A Colombian teenager named Zharick Ramirez from Barranquilla lives a perplexing reality – she weeps tears of blood. This unusual condition started during the coronavirus pandemic that disrupted the globe at the start of this decade.
Zharick bravely opened up about her peculiar circumstance to Emisora Atlantico, revealing the bizarre episodes of bloodshed from her eyes, nose, and mouth. “In 2020, I began experiencing nasal bleeding, which then extended to my eyes and now even my mouth,” she shared.
Initially attributing this to the stress of pandemic confinement, Zharick soon found her condition persisting irrespective of her emotional state. “It happens even when I’m relaxed, on vacation, or asleep,” she adds.
The Medical Explanation Behind Zharick’s Condition
According to ophthalmologist Luis Escaf, Zharick’s condition is called ‘Vicarious Menstruation’. It’s a rare pathological condition where endometrial tissue, typically found in the uterus, appears in other body parts. “In Zharick’s case, it’s in the conjunctival tissue, leading to subconjunctival haemorrhage, but it can manifest anywhere in the body,” Escaf explained.
This unusual bleeding correlates with a woman’s menstrual cycle due to the increased capillary permeability. Hence, women like Zharick bleed not only from their vaginas during menstruation but also from other parts of their bodies, such as the nose, ears, nipples, armpits, stomach, legs, or even the scalp.
Vicarious Menstruation’s Impact on Zharick’s Life
Since the onset of her condition in March 2020, Zharick’s life has drastically changed. Despite various tests and studies conducted on her, no medical specialist has found a definitive solution. “Anatomically, everything is fine; even my neurons are functioning well,” Zharick notes.
Unfortunately, the young girl hasn’t received the understanding and support she needs, facing discouragement even in her educational journey. “My teacher suggested that I might have to quit studying due to this problem,” Zharick remarked, emphasizing the life-altering consequences of her condition.
