Aisha*, a 34-year-old woman from Kwale County, whose resilience and determination turned a painful struggle into a story of hope and healing. Aisha’s journey with Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) is one of struggle, hope and the transformative power of the right diagnosis and treatment.
The Beginning of the Struggle
In 2022, Aisha’s life took a turn. She began experiencing symptoms that no woman should have to endure: painful intercourse, abnormal bleeding, waist pain, and foul-smelling vaginal discharge. Concerned, she went to Kwale Hospital, where she was diagnosed with Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID). Unfortunately, the prescribed treatment for PID provided little relief. Her symptoms worsened, making intimacy with her husband unbearably painful. “I would cry after every attempt…” Aisha recalls. The emotional toll began to strain her marriage, especially as hospital visits often included demands for her husband to undergo STI testing—a source of tension and conflict.
More Missteps, More Pain
Desperate for answers, Aisha sought help again in 2023, this time at Bethany Hospital. Another pelvic exam, another PID diagnosis. Another round of antibiotics did nothing to ease her pain. The discharge persisted. Intimacy became unbearable. Helplessness began creeping in on her. And she began to feel like her body was betraying her. She was running out of options.
The Turning Point
Then, in 2024, a glimmer of hope appeared unexpectedly, during a conversation with a relative. This relative, a Community Health Promoter (CHP) working at Bila Shaka Dispensary listened to Aisha’s story and urged her to seek help at the dispensary. Instead, Aisha decided to revisit Kwale Hospital, where she heard whispers of improved care and specialized training among staff. It was there that her life finally took a turn.
She met a Clinical Officer who had recently completed specialized training on FGS undergone specialized training on FGS, facilitated by LVCT Health. For the first time, someone connected the dots. Her symptoms weren’t PID- they pointed directly at FGS. Finally, AISH received the diagnosis she had been searching for, and she began praziquantel treatment.
Healing and Hope
After completing two doses of praziquantel, Aisha’s symptoms began to disappear. The pain faded, the discharge stopped, and the emotional weight she’d carried for so long was lifted. Today Aisha is pain-free and is living a full life. She hasn’t conceived yet, Aisha remains hopeful. She is aware that more consultations are needed, but for now, she’s simply grateful to have her life and peace of mind back.
Aisha’s story is more than a powerful story- it’s a call to action. Her recovery is a testament to the importance of accurate diagnosis and timely treatment. It’s proof that when healthcare workers are equipped with the right knowledge, lives can be transformed.
N.B.*Name changed to protect privacy.
Written by Mercy Muthoni, a Research Assistant at LVCT Health