Share Your Story
Do you want to tell your story? We want to help you share it.
Please read this form to see if your story is a good fit for our Real Women, Real Stories.
HealthyWomen's Real Women, Real Stories are first person 800-1,000 word essays documenting the lived experiences of women ages 35 to 64 along their health journeys. If selected, your personal story will be told to a professional writer who will handle it with sensitivity and care and present it to our audience in an "as told to" format.
The best stories focus on your experience, your journey — your truth. They can be a general topic ("How I learned to survive and thrive with endometriosis") or hone in on a particular aspect of a topic ("My 10-year journey to a proper diagnosis"). The essays allow you to share your story, which can often be cathartic. And, best of all, they show women they're not alone in their health struggles and inform our audience, which is made up of women, healthcare professionals, researchers and policymakers, about the actual experiences of real women. They often inspire our readers with hope that it's possible to live well with a certain condition.
We're looking for a clear and compelling narrative, told in a conversational tone. Your story should focus on your personal experience, rather than trying to dispense general, medical advice. At times, these essays may require a medical review to ensure the facts stated are accurate. Please read recent examples of Real Women, Real Stories here before submitting yours. You'll be surprised to see how Gill's heart attack at 43 was a blessing in disguise, moved to learn that there can be some joy in caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's and inspired by how McKenna learned that bald really is beautiful.
If you have a story you'd like to share, please complete the form below. Thank you for your courage — and for contributing to our community!
Subjects must not be affiliated with or promoting a product or company, including their own.
HealthyWomen does not compensate first-time Real Women, Real Stories contributors. By submitting this form, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to these terms of use.
