A Grantham woman has called her experience with endometriosis 'torturous'
The government has set out plans to make improvements to women's healthcare, including investigations into the impact of endometriosis.
A Grantham woman who suffers from endometriosis says more support is needed for women's health issues.
Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other areas of the body.
It comes as the Health Secretary Victoria Atkins - who's also the Louth and Horncastle MP - announced this week the new women's health priorities for the year.
The plans include an investigation into the impact of endometriosis on women’s participation and progress at work to achieve reductions in diagnosis times.
Sashia Walden was diagnosed at 18 but had symptoms years before.
She tells us how it affects her:
"My symptoms now include nerve damage in my stomach, chronic pelvic pain, painful bowel and bladder movements, back pain, extreme fatigue... it's something I struggle with every day.
"It's very torturous to be honest, that's my only description of it, it's horrible. Every time that you have problems it's difficult, and it doesn't just affect your periods it affects your day to day life."
Sashia shared her reaction to the announcement with us saying:
"It's lovely to hear that it's being prioritised as a health condition this year, it definitely has been undermined for a long, long time and women have had to really struggle, not just with endometriosis but also PCOS and any other hormonal issues - menopause is really up there as well."
Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins, said:
"We're breaking historical barriers that prevent women getting the care they need, building greater understanding of women's healthcare issues and ensuring their voices are listened to.
"We've made huge progress, but I absolutely recognise there is more to do."
Endometriosis UK says one in ten women and people assigned female at birth suffer from the condition, and it takes on eight years on average to get a diagnosis.
Endometriosis is a systematic inflammatory condition where cells similar to the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body. It can cause severe pain, infertility, and has been linked with depression.
Minister for Women's Health, Maria Caulfield, said:
"These are issues that impact women but they should not be seen as ‘women’s problems’ - it is an everyone problem. We are doing more to put these issues on the agenda and keep them there, to close the gender health gap once and for all."