A WOMAN born without a reproductive system was convinced she’d never become a mum.
Ashley Reilly had been told she would never have children after being diagnosed with a rare condition.
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Her condition meant she was born without a reproductive system – including a cervix and uterus – dashing any hopes of a future pregnancy.
But a recent ultrasound stunned doctors, revealing that she had miraculously developed a cervix and half a uterus.
It gave Ashley hope that the prospect of a future pregnancy could turn into a reality.
She has spent the past five years on hormone replacement therapy, a medication usually used to treat symptoms associated with female menopause.
Read more on rare conditions
The 21-year-old from Herron in western Australia said: “I was born without a uterus and cervix. As a result, I have never had a menstrual period, and I’m 21 years old.
“For the past 5 years, I’ve been on hormone therapy to induce puberty since it didn’t occur naturally.”
Ashley was originally diagnosed with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome due to her having no uterus.
MRKH causes the uterus or vagina to be underdeveloped or even non-existent – making pregnancy impossible.
However, following a recent scan, her diagnosis has since been updated to her having hypogonadotropic hypogonadism – a condition where the female ovaries produce little or no sex hormones.
The rare condition approximately affects one in 100,000 births.
Confused Ashley as to why she still hadn’t had a period, Ashley went to the doctor at 16 years old.
Tests confirmed that she had no reproductive system and only one kidney.
Doctors put her on hormone replacement therapy, which she’s been taking for five years, never imagining the changes it would bring.
There is hope for Ashley that she could get her first period if her reproductive system continues to grow – and she may even be able have her own children.
The news has left her “confused” and filled with “so many questions” about her condition overall.
What is Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism?
Hypogonadism is a condition causing the male testes or the female ovaries to produce little or no sex hormones.
Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is a form of hypogonadism that is due to a problem with the pituitary gland or hypothalamus.
The pituitary gland makes, stores and releases hormones, while the hypothalamus is a region of the brain that acts as the body’s smart control coordinating centre.
There are several causes of HH:
- Damage to the pituitary gland or hypothalamus from surgery, injury, tumor, infection, or radiation
- Genetic defects
- High doses or long-term use of opioid or steroid medicines
- High levels of prolactin, a different hormone released by the pituitary
- Severe stress
- Nutritional problems – both rapid weight gain or weight loss
- Long-term medical diseases, including chronic inflammation or infections
- Drug use, such as heroin or use or abuse of prescription opioid medicines
- Certain medical conditions, such as iron overload
Symptoms of the condition tend to vary between children and adults.
In children they may include:
- Lack of growth and sexual development at the standard age for puberty
- In girls, a lack of breast development and menstrual periods
- In boys, no development of sex characteristics, such as enlargement of the testes and penis, deepening of the voice, and facial hair
- Inability to smell (in some cases)
- Short stature (in some cases)
In adults, symptoms may include:
- Loss of interest in sex
- Loss of menstrual periods
- Decreased energy and interest in activities
- Loss of muscle mass in men
- Weight gain
- Mood changes
- Infertility
Source: Penn Medicine
Speaking about her condition, Ashley explained: “So I was born without a reproductive system, and I was also born with one kidney which is insane.
“Recently, I unexpectedly developed a partially formed uterus.
“Additionally, I’ve been given a new diagnosis of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, which affects my hormone levels due to issues with the hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
“I’m just hoping that my uterus grows even more and that hopefully, I get my first period in the next few months.”
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