Doctors Thought I Was Pregnant – Then They Found Teeth and Hair Inside Me: A Woman’s Battle with PCOS and the Birth of Daye

When Valentina Milanova was just nine years old, she was struck by a mysterious health issue that left her feeling like she was dying. Experiencing her first period early, she didn’t understand what was happening to her body. Without any education on menstruation, Valentina felt scared and confused. What followed was over 20 years of pain, misdiagnoses, and a journey that would ultimately lead her to create a business aimed at revolutionizing women’s healthcare.

The Mysterious Symptoms: Feeling Like I Was Dying

“I had no idea what was going on with my body,” Valentina recalls, reflecting on that fateful moment when her period began at the age of nine. “No one ever explained to me what menstruation was. I thought I had some sort of disease, or maybe I was dying.”

With no knowledge of what menstruation entailed, Valentina kept her symptoms to herself. She didn’t want to alarm her parents, and she certainly didn’t know that her condition was recurring on a monthly cycle. She says, “I kept it a secret because I didn’t realize it was something that was going to happen every month.”

Her ordeal began to escalate as she reached adolescence. By the time she was 14, Valentina’s symptoms were severe enough to keep her out of school for an entire year. Doctors were stumped. They ran multiple tests for conditions like kidney disease and even E. coli, but nothing seemed to explain her symptoms. The misdiagnoses continued until she was finally diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)—but not before doctors found something even more alarming inside her body.

A Devastating Diagnosis: An Ovarian Cyst Filled with Hair and Teeth

Valentina’s PCOS diagnosis finally brought some answers, but not before doctors uncovered something shocking during an intravaginal scan. They discovered an 8cm ovarian cyst that contained hair and teeth. “It was terrifying,” she says, still reeling from the discovery. This bizarre cyst was a painful reminder of the severity of her condition.

“Doctors thought it might be an ectopic pregnancy at first,” Valentina explains. “But I was not sexually active, and it didn’t take long for them to believe me.” She found it frustrating that, for so long, her health was questioned in ways that felt deeply misogynistic—doctors assumed she might be lying about her sexual history. “It felt like I had to prove myself to be believed,” she says, clearly still affected by the experience.

The Struggles of PCOS: Living with Pain, Bloating, and Heavy Bleeding

Valentina’s struggles didn’t end with her diagnosis. For years, she battled severe cysts, painful bloating, and heavy menstrual bleeding, symptoms of PCOS that significantly affected her quality of life. Her experiences were compounded by a lack of knowledge in the medical community about her condition, leaving her to feel helpless.

Determined to find a solution, Valentina moved to the UK in 2018, and it was here that she took a transformative step in her life—creating a business that would help others facing the same struggles.

The Birth of Daye: Turning Pain into Purpose

Valentina founded Daye, a company dedicated to improving vaginal and menstrual care. Her goal was clear: she wanted to help other women avoid the health struggles and uncertainty she had faced throughout her life.

Her personal experiences with PCOS and the lack of understanding she faced in the healthcare system led her to create innovative products aimed at supporting women’s health, including diagnostic tampons designed for at-home STI and HPV screening.

Reflecting on her motivation, Valentina says, “Most women go through some form of gynaecological health horror story in their lifetime, and I wanted to change that. My own journey made me realize that without proper care and education, it’s easy for women to be overlooked or misdiagnosed.”

Daye’s groundbreaking work has impacted over 100,000 people in the UK and is advancing critical research into vaginal health. Their diagnostic tampons, which offer superior accuracy compared to traditional self-collected swabs, are now a part of the NHS’s goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040. Valentina’s company has even been selected for the prestigious NHS Innovation Accelerator program, further cementing Daye’s role in shaping the future of healthcare.

The Importance of Education and Advocacy: Raising Awareness for Women’s Health

Valentina’s commitment to raising awareness about PCOS and improving women’s health is driven by the lessons she learned through her own suffering. She is outspoken about the misogynistic attitudes she encountered during her medical journey and the need for better education and understanding of women’s health issues.

“There’s a huge gap in how women’s health is treated in the medical field,” Valentina shares. “If we don’t address this issue, we can’t expect to have healthy societies or economies. Women’s health must be prioritized.”

In addition to her work with Daye, Valentina continues to advocate for accessible education about menstruation and gynaecological health. She urges women to learn about their bodies and to seek help when they experience unusual symptoms. For Valentina, the fight is not just about her own health—it’s about helping future generations avoid the same struggles she faced.

Looking Forward: Empowering Women with Knowledge and Innovation

Valentina’s story is one of resilience and empowerment. Despite the painful experiences that have marked her life, she has turned her pain into a powerful force for good. Through Daye, she’s not only changing the way we think about menstrual and vaginal health but also giving women the tools they need to take charge of their own well-being.

“I want to help women feel empowered,” Valentina says with conviction. “No one should have to go through the confusion, pain, and stigma I experienced. My mission is to provide women with the support, care, and education they deserve.”

Takeaways: Understanding PCOS and Women’s Health

PCOS is a common but often misunderstood condition that affects millions of women worldwide. It can cause irregular periods, excess androgens (male hormones), and polycystic ovaries, leading to painful symptoms and fertility issues.
Early education and awareness about menstruation and reproductive health are crucial for helping girls understand their bodies and seek help when needed.
Valentina’s story highlights the importance of challenging misconceptions in the medical field, particularly those that affect women. Misogynistic attitudes and assumptions about sexual activity can lead to delayed or inaccurate diagnoses.
Daye is leading the way in revolutionizing menstrual care, offering innovative products like diagnostic tampons for at-home screening and advancing research into vaginal health.

FAQs: Understanding PCOS and Women’s Health Issues

What is PCOS? Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age, leading to symptoms like irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth, and ovarian cysts.
What are the symptoms of PCOS? Symptoms of PCOS can include irregular periods, acne, weight gain, excessive hair growth, and infertility. It’s important to seek medical advice if you experience any of these symptoms.
How is PCOS treated? PCOS treatment may involve lifestyle changes, medications to regulate hormones and manage symptoms, and in some cases, fertility treatments.
What is the importance of diagnostic tampons in women’s health? Diagnostic tampons offer an innovative way to screen for STIs and HPV at home, providing superior accuracy compared to traditional methods. They empower women to take control of their health and reduce the stigma associated with gynaecological care.
How can women advocate for their health? Women should educate themselves about their bodies, seek medical advice when symptoms arise, and challenge medical misconceptions that may lead to delays in proper diagnosis and care.