Frances’ story – living with endometriosis

"I have been through so much and I don’t believe endometriosis is taken seriously enough and this needs to change."

At thirteen I started my period. Ever since I have had gynaecological issues. At sixteen the doctor put me on the pill and until the age of twenty-one this worked well. This was when I met my husband.

In the next few years, I lost a lot of babies and became consumed with trying to get pregnant. At twenty-seven I was given an operation which revealed lots of scar tissue and adhesions, signs of endometriosis. I should have been diagnosed then. I finally had my first baby at twenty-eight and my second at thirty-two.

I continued to have issues. I was sent to a gynaecologist who said I was just unlucky and to get on with it. I pushed and finally a scan revealed I had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. I thought I would be treated. But this was not to be.

At 40 I was bleeding heavily and was given the contraceptive injection. This made me quite ill. Another scan revealed fibroids. I was operated on and the coil was fitted. I bled constantly, and the pain was awful. My joints and muscles ached. The doctor did not believe this was caused by the coil. It was removed and I got instant relief.

In the following years I went back on the combination pill which worked until I was forty-five. The bleeding returned. The doctor said it was menopause and I had to get on with it. I bled for nine months. Sometimes I could not leave the house. A scan showed a thickened uterus wall, but the GP did nothing. I changed GP and got medication to stop the bleeding, but the side effects were awful.

I was sent for another scan and in 2020 I was diagnosed with stage four endometriosis. I was put into chemical menopause and am waiting for a hysterectomy. I have constant sciatic pain and pain in my muscles and joints. I have recently been given HRT. I am also now experiencing gallbladder issues.

I have been through so much and I don’t believe endometriosis is taken seriously enough and this needs to change.

End of page.