Betty Mukherjee, aged 28 from Gargrave, North Yorkshire, is undergoing IVF treatment after being diagnosed at 16 with Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser syndrome (MRKH), a rare condition affecting one in 5,000 women that means she was born without a uterus and with only one kidney. Now living in Silsden near Bradford, Betty and her partner Dan are pursuing embryo freezing as part of their hope to join the womb transplant programme.
Diagnosed As A Teenager
Betty first realised something was wrong when she did not start her period as expected during puberty. Following multiple scans and tests, doctors confirmed she had MRKH syndrome. Despite going through hormonal changes and puberty, she was born without a womb, which initially left her feeling vulnerable and isolated.
Living With Mrkh
The diagnosis brought relief after years of uncertainty but also sparked fears about the future. “At 16, I was questioning all of that,” Betty says, recalling the emotional impact of growing up with the condition and hiding it due to feeling different. She describes fluctuating periods of despair and acceptance over the following decade.
IVF Journey Begins
Supported by her partner, Dan, who has known about her condition from the start, Betty recently began IVF treatment. After two rounds in September and February, they successfully retrieved six healthy embryos, surpassing the five-embryo requirement for the womb transplant programme.
Hope Through Medical Science
Betty stresses the importance of advocating for oneself in medical appointments and exploring available options, even if not ready to pursue them immediately. “Hope is such a beautiful thing,” she reflects, recognising the advances in medical science that could open new paths for women with MRKH in the future.
