Laura Todd's story

The thing I find most upsetting is the amount of women out there who put up with endo for so long, struggling to be diagnosed and believing that severe period pain is a normal aspect of life. I am a 26 year old New Zealander who has discovered a whole new lease of life since being diagnosed and treated in July last year.

For years, I had horrific pains during my period and I really dreaded that time of month coming round. I have fainted, vomited, and been doubled up in so much pain I thought I was dying. My energy levels were so low it made my job as a teacher very difficult.

"I was told that endo

is over-diagnosed?!"

All I was prescribed were painkillers that had absolutely no affect on me. I even took an article I had read about endometriosis to the doctors, but was told my pains were normal and endo is over diagnosed?!

I had blood tests for my low energy levels but everything was fine. But I thought a young person needing so much sleep wasn't right. I felt depressed thinking that this could be what my life would be like, and blamed myself: maybe I was just a lazy person after all.

Through university, the pain was easier to put up with because I could sometimes skip a lecture and then catch up. But beginning teaching was hard. I used the pill to manage my periods, so they would start at weekends, but it didn't always work. I felt embarrassed about explaining to my boss - I thought she’d think I was faking, especially if my period fell on a Friday or Monday.

I put on weight, and struggled with my moods. At an all time low I changed doctors again. I paid them a tearful visit and was so relieved when I was referred to a specialist.

I made an eight hour journey to meet a specialist who thought I should be operated on. I cried (again) as I finally had someone who listened to what I was going through.

Having secured a wonderful job in the UK which started in six weeks, they decided to operate straight away. I had more tears after discovering I had stage three endo, and that they had successfully removed it all.

It felt so good knowing that it wasn't all in my head, but I also felt anger towards the doctors that hadn't listened, and that it had taken so long to diagnose.

I remortgaged my house to pay the NZ$10,000 for the operation as waiting lists on the regular health system were so long. I felt I did the right thing as you can’t put a price on your health.

Since moving to the UK, I’ve become a lot happier. My moods have levelled out, and the best part: I have had no pain! I’ve taken up jogging and surprised everyone back home by competing in a 5k run - I even ran the whole way! I was so proud of myself; this was something I’d never thought possible. My Mum wasn’t that happy when I rang to tell her at 1am NZ time!

"I wish people were

made more aware of

endo when growing up"

I can now give one hundred per cent in my job all the time. My mum’s been over to visit and was amazed at how healthy and happy I am now looking, and also how I bounce out of bed!

It was very helpful meeting others at last year’s AGM who were going through/had gone through the same. I wish it could be diagnosed more quickly, and that women were made aware of it growing up. It’s an embarrassing subject, but the more people that share their stories, the better accepted it will be in society, and perhaps acted upon faster.