The Vault – Rights, Equality, and Empowerment. Empowering the Next Generation to talk about topics which are hard. #IWD2025

*******Trigger warning some people might find this a challenging read. This article talks about Menopause, Hormones and Hysterectomies. If you are affected by this article, then please do reach out for help and support to a medical practitioner. *******

******* Please note that these are my own experiences and other people’s experiences may be different than my own. I completely respect different viewpoints and opinions*****

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The definition of a Vault is traditionally:

“A safe and secure area in financial institutions for storing money and valuables.”

“A roof in the form of an arch or a series of arches, typical of churches and other large, formal buildings.”

“A large room or chamber used for storage, especially an underground one.”

But there is another medical definition that Gynecologists around the world know which is:

“A "vault hysterectomy" refers to?the surgical removal of the uterus, leaving behind the upper part of the vagina, called the "vaginal vault," which is essentially the top of the vaginal canal that remains after the uterus is taken out” Referencing terms from the ?Cancer Council of Australia.

I am now the proud own of A Vault.

Why did it take me to the age of Forty-four to discover this word “Vault” and to also learn anything about Hysterectomies? and why did I not investigate why periods or time of the month was so painful to me? Because I thought that this was normal. I was taught that this was normal, that pain was normal. However, Fibroids, Adenomyosis and Endometriosis is not normal. ?And turns out now that I am pain free that I was in quite a bit of pain without realizing.

If you’ve heard me talk at many events, I’m all about Data, AI, analytics and using data to solve complex problems.? However, when the data points you have been using have been acceptable all your life and you have been taught to keep pushing through the pain and that “Period Pain” is normal. The data points become normalized until significant events occur. “Anomalies” which force you to think that something isn’t right. But what do you do when it is no longer about the data and it’s more about looking at the whole picture, understanding that history doesn’t always give you the answers or let you know what should be happening.

Growing up in the 1980’s it wasn’t normal in our family or at school, to talk about Periods, Hormones, Menopause, The Pill. It wasn’t the done thing or polite thing to talk about girls bodies what was normal and what wasn’t normal.

For International Women’s Day I want to make this ok to do so.

I had some Endometriosis removed 2 years ago. Then I had Fibroids which decided to explode, which caused internal bleeding and fluid. Then was the point at which the problems were getting so bad, reoccurring surgeries would occur. With my surgeon’s guidance, I made the decision to have a Hysterectomy, and this decision was made over years. This was planned for later in March and was pulled forward to February where I had seven days to prepare and process this news. ?

My plan of action was to be as open and brave as possible, explaining to everyone clearly and simply where I would be for 2 weeks, why I would be working remote for ~6 weeks and unable to drive. Robert is now referring to himself as “Taxi Rob” and is looking forward to me being able to drive again and my independence.

So, every question around what surgery you were having, or what are you going in for? I did not respond with, “Women’s stuff”. I was brave and explained “A Hysterectomy”. This was a revelation every time I was asked. The answers and the questions developed into a wonderful discussion. Often men wanting to learn more, share their favorites women’s pain and experiences. Younger females wanted to understand and some shared stories (some quite horrific) of Hysterectomies due to some awful circumstances and long wait times and expensive costs involved.

What I realized was there are a group of women in our world who all have a vault for many different reasons. These Women carry the burden of experiencing severe pain for many years. These Women are strong, resilient and have amazing stories to tell of how they have overcome several barriers. Many often scared or silenced to share their story because of the stigmas attached to a Hysterectomy and around Women’s Health.

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I hope that this International Women’s Day we think about Women’s Right’s, Equality and Empowerment for #IWD25 and that we encourage those who have been affected by Women’s Health to be open and to share with our girls and young women the experiences that they’ve had so it’s no longer scary or an unknown when you are faced with the realities of a Hysterectomy.

As this year’s IWD theme is: “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment ~ Central to this vision is empowering the next generation—youth, particularly young women and adolescent girls—as catalysts for lasting change.” un.org

Lasting change start starts with sharing knowledge. Knowledge which has been hidden and sometimes taboo. Empowering these young women to understand women’s health more is key. To understand the choices that they may have to make in the future and understand that their hormones and cycles can affect them differently, depending on who they are. I wish I had been taught this at school, so I could have understood what my mother was going through during Menopause, and I wish it had been open and OK to talk about. I have also openly talked about this with my own two beautiful girls, being honest and open to answer all the questions that they may have. I am so grateful to have my girls, and I know how lucky we are to have them both.

The first 2 weeks of recovery was very much a do nothing and rest time for me. I read a few books, a few Netflix series, but mostly I slept a lot. Allowing my body to recover. Boredom can really lead to brilliance. Doing nothing can bring out your most creative and imaginative self.

So, to all the Women around the world this International Women’s Day, when forced to bed rest, enjoy the time available to do so. Too often than not, we do not take the time to look after our own health, as we are too busy looking after everyone else. Until the point that there is a forced rest.

Where do you find the time? Reverse this. Why do I need to find the time? Because you care for yourself, your mental health and your women’s health. Guess what, it’s all interrelated. I am a better person at my job and my life when I balance both. ?

I will take some time now and again for more down time, to create deep thinking. Whilst walking, planting, feeding or watering. And when I am allowed to do exercise again my favorite place to deep think is swimming.

My brain is now in a happy place and feels like it is 20 again. There is no pain, there is no brain fog, there is no grey lens over my field of vision, and I feel like I have my brain back. All because I now have a Vault, and HRT is supporting my body.

Before posting this article, I had a chat to a few different women who I respect and value their opinions immensely. Some said that this is too much personal information for LinkedIn. However, a few were so grateful for me sharing. They said that more people need to be brave and share their story. So here I am being extremely brave. So I say that “Well behaved women, seldom make history” Laurel Thatcher Ulrich.

And as a fellow friend and local business owner shared with me on Saturday, change takes courage, character and above all gumption.