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 9,000+ 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 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A STICKY SITUATION
Actors Chris Diamantopoulos and Guillaume Cyr bond with Margo Martindale and get beaten up by Jamie Lee Curtis in a riotous new comedy drama series
THIS IS CHRISTMAS ACTUALLY
Love Actually writer and director Richard Curtis gifts the world a new festive film this year
LEARN HOW TO PLEASE YOURSELF
The festive season can be an incredibly stressful time, particularly for peoplepleasers who struggle to put their own needs first
Caught on dashcam injecting her ex with fatal dose of 'poison"
Amanda Hovanec enlisted her lover and her mother in her cold-blooded plot
'I looked better getting married at 53 than I did at 23!'
Wellbeing coach Sarah-Jane Clark, from Swindon, shares how she achieved her dream of wearing a size 10 wedding dress after losing 12st
'I am so looking forward to Christmas'
Helen Flanagan shares her plans for the holidays with her new boyfriend Robbie Talbot and her kids
I'm turning the anger into positive energy
His best friend's death has made Gok Wan rethink life
‘I'm careful with who I allow in my inner circle
Actress and presenter Kéllé Bryan on managing fame and fronting a new fashion initiative
'There were rats..it is a real jungle
Marvin Humes on his I'm A Celebrity experience, backing his buddies and the importance of kindness
'It's not going to be sexy Maura on I'm A Celeb'
Model Caprice Bourret tells new about her festive traditions and starring in and producing a Christmas film