As a carrier, I lived the first 24 years of myself unaware of it. Despite my grandmum losing 9 sons and her mum 4 sons, all to post circumcision bleeding no one ever told her why. Instead, she was told they have a taboo in their family for male children. I grew up having more symptoms of bruises and have always been told he was too “rough” as a girl because I love football. My periods were not more than 5 days, but I know I have to change my pads 5-6 times during the day and wake up with a very soaked heavy pad in the morning, most times with stained bedsheets. But no one ever told me I had a problem and neither did I even think it was a problem.

When I had my first son and he was diagnosed with haemophilia, all attention was turned to him and none to myself. I never thought I needed any attention or care. However, the older I get I began to get worried about the stains. By the age of 38, after my last son, I requested a hysterectomy to overcome the heavy periods.

Now, I don’t want my two daughters to live their lives not knowing if the carriers or not, and if they need treatment or not. So I believe we need to do more in creating awareness and a voice for women and girls with bleeding disorders