Forget Me Not

My autobiographical project "Forget Me Not" tells about the psychological and physical effects of the absence of my menstruation, and how it returned to me after almost ten years.

When I was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), I was not aware that up to 15% of women of reproductive age suffer from this menstrual disorder. The most common symptoms are irregular periods, weight gain, acne, hair loss, and numerous small fluid collections (follicles) around the ovaries. Many women have difficulties with fertility and are not able to get their children without medication support.

As a young girl, I used to worry about why my menstrual cycle wasn't working and why I wasn't bleeding every month like all the other girls in my class. The absence of my period for more than ten years affected my mental health and my connection to my body. Not having a functional menstrual cycle made me feel uncomfortable in myself. In 2019, after finally starting psychotherapy and talking to an alternative doctor, my period finally returned to me. I felt released and started to document the process of finally bleeding again.

This autobiographical project visualizes my healing process and celebrates the power of menstruation blood. It creates awareness for a subject that is still a topic the majority of women feels shame about.