Why do we as women keep information to ourselves? There are so many empty words that we use for negative purposes, but we don’t share what would be helpful to other women. I found out rather suddenly last March that I had a softball-size uterine fibroid and that my uterus was four times larger than normal and had adenomyosis. My integrative medicine doctor recommended a rather urgent hysterectomy. Fortunately, my ovaries were healthy, so that prevented me from spiraling into menopause at 44.

In sharing this information with some friends and ladies in various stages of life, I started to hear that this is pretty common to have uterine fibroids. I know that my one grandma had a few “female” surgeries that were not explained to teen girls. I am not suggesting to be graphic or crass or to share it publicly with everyone everywhere. But why not at women gatherings, or why not at family gatherings when the women are sitting around and talking anyway? Why not share what is personal, but would be helpful to another women or the next generation? Why is it we can say a lot of things about other women who are not present and probably say things that are too personal or cross a line? Why can’t we say what would be helpful, expedient, timely, educational, etc.

It actually starts to feel like a higher calling to be vulnerable, transparent, and authentic. Not making it something that have to do, or even demanding that they view me as a expert. It is not about me being heard and validated. Just in telling my story, it might be helpful to them.

Let me mention, that these are not usually conversations to be had in passing with someone you just met. They are to be had with people that you have developed relationships with that are deeper than surface level. It is also about being someone who is trustworthy and guarding what is shared with you, while also being vulnerable, transparent, and authentic.

It is actually a lot like why we don’t talk about our faith journey or our Christian marriages. Isn’t “making disciples” just sharing what you have been taught and sharing what you have learned? If they don’t want to hear it, they can reject it. But my calling is to share what Jesus has done for me. In a similar way, I can share the health journey as a woman. Sometimes people want to know more than can seem “socially appropriate”. But fear comes into play when there is the unknown looming, i.e. losing your virginity, experiencing a miscarriage, experiencing a birth, or the first time nursing.

We are called to care! When you look at the life of Jesus here on earth, He cared. He also noticed, he sometimes rebuked, but he often healed and encouraged. I am convicted that I should do similar on a very small scale but inspired by His example!

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”