I have suffered with pain and other symptoms since I was 12 years old without accessing the proper care and support that I needed. Constantly being pushed to take a number of different hormonal contraceptives to manage the symptoms despite the negative impact these had on my mental health. I've spent years feeling ignored and pushed away by medical professionals, and fighting to get the answers I desperately needed and deserved.

I was finally referred to gynaecology (thanks to the lovely GP I saw) in 2020 and started having investigations such as bloods and ultrasounds and it was discovered that I have a bicornuate uterus with a septum - a rare abnormality that causes the uterus to split down the middle. This did give me some answers but didn't provide an explanation for all of the symptoms I was experiencing. I then had to continue to advocate for myself, see a number of different consultants and request second opinions.

I was repeatedly told that I was 'too young' to have the surgery and that I should start a family first (due to the risks of damaging reproductive organs during the procedure) despite the fact that my symptoms were interfering with my life, preventing me from working at times, causing me to spend days in bed and having a huge impact on my quality of life.

I was very fortunate to have some lovely people in my life at the time who payed for me to be seen privately for another opinion. It was because of this, and the letter that consultant provided, that I was finally put on the NHS waiting list for surgery in 2024. Unfortunately not everyone has this privilege.

After two cancelled surgery’s, I finally had my laparoscopy and hysteroscopy in November 2024. I was relieved to have some answers after 10 years of suffering, and to finally feel believed.

Although the surgery did improve some symptoms, my endometriosis has continued to progress rapidly to other organs - likely including my diaphragm/lungs, bladder and bowel, meaning I am back on the waiting list for a laparoscopy and excision with a specialist.

Endometriosis has been known to cause pain more severe than kidney stones (which I can vouch for after having them twice), appendicitis, childbirth, and a heart attack. Yet there is no cure for this chronic condition, no real treatment, and not enough research, leaving millions of people to suffer for years on end with little to no relief, constant anxiety, medical gaslighting, and no answers.

I was outraged to find that over the last year not only has there been no improvement in wait times or care, but the average time for diagnosis in the UK has actually increased from 8 years to 9.

This is not good enough. No one should have to experience this level of pain and discomfort for such a significant amount of time.

I’m taking part in Walk for Endo this Summer to help raise awareness and vital funds to support people on their journey with endometriosis and take steps towards a time with quicker diagnosis and access to appropriate care. I will be walking >9000 steps per day throughout July, to represent the 9 year average wait time for a diagnosis.