Sep 28, 2025 | blog, Reproductive Health
Dear Letena,
My name is Mekdes Abera. I am a senior in high school and just finished my University Entrance Exams. I do not want to brag, but I am one of the top students in my school. I recently won a national general knowledge contest. I have many hobbies, I play basketball, I have a good social life, and people often tell me about my potential to do great things. I believe that too. But something has happened that puts all of that into doubt for me. I am writing to you today because I feel overwhelmed and lost. I fear I might be pregnant.
My period is late. I have not told anyone yet, but in my heart I know that pregnancy is a possibility for me. My boyfriend and I are usually careful. We knew what we needed to do to prevent things like this, but to be honest we weren’t always careful. I think I even know when it might have happened. It was oldies day at our high school. Some friends had brought wine, and my boyfriend and I drifted away from the group. We were tipsy, enjoying the music, and we got carried away. I am ashamed to admit that, no matter how brave I think I am, I don’t always know how to say what needs to be said in the moment. Especially in intimate situations, it feels almost rude to speak up.
We are both so young. My boyfriend is kind and supportive, but he is just starting out in life, without stable income and still dependent on his family. Besides, there is so much we have yet to experience. Sometimes I imagine myself holding a baby, but then I remember the life I want to build: completing my studies, pursuing my career, and traveling. All those dreams feel like they could slip away if I become a mother now.
The thought of telling my family terrifies me. They are strict and have always warned me to wait, to be responsible, and to focus on my education. I do not know how they would react. They have always been supportive and progressive, but would that change in the face of something like this? What if they try to push me into a decision I do not want?
I have also been thinking a lot about abortion. I know it is a difficult subject for many, but right now it feels like an option I cannot ignore. I don’t want to end up resentful, trapped in a life I didn’t want. I want to make my own choice about my body, my life, and my future. Does this make me selfish, or does it make me honest to admit that I am not ready for motherhood yet?
I feel caught between fear and hope. On one hand, I do not want to disappoint anyone. On the other, I know that if I am pregnant, whatever choice I make will change me. I just do not know which path will be the right one.
NB: The character in this story is fictional, and the name generated randomly.
Writer: Dr. Hosaena Gebru
Sep 21, 2025 | blog, Reproductive Health
Dear Letena,
I am a 30-year-old man from Addis Ababa, and I am writing because I do not know where else to turn with my worries. For some time now, I have been struggling with a very personal concern.
My wife and I have been married for about three years. From the beginning, it has been an important part of our plan to build a family together. We have been trying to conceive month after month, but despite our hopes and prayers, nothing has happened. At first, I told myself it might just take time, but as the months turned into years, my concern has grown. The silence in our home feels heavier with each passing season. My wife has been patient, loving, and supportive, but I cannot escape the feeling that the problem might be me.
During the New Year holiday, when our family gathered, one of our relatives asked us about children. That moment weighed heavily on my wife, and soon after she decided to have her fertility checked. The results showed no major problems. She gently asked me to get tested as well, but out of fear I reacted badly. I told her I was fine and became defensive, as if her suggestion was an accusation. Since then, I have found myself searching online in my free time, trying to understand what could affect a man’s fertility. I have read that past smoking, heavy drinking, untreated infections, stress, and even long hours of heat exposure can all play a role. Some of these apply to me. I smoked in my early twenties, I worked in hot and exhausting environments when I lived in Dire Dawa, and stress has been a part of my life for years. The more I read, the more I wonder if my lifestyle and choices could be the reason for our struggles.
All of this has left me feeling torn between shame and responsibility. I do not want to admit to myself, or to my wife, that the problem could be mine. At the same time, I know that denying it only creates more distance between us. Whenever she brings up the subject, I see the hurt in her eyes when I shut down the conversation. I want to be the husband who supports her, not the man I have become. The truth is, I feel scared. I am scared to get checked, scared of being judged by my family, and scared of what the results might mean for our future together.
That is why I am reaching out to you. I hope your team can offer me some guidance, whether it is advice, information, or the first steps I should take to get tested. I would also like to know where I can go for counseling if my fears turn out to be true. Even sharing my story here brings me some comfort. I want to face this openly for my wife, for our future, and for myself. I just need some support to take the right steps.
Writer : Kidus Solomon
Sep 14, 2025 | blog, Reproductive Health
Dear Letena,
I am a 25-year-old woman reaching out because I am experiencing changes in my body that I can no longer ignore or stay silent about.
For the past year, I have been gaining weight even though my eating habits have not changed significantly. No matter how hard I try, losing the extra weight feels almost impossible. At the same time, my monthly periods have become irregular. Sometimes I skip a month, while other times they come late and are unusually heavy.
I have also noticed an increase in hair growth on my face, chin, and stomach, while the hair on my scalp has started thinning. These changes have been very difficult for me, especially since I grew up in a family surrounded by men. Without a sister or mother figure to confide in, I often feel isolated when it comes to talking about what is happening to my body.
My partner has noticed these changes too. He tries to be supportive, but he is also concerned about my constant fatigue, mood swings, and acne breakouts. These symptoms have affected my confidence, and at times I feel embarrassed in front of him. It is difficult to explain that these issues are not something I can easily control.
After doing some reading, I came across information about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Many of my symptoms; weight gain, irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, and thinning hair seem to match what women with PCOS often experience. However, I have never spoken to a health professional, so I do not know for sure if this is what I am dealing with.
