I thought I should write a bit about how I was diagnosed with endometriosis and fibroids. I have created an illustration as usual!
When I was at school, we weren't given much information about periods and period pain. We were just given some free tampons and a little booklet to use as a period diary. I'm sure things are more advanced now!
My first few periods were more severe than I could've ever imagined. I actually bled through my PE shorts as I wasn't expecting it. I was miserable due to the pain, the embarrassment, the nausea. I had no idea how to manage it.
My GP put me on the pill straight away. This worked to take away the pain and worry. However, when I wanted to start a family, things became more challenging. My severe periods came back, except they were a lot worse. I was really struggling with the pain but just assumed that it was the same for everyone else.
After 2 years of trying and worsening periods, I was referred to a gynaecologist for a transvaginal ultrasound scan where a massive probe is inserted into your vagina to get a clearer picture. My consultant suggested I had endometriosis and possibly fibroids but would need surgery (a laparoscopy) to be sure. This was how my research journey started as I had never heard of endometriosis or fibroids. My mum had never told me that she had both conditions because she didn't think I would inherit them.
My laparoscopy confirmed I had endometriosis and some small fibroids. It was difficult to recover as I had never had surgery before but I was relieved that I finally had a diagnosis! The pain wasn't all in my head and it definitely was not normal!
Laura x
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