My name is Emma but on Instagram you will know me better as mummyspaininthearse. I first started my periods when I was 10 years old in quite a horrific way to say the least. The pain was completely debilitating and they would last for 14 days at a time only to start 14 days later. 

Many years past where I was told all of this was ‘just how some periods can be’ and then to be diagnosed with IBS just didn’t add up. I was put on numerous contraceptive pills, the coil, pain medications, prostap injections to then finally at the age of 20 have my first laparoscopy where I was diagnosed with adenomyosis (no Endometriosis found). It was only when a few months later a Endometriosis specialised surgeon operated on me a few months later that he found stage 4 Endometriosis everywhere. There began the cycle of constant surgeries, recovery, procedures, and prostap injections. Me and my husband had our miracle daughter and then after 6 surgeries the Endometriosis had become to be beyond debilitating and I would bleed even whilst on prostap. At the age of 31 I had a full hysterectomy. This took 3 surgeries in total that each took around 7-8 hours where each surgery I had my bowel damaged twice, my uretha damaged twice needing a stent for 8 weeks, a catheter, a blood transfusion and months of recovery. Nearly 5 years on I’m STILL in crippling pain and have been referred back to another surgeon.

There are times I have felt so alone and lost. This pain has a way of doing that to you, especially when it’s 3am and the rest of your family are sound asleep. When it’s there, every single day. Then I came onto Instagram... and I started speaking to you guys. You have helped me feel less alone. You have helped me feel so much stronger when I have felt my weakest, physically and mentally. There is a reason why we’re called Endosisters, because we are a sisterhood, I truly believe that. Whenever one of us needs picking up, we all reach out a gentle hand a help lift that person up. 

Being asked to become a Awareness representative is such an honour. My PASSION is to spread awareness about Endometriosis, to help others not feel alone and to help the future generation know that they are never alone.

Endometriosis just makes everything harder - being a mum, being a partner, being a friend, being a sister. For so long I thought the pain that I was feeling all through the month was normal. I went to what feels like so many doctors who I felt didn't take my pain seriously, said it was just my periods and told me to take paracetamol.

It wasn't until about 10 years after I started getting the symptoms that I was referred to the hospital and had my first surgery. Endometriosis was finally diagnosed, but a second surgery and many months of pain later, I don't feel much has changed.

There is still no real treatment apart from painkillers and surgery to get rid of endo which in my case has returned each time, there is no cure and diagnosis still takes around 8 years. I've missed days off work, nights out with friends and spent so much time in pain it's insurmountable. For years I didn't talk about my condition because I felt like no one would understand what it was like.

Thanks to Endometriosis UK, I have realised I am not alone, that what I am going through is not unusual, but also that I can live a valuable life and manage my condition.

I am so pleased to be working with Endometriosis UK to be raising awareness of this condition and the time it takes for diagnosis. I also want women like me to know that they are not alone in this.

I started my period when I was 11 years old and I thought it was normal to be doubled over in pain every month. It only took 22 years to realise that, in fact, it’s not. For me, it wasn’t just about having a period every month. It was knowing that when I was due to start, my bowels would play up. Play up to the point that I’d pass out in the bathroom, or call my husband because I was going to pass out while on the toilet! 

I would (pre-Covid), plan holidays and nights out depending on when I was ‘period-free’. I'm used to this now, and I don't see my mind-set changing soon. Not just because my handbag or suitcase would be that much bigger, but it's so I know I would be able to walk, dance, have fun without being bathroom or sofa bound, or walking around with a limp because my leg is aching (yeah, that's a thing too!). There is a myth around endometriosis. “Have a child” they say. “Your endo will go away” they say. They forget that having a child in the first place might be difficult! It’s depressing and you can feel really lonely. 

After having a couple of colonoscopies and a laparoscopy, I’ve been feeling better. However, the pain continues. Not as bad as before the operation, but it’s still there. A couple of months will pass and it’s manageable. Then I’ll have a couple of months where it’s so excruciating, I’m crawling between the sofa and the bathroom. Those days are the worst, but thankfully will only last a couple of days. During those days I will sleep upright in bed, with my legs bent towards me... that's the only comfortable position to be in.

Since taking part in Walk for Endo last year, I have been introduced to an amazing Endo-Community on social media, and have met some wonderful people. There's a sense of relief about talking to people who are going through similar issues, and it's nice to be able to share our journeys together. To support each other. So much love going out to my Endo Warriors.

I would never have talked about periods and bleeding or such like at home or with my family. Just because there is a taboo attached to it. But that has all changed because the conversation has to start somewhere. My family and in-laws having been so supportive of my journey over the past 8 months, and it's great to speak openly about this. The next generation need to know that's it's normal to talk about periods.If you’re going through something similar, please remember you are not alone. Even if at times you feel like you are. 

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