This is Jenna's Story.
From very first starting my periods I have suffered, never knowing what was causing the issues. I went on the pill at 15 years old which did help, but as I got older the symptoms got worse and then when I stopped taking the pill to try for a family, symptoms got really bad.
I had attended the GP in the past but my symptoms were now so bad that I went back to my GP - this was January 2019. After seeing 3 different gynaecologists, a colorectal consultant, and having 2 laparoscopies and an MRI, I finally got my diagnosis in January 2021, where I was told I would need extensive surgery to treat it. I had been receiving prostap injections which helped but I've never been completely symptom free.
Over the years I have had to take numerous days of school and work due to how unwell I have been. Daily life at times has been a struggle and the diagnosis and timescale for treatment etc has had a massive impact on my mental health. I am very lucky to have an amazing supportive family and partner who have helped me through everything but at times it has had negative impacts to my romantic relationship. I had to undergo fertility treatment to conceive, which thankfully has been successful but that journey was so emotionally and mentally hard. I have also found it hard to discuss my health issues with school/work places and often felt that people would think I was being soft.
After over 4.5 years since that appointment in 2019, I have finally had the surgery I very much wanted and needed to hopefully become symptom free and be able to fully enjoy life, but that hasn’t come without it’s challenges mentally and physically. I have had a total hysterectomy at 36 years old which has been emotional and I now have an ileostomy which is a big change, but only 8 weeks after surgery I feel so much better!
Endometriosis UK is an amazing charity that are fighting to help make things better. I came across Endometriosis UK when searching google for information about my diagnosis and there leaflets/information have been a massive help and support for me.
