People always say that a strong couple needs sex to cement their relationship. I might have agreed 20 years ago. But it’s now 15 years since I made love with my husband, and we’re still very much going strong. We miss it sometimes, but we remain loving, close, passionate and committed.
In fact, despite the knowledge that Damian and I can never have sex again, I would say it’s actually brought us closer together emotionally. The bond we share is deeper than ever. It doesn’t matter to him or me the physical aspect of our marriage. We just find other ways to be intimate and to express our love.
Damian understands that it’s not that I don’t want him. I’ve got used to living without a vagina and I won’t let it define me. I think that I’m more upset than he is about it. At some point, I may need a catheter instead of having more surgery. But whatever happens, we will tackle it head on – together.
It was in my teens when my problems first began. I was 14 when I started experiencing hot flushes. While the rest of my school friends were getting periods and buying bras, I was sitting in class mopping my forehead with my sleeve, having awful headaches and feeling anxious and jittery.
I was tiny and thin, with no sign of any curves at all. I waited each month, praying for my period. What was wrong with me?
“You must be some sort of freak,” I told myself. “You’ll never be a real woman.”
I would later discover that the symptoms I was experiencing was actually the early menopause.
My mum, Rose, bought me sanitary towels every month and I’d stuff them, unused, into the outside bin when she wasn’t looking.
This story is from the August 29, 2022 edition of New UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 29, 2022 edition of New UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'YOU'LL SEE IT ALL ESCALATE'
Tensions boil over when Emmerdale newlyweds Belle and Tom throw a dinner party, as the cast of a one-off special episode reveal
'EVERY SERIES SURPRISED US'
As Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith prepare to go Inside No 9 for the last time, they reflect on a decade of dark comedy and the joys and challenges of creating 55 different worlds to delight viewers
GREEK IS THE WORD
These mouth-watering Mediterranean dishes use fewer ingredients, so are simple-yet-delicious recipes to ease you through the week
Evil stepmum who killed her stepson and threw his body off a bridge
Letecia Stauch seemed like the perfect parent, but the jealous murderer fooled everyone
"Transitioning was something I had to do'
Endurance sport helped Farrah Herbert, 51, get through tough times – now she wants her story to help others
Vernon in fa bit of a panic
As Vernon Kay turns 50, a source tells new the Radio 2 presenter has “mixed feelings” about reaching his milestone birthday
Olly's gutted to leave Madi
Singer Olly Murs was back on tour with Take That just days after becoming a dad
Meghan and Harry disagree on plan
Ahead of their new Netflix shows, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are divided on bringing their children into the limelight, a source tells new
'I wish I was a hit with the ladies'
Former TOWIE star James Argent on losing weight and being on the lookout for love
Holly 'will miss her kids
Holly Willoughby is torn as she gets set to leave her family for a big career opportunity abroad, a source tells New