I am writing to Letena Ethiopia because I believe you provide a safe space for young women like me who cannot openly discuss reproductive health within their families. I want to understand what is happening to my body, learn what steps I can take to manage these changes, and protect my future fertility.
Writer: Hermon Israel
Sep 7, 2025 | blog, Reproductive Health, Sexual Health
Dear Letena,
I don’t really know how to begin this letter, but I feel like I can’t keep everything inside anymore. I’m twelve now, and my body is changing so quickly. Instead of feeling excited about it, I mostly feel out of place. When I look at my friends, they still seem like kids, but I don’t. It feels as if I’ve stepped into a world I wasn’t ready for, while everyone else stayed behind.
Lately, my chest has been growing, and sometimes it aches in a way I don’t understand. I catch myself crossing my arms over it, hoping the discomfort will ease and that no one will notice. But the boys at school already have, and the teasing feels endless. They point, laugh, and make comments that sting more than I can admit. Every time it happens, I wish I could shrink back into myself and disappear.
I’m too embarrassed to bring any of this up to my mom. Just the thought of saying the words out loud makes my face burn. I even tried searching for answers online, but all I found were long explanations filled with big words and scary possibilities. Nothing seemed to speak to what I’m actually going through. So I’ve stayed quiet, carrying all of this by myself.
Sometimes I wonder why it had to happen to me first, why growing up feels less like moving forward and more like being pushed into a spotlight I never asked for. It’s lonely, confusing, and often I just wish I could pause everything until I feel ready.
I’m writing to you because keeping this inside has started to feel unbearable. I need to believe there is at least one place where my fears won’t sound foolish.
Writer: Bezawit Elias
Aug 24, 2025 | blog, Reproductive Health
Dear Letena Ethiopia, I’m a 29-year-old woman from Dallol, Afar. Please keep my identity secret. I’m writing to you because I don’t know where else to turn. I’ve been feeling scared and confused lately about what’s happening to my body. I’m hoping your team might be able to help me understand what’s going on or at least guide me toward the next steps
It all began a few months ago when I started noticing unusual signs that have slowly become more worrying. At first, it was just a strange pressure in my lower belly, almost like something heavy is sitting there. I assumed it was just bloating since I get that from time to time. Then, about two months ago, I started noticing bleeding between my periods. It’s not heavy or anything, just small spots that show up unexpectedly on my undergarments. At first, I tried brushing it off, thinking maybe it was stress or that my body was just tired, but as time goes on, it’s becoming harder to ignore.
Lately, things have become even more unusual. I’ve noticed that I feel full just after a few bites of food, and most days my stomach feels bloated almost every day. I’ve also noticed a small lump when I lie down. It doesn’t hurt, but I know it wasn’t there before. Even going to Meelal to relieve myself hasn’t felt normal recently.
I’ve been married for a few years now, and I’ve never been pregnant; I don’t have any children. When I first got married, I used injectable contraceptives for a while, but aside from that, I’ve had a normal married life. Recently, I’ve started feeling discomfort and pain during sex, something I’ve never experienced before.
I honestly don’t know what this could mean, but deep down, I’m worried. That’s why I feel it’s important to reach out before things get worse.In a conversation with my friend, she mentioned that her aunt once had something similar, and it turned out to be a tumor. I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but I also can’t ignore the possibility.
I live in a small village of Dallol in the Afar region, where it’s hard to find someone who specializes in women’s health. That’s why I’m reaching out to you. I’ve heard that your organization helps women who don’t always have access to care, and I’m hoping maybe you can help me too. Either with advice or just pointing me in the right direction. I can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong.
Please let me know if there’s any way someone from your team could speak to me, even remotely. I don’t have many options. Your support would mean a lot in understanding what’s happening to my body.Please let me know if you can arrange a phone consultation or connect me to a women’s health specialist.
Thank you so much for reading this. Even just writing it down has been a bit of a relief.
Sincerely X
Aug 17, 2025 | blog, Reproductive Health
Youth are young, but not invisible. Youth voices carry the stories, struggles, and dreams of a generation, stories that deserve space in every conversation about reproductive health. Too often, decisions are made for the youth without us, as if we do not understand our bodies, challenges, or aspirations. Yet many youth are living the realities of early pregnancies, period poverty, lack of access to accurate information, and the social pressures that shape choices. When youth voices are included, discussions become grounded in lived experience. Without us, policies and programs risk becoming distant and disconnected from the truth on the ground.
Youth voices matter because reproductive health is not only a medical issue, it is about dignity, empowerment, and the right to decide one’s future. When young people speak, we bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and unfiltered accounts of what works and what does not. We know the stigma that comes with seeking contraceptives, the fear of judgment when asking questions, and the silent battles fought to protect well-being. Including our voices means creating solutions that truly work for those who need them, not just for the numbers in a report. It transforms reproductive health from a taboo subject into an open, safe, and empowering space.
When youth speak out, we speak for millions who remain silent because of fear, cultural barriers, or lack of opportunity. We show that young people are not merely recipients of change, we are its drivers. When youth voices are valued, society moves toward a future where reproductive health services are accessible, inclusive, and free from shame. Our voices matter because these are our lives, our bodies, and our futures, and no conversation about reproductive health is complete without us.
Reproductive health needs youth voices, all voices.
Written by :- Hermon Israel
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