“HS: There are brighter days ahead”

(CW: mention of medical trauma) “I was diagnosed with HS, or hidradenitis suppurativa, along my bikini line 2 years ago. A small bump that quickly grew and started flaring up until the flares became so frequent that I had to seek surgery to remove it. I went to a general surgeon who took advantage of my willingness and completely disregarded me as a human. It was a traumatic experience that I still get anxiety from today. The surgery unfortunately didn’t even help. Finally, after several months of suffering, I found a dermatologist, a woman, who understood my condition. She cut out at least 4 inches of skin and tissue directly next to my vulva.  

I have a 3 inch scar now that reminds me of the pain, shame and difficulties getting my HS taken care of. HS halted my life, changing the way I look at my body and its health. I am still becoming comfortable with my scar and history. HS has very much changed my relationship to my vulva as its scar is an ever-present reminder of something I’d love to forget.

I share this to raise awareness for HS. There are so many of us out there, many who do not even realize they have HS but are still greatly suffering at its hand. I want others suffering from HS to know that there are brighter days ahead. There are physicians out there who understand and can do something for us. But we must stick together and advocate for better research and treatments, so no one must go through the trauma I have.” – K, 25, USA (she/her)