Raising awareness of endometriosis
FOR almost nine months, endometriosis sufferer Michelle Richardson was told the pains she felt in her groin were simply period cramps.
It was not until she was referred to a consultant gynaecologist following an abnormal smear test that the condition was eventually diagnosed.
Now, the 29-year-old from Great Waldingfield wants to raise awareness of the painful disease, which affects around two million UK women and is often missed by doctors.
Michelle, who is mum to seven-year-old Ethan, said: "I noticed things hadn't been quite right for a while, but in January last year it all came to a head when I had a 21-day period.
"I was having really bad pains so I saw the doctor. She examined me and told me it was period pain but I had never had pains like it before."
Still worried, Michelle returned to see the nurse the next week.
Following two abnormal smear tests, which were unconnected to the endometriosis, Michelle was referred to a consultant gynaecologist at West Suffolk Hospital in July.
"I went through my history with her and told her about the pains I was having during sex, the sharp stabbing pains I get and the general groin aches and bowel pain," said Michelle. "She told me it might be endometriosis."
A laparoscopy in September – an operation which involves inserting a camera through an incision in the belly button – confirmed she had the condition.
Endometriosis is when small pieces of the womb lining are found outside the womb. Every month, the endometriosis cells grow during the menstrual cycle and are shed as a bleed, which has no way of leaving the body, leading to pain, swelling and sometimes damage to the fallopian tubes or ovaries, causing fertility problems.
Michelle, who will undergo an operation to remove the endometriosis next month, hopes that by speaking out, other women will be able to get correctly diagnosed and employers will be more understanding of the condition.
"It is about getting the truth out there," she said. "There was an episode of Channel 4's Embarrassing Bodies recently which showed someone having one operation and going on to live a pain free life. It is not like that.
"Some women have had multiple operations and have even had hysterectomies and it still comes back. Others have so much pain they can't even get out of bed – they have to crawl to the toilet.
"It can start as early as puberty but doctors won't always recognise that.
"People could be having relationship problems as a result of the condition or work problems because employers are not sympathetic and don't understand why people need time off. It really does affect day to day life.
"I would say to ladies: 'you know your body, you know if something is not right so see a doctor and get some tests – don't be put off'."
Michelle has set up a Facebook support group for endometriosis sufferers living in Suffolk with the aim of sharing stories and offering support.
A national awareness week, organised by Endometriosis UK, will also be taking place from March 8 to 14. For more information, visit www.endometriosis-uk.org.
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