Birmingham & Black Country Support Group
About this group
Our meetings are an informal, relaxed and safe place to meet others in a similar position, and to know you are not alone.
There is no expectation at our meetings. For some people sharing their experience helps, for others, just listening can bring comfort. We encourage you to do what feels most comfortable to you, and we'll support without judgement, whatever you decide.
We are aware that each person may be at a different stage in their journey, and these meetings are open to all. If you're just learning about endometriosis, starting your diagnosis journey, or have been diagnosed, you are welcome.
We aim to meet at least once a month and all dates are posted on our group page. An email is sent at the start of the month, alongside reminders that are sent a few days before. If its your first time attending a meeting, feel free to bring a friend or family member with you. We understand this can be quite an overwhelming experience, and support from a familiar face can sometimes help.
If you'd like to learn more or you have any questions, please feel free to email us directly. We are also on social media so check out the links below :)
Facebook Group: Join here
Instagram: Follow here
We look forward to meeting you!
General Session Information
A relaxed and social meeting at least once a month, where we can have a chat over a cuppa (and maybe cake!)
Upcoming Support group sessions
There are no upcoming sessions at this time. Please check back again.
Meet the Support Group Leader(s)
Lexi
Although TV adverts would have you believe women can do anything while on their period, playing tennis or ice-skating without a second thought, I always knew my monthly cycle would be painful. As a teenager, you would usually find me on the sofa with a hot water bottle and a tub of ice cream, assuming it was simply something those of us with a uterus had to endure. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to menstruation, so as far as I was concerned, my cycle was normal.
By my twenties, the pain had intensified. It often started a week before my period and lasted a week after. It spread beyond my abdomen to my back and legs, sometimes making it difficult to stand or walk. At that time, I had never even heard of endometriosis.
My first surgery in 2014 confirmed stage 4 endometriosis. Scar tissue had formed around my uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and bowel. My consultant described it as though someone had poured concrete around my pelvis, sticking my organs together. Laparoscopic surgery removed as much disease as possible, and I was later given Prostap injections to induce a temporary menopause to help with the pain.
Since then, I’ve had five further surgeries and several rounds of Prostap. Endometriosis has also been found on my rectum, bladder and kidneys. At one point I was preparing for major bowel surgery that could have left me with a permanent stoma, something that was incredibly difficult to process, however starting a family before this was a priority.
Like many people with endometriosis, fertility was always a concern. When my boyfriend and I decided to try for a baby, we were advised that IVF would give us the best chance because of the impact the disease had already had on my body. It was an emotional and physically demanding journey, but one that ultimately led to us welcoming our daughter in December 2025.
Living with endometriosis can often feel isolating, which is why the Endometriosis UK support groups are so important. Being able to talk openly with others who truly understand can make an enormous difference. After experiencing that support myself, becoming a volunteer support group leader felt like a natural step. I wanted to help create the same safe, understanding space for others navigating this condition; somewhere people can feel heard, believed and less alone.
Zainab
Hi, my name is Zainab. Ever since I can remember, my periods were excruciatingly painful—characterized by heavy bleeding, agonizing pelvic and back pain, and constantly running through pads. Yet, every time I went to the GP, I was dismissed. Struggling through work was a regular ordeal, and I often found myself sitting at my desk with a hot water bottle, even in blazing summer heat, while managers gave me puzzled looks. For years, I denied that what I was experiencing was abnormal. I tried countless treatments—both medical and holistic—but nothing seemed to help.
It wasn’t until a close family member was diagnosed with endometriosis and recognized the symptoms in me that I decided enough was enough. Encouraged to investigate, I pushed my GP for a referral to a specialist. That’s when I finally understood that the symptoms I’d silently battled for years were all linked to a condition that impacts so many women. Sadly, it still took another two years and numerous appointments to receive a diagnosis: stage 4 endometriosis and adenomyosis.
Endometriosis UK has been a lifeline for me. It has provided not only vital information to help me understand my prognosis but also a supportive community where I can share my struggles, frustrations, and moments of joy. This condition can be isolating, but finding a space where others truly understand has been invaluable.
My mission is to ensure that everyone battling this chronic condition has a safe space to turn to. I’m committed to tirelessly campaigning to raise awareness and improve understanding of endometriosis, and I remain hopeful that, in my lifetime, we will find a cure. Together, we can make a difference.
