Not just period pain 

I first started to notice that something was wrong when I was about 19 years of age. I would get severe pain on my left side and sometimes I would not be able to breathe properly or even stand up. As the years went on it got worse, I couldn't eat for three days, my body would react differently every cycle, my mood changes were horrendous and I just could not function.

One day I was home with mum and dad when the pain started. They thought I was making it up until I climbed on the kitchen table gasping for air. They drove me straight to the hospital where a doctor diagnosed endometriosis. I was 21 when I had my first laparoscopy. The doctors were horrified when they opened me up and found cysts the size of oranges on both my ovaries, along with other endometrial tissues around my organs, including the liver, bowel and stomach.

Alongside the physical symptoms of endometriosis (which in my case were severe and extensive) my emotions have also been affected. When the doctor explained my situation to me after the first surgery, he basically said I was going to be very lucky to ever have children. These words have significantly affected my emotional state ever since.

On a positive note however, I have since met and married my darling husband who has been so supportive and understanding. We have been through one year of IVF so far which unfortunately was unsuccessful. This experience was very difficult for both of us - however one good thing that came out of it was that it has made our marriage so much stronger. We have now changed to a new IVF provider and are still hopeful that they will be able to help us.

Unfortunately people don't realise how profound endometriosis really is. People usually say ‘oh take a Panadol it's only period pain' - Ha!  Have I got news for them! More needs to be done to help endometriosis sufferers to understand and cope with their condition. If there is anyone out there who has read this and has a similar story to mine, please email in your story. I would really love to hear what other people have experienced. We must all help each other.

Content Updated May 19, 2008