Lowri

From my first period (aged 14) cramps would radiate from my lower ribs down to my knees, I would bloat to the size of a heavily pregnant woman and my periods were really heavy. I knew something wasn’t quite right, I just figured that everyone was different.

Like many other women, I spent years having GPs tell me “you’re a woman, you will just have to learn to live with it” and suggesting ibuprofen, hot water bottles and putting me on the pill.

I was finally officially diagnosed with endometriosis via laparoscopy in August 2016. I was approaching my 31st birthday.

Five years and various surgical and hormonal treatments (including two lots of chemical menopause) later I had excision surgery with one of Wales’s NHS endometriosis specialists at the end of October 2021. After being in theatre for just over six hours, all of my visible endometriosis was excised (there was a lot of it covering my pelvic wall, bowel, rectum, womb and ovaries) and I was diagnosed with the added loveliness of suspected adenomyosis. (Just a reminder..... there is no cure for endometriosis and there is a 30-50% potential chance it will come back even after the 'gold standard' of treatment).

I have volunteered with Endometriosis UK since 2019 to help raise awareness and offer support to other local ladies with this condition. Growing up and living in mid Wales it can feel a bit lonely, especially when faced with a long-term health condition, as we tend to fall in between the cracks living in such a rural area, so I wanted to ensure there was a safe space and a friendly face when it's needed. I also get involved in many of Endometriosis UK's fundraising challenges and events, including #WalkForEndo and the Cardiff Half Marathon in October 2022, and have raised over £3,500 to date #GoTeamEndo !