Roanne Forsythe's story

Ever since I can remember I’ve always wanted to have my own children; I have always had very strong maternal feelings. So I was devastated when I was diagnosed with endometriosis, and informed by my consultant that my fertility could be affected.

"My periods became

unbearable when

I came off the pill"

I was prescribed the contraceptive pill at a very young age due to very heavy and painful periods. Before I took the contraceptive pill I regularly had to take time off school as my periods were so very painful. After meeting my now husband we decided to start to try for a baby and therefore I stopped taking the contraceptive pill. Almost immediately, my periods became unbearable, with vomiting, pain, and bowel movements that were excruciating and full of blood. I just could not bear the pain - my life became ruled by the pain, which I not only experienced during menstruation but during the whole month.

I visited a consultant who advised me to have a laparoscopy, from which I got a diagnosis of endometriosis. The consultant said that my left ovary had a large endometrioma, which he removed along with part of my ovary. He also informed me that my bowel and uterus were fused together. As you can imagine my thoughts on having my own family were becoming a faint hope.

After my first laparoscopy I went to a fertility clinic as my consultant said that this would be the best chance I would have to conceive. My husband and I went through three unsuccessful attempts of fertility treatment, which were both physically and mentally draining. My life felt worthless as my only focus was to become pregnant. In between cycles I had two more laparoscopies, and my endometriosis had progressed to Stage 4. We decided to have one more attempt at IVF. Unfortunately, as well as the treatment cycles ruling our lives, we also had run out of money as we had already sold our house to finance the treatment.

Thankfully I had my last IVF attempt in August 2004 from which I became pregnant. I could not believe the result and even bought a pregnancy test every day for the first couple of weeks just to keep seeing the word 'positive.' I had hoped for this for such a long time. I wanted to write my story as I hope it gives people hope to keep on trying for a baby as it can happen and my beautiful daughter is proof.

"I bought a pregnancy

test every day for the

first couple of weeks"

I am hoping to try to have another child soon but my endometriosis has escalated again and I recently had to have a bowel resection. Hopefully we can start trying again in the not-so-distant future.

I became a member of Endometriosis UK last year, and I have had great support from the people I have met at my local support group. Having people to talk to and share experiences with makes things so much easier. Like so many others, my family just did not understand how I was feeling. Thanks to Endometriosis UK I have had the support and friendship that has helped me get through the good and bad times of this illness.