Help with Endometriosis Awareness for Women

Hi, my name is Amy and I’m raising money for endometriosis awareness as it’s something that is very important to me.

For years I suffered with painful periods, painful sexual intercourse, chronic pelvic pain & fatigue. I was continually being diagnosed with the wrong medical conditions.

Getting diagnosed with endometriosis may take some time. In the UK, around 1.5 million women and those assigned female of birth are currently living with the condition, regardless of race or ethnicity. Endometriosis can affect you from puberty to menopause, although the impact may be felt for life. The symptoms of endometriosis are very similar to other common conditions. It's important to share as much information with your doctor as possible.

The only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis is by a laparoscopy - an operation in which a camera (a laparoscope) is inserted into the pelvis via a small cut near the navel. The surgeon uses the camera to see the pelvic organs and look for any signs of endometriosis. If endometriosis is diagnosed, the endometriosis may be treated or removed for further examination during the laparoscopy.

Scans, blood tests and internal examinations are not a conclusive way to diagnose endometriosis and a normal scan, blood test and internal examination does not mean that you do not have endometriosis.

Because endometriosis manifests itself in a variety of ways and shares symptoms with other conditions, diagnosis can be difficult and often delayed. Recent research shows that there is now an average of 7.5 years between women first seeing a doctor about their symptoms and receiving a firm diagnosis.

Ladies we need to talk about it! Pain is not normal. just because you get your diagnosis doesn’t mean endometriosis goes away.

Help support this charity that supported me through some of the hardest times of my life ❤️