FOR years, Molly-Rose Taylor was plagued by agonising periods.
They were so severe that from the age of nine she would become delirious and frequently fainted from the pain.
Doctors repeatedly missed key warning signs, and on four separate occasions Molly-Rose was misdiagnosed.
Years later the now 19-year-old discovered the true cause of her pain – after realising it was impossible to have sex with her boyfriend.
The teenager has a rare condition called uterus didelphys, which means she has two vaginas, two cervixes and two wombs.
As a result she said she's always suffered two periods, hence her intense agony.
Molly-Rose is now speaking out to raise awareness of the condition.
She said multiple doctors failed to spot the 2cm thick wall of tissue that runs vertically down her vagina, known by the medical term, longitudinal septum – which caused her to have two vaginas.
The teen, from Gillingham in Kent, said: "When I first started my periods, doctors would blame my age and say my body is still young and can’t cope.
“But now I know it is because I am having two periods at once, I have been on birth control since 12 years-old to try and reduce the heavy flow and fainting.
“As I got into my early teens, I attempted to use tampons, but it would fall straight out, I thought maybe it was normal.
“It wasn’t until I became sexually active with my then boyfriend, I began to worry as it was impossible and very painful.
“I noticed there was a piece of skin in the middle and two holes and I felt so embarrassed.
“From the outside, you would never even know, even the doctors didn’t as I had attended three appointments.
It wasn’t until I became sexually active with my then boyfriend, I began to worry as it was impossible and very painful.
“Before my diagnosis I was advised to get tested for a sexually transmitted disease due to the bleeding and abnormal discharge.
“It came back all clear, as predicted – I knew something was wrong and began to research myself which was a challenge itself.”
Molly-Rose says there was a lack of knowledge and awareness in the medical practice and she had to tirelessly research online before finding information about uterus didelphys.
She added: “There wasn’t any leaflets for me to read nor doctors who could help me understand my condition which is why it took so long for me to get a diagnosis.
“I told my GP that I know what it is and was referred to a gynaecologist.
“I was desperate to get some answers.
“Within ten minutes, they confirmed I have two uteruses, two cervixes and two vaginas – I felt so happy to finally know what is wrong.”
In August 2017, Molly-Rose had an operation for the longitudinal septum to be removed at the University College of London Hospital.
She says it would do "more harm than good" for doctors to attempt to remove any of her other reproductive organs.
What is uterus didelphys?
Also known as double uterus, the condition means women are born with two uteri, two separate cervixes and sometimes two vaginas.
The two wombs are often slightly smaller than the average womb in order to allow them both to fit.
Symptoms:
A double uterus often causes no symptoms. The condition may be discovered during a regular pelvic exam or during imaging tests to determine the cause of repeated miscarriages.
Women who have a double vagina along with a double uterus may suffer heavy menstrual bleeding that isn’t stopped by a tampon.
In these situations, the woman has placed a tampon in one vagina, but blood is still escaping from the second uterus and vagina.
Women who continue to bleed after a tampon has been used or have extreme menstrual pain should see a doctor.
Causes:
There is no known causes as to why some women develop two wombs, although genetic factors have been considered.
Risks and complications:
Many women have normal sex lives, pregnancies and deliveries.
But sometimes a double uterus can cause:
- infertility
- miscarriage
- premature birth
- kidney abnormalities
Source: Mayo Clinic
Optimistic Molly-Rose added: “Although I may face some complications when I am ready to start a family as there is a high chance of miscarrying – at least I can now plan ahead as I am aware.
“I tend not to dwell on my condition, and I will cross that bridge when I get there.
“If I wasn’t persistent, then I would still be clueless.
"I am sharing my story to raise awareness for other girls and women who may going through the same.”
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