World Menopause Day: National biographer puts women’s health in the spotlight

It is no secret that trying to navigate the healthcare system as a woman is no small task. Research from the Hologic Global Women’s Health Index indicates that only 12% of women globally tested for cancer in 2021, despite the disease killing 10 million people worldwide. Due to lack of research in the medical field on diseases that only affect women – modern medicine has a large gender bias that is yet to be addressed. Centuries of female exclusion in medical trials has meant that women’s diseases are often missed, misdiagnosed or can often remain a total mystery. With October marking Breast Cancer Awareness month, it becomes a pertinent time to examine stories of women’s health more broadly. National biographer, StoryTerrace, has chosen to reflect on the countless stories of women navigating the healthcare system that have come through the service.

Throughout hearing stories of women going in and out of doctors offices and emergency rooms, it is clear that there needs to be a more reactive response to women’s health as a whole. Often, in medical discourse, women’s bodies have been largely ignored, resulting in a lack of health-related information available to women as well as a lack of quality healthcare received.

StoryTerrace has seen inspiring accounts of women navigating the healthcare system, and throughout all of the injustices faced – it becomes evident that in order to maneuver the healthcare system women need to be self-sufficient in spotting their symptoms early and taking action, which can often be a large strain on both mental and physical health. Proprietary research from StoryTerrace unveils the positive effects that writing down one’s story has – especially for our mental health, with 22% of women agreeing that journaling has been beneficial for them. With reports from the Hologic Global Women’s Health indicating that emotional health is at an all time low for women, with around 4 in 10 women stating that they often experience worry and stress throughout the day – the process of self-care becomes vital for women.

Below are a few case studies that highlight the brave and tremendous efforts of women seeking out medical treatment:

Meet Louise Warnerford, the Miracle Mother:

When, after 18 unexplained miscarriages, Louise Warneford was finally able to carry a baby to full-term, she felt overwhelming gratitude to those who had made this birth possible. She knew that without Consultant Gynecologist and Obstetrician Dr Hassan Shehata’s diagnosis and successful treatment of a problem with her body’s natural killer cells, and the expert fertility service provided by doctors, she would have remained childless. Her memoir, written by StoryTerrace, tells of how she went from constant grief and loss to experiencing the joy and magic of motherhood. Her miracle baby, William Oliver Warnerford, is now two years old.

Meet Nelly Mwangi, a Medical Miracle in every sense:

At 22, Nelly was walking to work and start to experience numbness in her big toe. The numbness spread and 48 hours later she was paralysed from the waist down. After having numerous back operations and spending two years in the hospital they diagnosed the cause of a viral infection. This occurred during the ’80s in Kenya so medicine was rudimentary.

Writing about her experiences in a positive way has been incredibly beneficial. She writes of the medical marvels that have occurred during her life, from the bladder cancer that she had to receive a 12-hour experimental surgery for to the birth of her child through IVF. The primary drive behind writing her memoir was to inspire her 12-year old daughter, to show that one can live a life beyond being disabled.

Rutger Bruining, Founder and CEO of StoryTerrace, comments on the power of the written word and the mental health benefits of sharing one’s experiences:

“Sharing experiences has always been a powerful tool of expression and preservation. Now we know as research suggests, it also is also extremely beneficial for our mental health and represents a beacon of hope for others going through similar circumstances. When we take a step back and consider the value of sharing and telling our stories, we see only benefits to the individual, their family, friends, loved ones and even members of the public who can relate to a similar experience.”

“There is power in the written word, and I am honoured to work at a company where over 750 amazing ghostwriters get the chance to enjoy their love of writing and curate relationships with clients where they feel listened to and appreciated. The magic of books – is that it is there forever. The legacy is literally preserved in an art form to be cherished and passed down.”