving a person is loving her whole being including her body, soul and spirit. Your woman is still what she is and you cannot changed that fact.

Thank you for reading!