Ria's Story

I was 14 when the pain started, to the point I couldn’t get out of bed. I thought it was normal to have pain like that, my Mum took me to the doctors only to be told “It’s just bad periods“. I suffered over the course of my teenage years and a few times I even collapsed as the pain was so intense.

In 2009, I collapsed at work from the pain and was told it was a sign of an STI - I was mortified. I went to hospital and a gynaecologist - luckily on call from another hospital - read my notes and took over my case. That day changed my life. He suspected the reason for my pain and put me forward for my first laparoscopic surgery. That revealed endometriosis.

After surgery, life was a bit more comfortable. After 5 years though, the symptoms returned and in 2014 I had my second surgery. My Husband and I had already tried for a family, but it didn’t happen for us. We ended up having IVF and had our daughter in 2015. I was told having a baby would stop pain but that was not true in my case, in fact, it came back worse than before afterwards.

In 2021, I had my third laparoscopy and later my surgeon suggested a hysterectomy, which I had in March 2023.

My experience of endometriosis has impacted my life. I’d worry about having a painful episode while out and I worry that my young daughter may have it too. Talking about endometriosis is so important and I tell all my friends to feel free to ask questions as I know how hard the journey can be.

Thank you Ria for sharing your story.

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