Aylesbury woman had six miscarriages before diagnosis of common condition
It took over a decade for Samantha Greig to be diagnosed with endometriosis
After six miscarriages and 12 years waiting for a diagnosis, a woman from Aylesbury is helping with research into the condition which stopped her having a baby.
Samantha Greig was diagnosed with endometriosis after 12 yeas of doctor visits and operations.
Now she is helping with an endometriosis study at the University of Oxford.
The University of Oxford and John Radcliffe Hospital are behind the study, which Samantha Greig from Aylesbury is taking part in.
In 2004 Samantha underwent surgery for polycystic ovaries but this didn't help with the pain and other problems she was experiencing. Over a decade later and after several appointments and surgeries she was diagnosed with Endometriosis.
The NHS describe this as a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
For Samantha finally having an answer was overwhelming:
"I spent until 2017 fighting with doctors that I had chronic pain, bleeding, problems going to the toilet... Just everything.
"I got told I was obese, that it was phantom pregnancies, that I should get over it and its normal to bleed and that I was a woman and I should get over it.
"When I got diagnosed he first thing I thought, and the first thing I said to my husband, was 'It isn't in my head'. Everyone had been telling me it was in my head but there is something wrong and it isn't just me.
"I felt relief in one way, because the doctor said there were these conditions and they could do x, y and z to try and help.
"But, at the same time it was also heart wrenching. The more you read about it the more you understand how much control it has over your body and how many other conditions you will probably have.
"Then you have to come to terms with the fact that isn't what you wanted and how you wanted to be."
An earlier diagnosis for Samantha could have changed her life, as the growth outside of the womb would have been monitored and her progression limited.
Now though, she is unable to work due to the constant pain and bleeding.
Samantha has also suffered six miscarriages over the years, and says currently IVF is her best option for pregnancy but this may not be possible.
Her hope is that taking part in this study helps women in the future:
"Children at the menstrual cycle age would know what is right and what is wrong. They would go to their GP, their GP would listen and refer them to a hospital.
"If that is done at the right age and the right time then people won't be suffering down the line like they are now.
"I am probably at the stage now where I can't go on and have children, but I could help 101 other people.
"Even if I only help 1 not suffer from the mental, physical and emotion pain I have then it will be worth it."
It is estimated that one in ten women in the UK suffer from this condition, and it takes an average of 7.5 years to be diagnosed from first complaint of symptoms.