"Doctors dismissed my pain and said my period was normal" says West Midlands woman calling for endometriosis support

Endometriosis effects 1 in 10 women, and those assigned female at birth, yet few people are aware of the condition.

Symptoms of endometriosis can differ from person to person but they typically involve pelvic pain, heavy and painful periods that interfere with everyday life and fatigue, to name a few.

This March, Endometriosis Awareness Month is aiming to tackle this by exploring how endometriosis must be better understood by the general public and can be better explained to patients by healthcare providers.

Many women who suffer with endometriosis, like Nina Cutaran from the West Midlands, wait several years to receive a diagnosis for their pelvic pain.

Nina waited five years and was dismissed by many doctors before she knew the cause of her pain: "I was hospitalised twice and all the doctors dismissed me saying it was normal period pain.

"It wasn't until I had a ruptured cyst on my ovary that I got diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis. Whenever I have period cramps, pelvic pain or a stabbing sensation in my thighs I get scared that I will have another ruptured cyst."

Since her diagnosis in 2023, Nina says everyday life has massively changed for her.

Nina said: "Living with endometriosis has changed my life entirely, it's taken away my favourite hobbies such as volleyball and it has placed a huge strain on my career.

"It effects my job and my productivity as there are days when I cannot leave my bed due to the pain. It really scares me that I could lose my job as each month I am absent due to the insufferable pain."

Nina says the biggest challenge she has faced since her diagnosis is how endometriosis has effected her fertility.

Nina said: "I felt like my life fell apart as I had always dreamt of becoming a mum but with endometriosis it is likely that I will struggle to conceive naturally, so the freedom of choosing when I would like to be a mum has been taken away from me."

Endometriosis Action Month is calling for greater awareness towards the chronic condition, Nina believes knowledge of endometriosis is getting better but it can come with challenges.

Nina said: "The diagnosis rate is getting better but it does mean more dedicated nurses within the NHS are needed to help women get the support they need."

BloodyEndoMidlands is a charity supporting women suffering with endometriosis in the West Midlands region, you can visit their support group Facebook page and website online.

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