Hi, my name is Catherine. Back in the 80’s My Endometriosis journey began when I was roughly 17.
I had the most awful pain during my menstrual cycle which resulted with numerous visits to the doctor and repeatedly being told that lots of people have bad period pain and to take over the counter pain killers. I did exactly that for nearly 2 years until I started to pass out with the pain. I was referred to a gynaecologist and Endometriosis was diagnosed.
The only treatment offered to me was stronger painkillers. Due to repeated emergency admissions to hospital with pain and what they called endometrial “chocolate cysts” I had surgery to remove half my left ovary and then 6 months later the other half was removed.
A year or so later the admissions to hospital were becoming more frequent until after a failed laparoscopy because of adhesions. In 1987, at the age of 24 I had to have a hysterectomy which found that my bowel, bladder and womb were all stuck together with endometrial tissue.
After all of that I expected never to hear the endo word again but no, small residual bits of tissue were “fed” for want of a better word by the HRT that I had to commence.
I would like to end this saga with some positivity I am married and we were very lucky to be able to adopt two fantastic children.