A Co Down woman, who underwent a hysterectomy at the age of 30 after being left in excruciating pain due to endometriosis, says she is still suffering with the effects of the disease.
Samantha Campbell is speaking out to mark Endometriosis Awareness Month and has urged other women living with the symptoms "not to suffer in silence".
Endometriosis is a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, affecting one in 10 women worldwide.
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The symptoms of endometriosis can vary. Some women are badly affected, while others might not have any noticeable symptoms.
The main symptoms are pelvic pain, period pain that stop you doing normal activities, pain during or after sex, feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea, or blood in your pee during your period, and difficulty getting pregnant.
Despite the seriousness of the disease, it takes an average of eight years just to get a diagnosis.
Samantha, 31, from Kilkeel was diagnosed with the condition when she was only 24 after suffering in pain for a number of years.
She had two surgeries to treat the condition before she underwent the most major surgery any woman can go through.
Samantha had a hysterectomy last June when she had stage 4 endometriosis but she now wants to end the lack of understanding and stigma around the issue.
She told Belfast Live : "I was plagued with heavy periods, fainting and dizzy spells that led to me being sent home from school, college and work or not being able to go. It also started to impact my mental health and that's why I chose to have the radical surgery.
"I was unable to manage or mentally cope with my periods - it was traumatic for me. I didn't want to have to face it every month or be building up to it every four weeks. I just felt that I couldn't go through it anymore and I was desperate for it all to stop."
When the Covid-19 pandemic hit and events were cancelled, Samantha wasn't sure how to raise enough awareness of endometriosis.
She created an Instagram account to share her journey of living with endometriosis from diagnosis and treatment through to her surgery and her life afterwards.
She added: "While endometriosis is about the lesions that grow inside you, there's a whole other part to it. It can take over your whole life and for me, it has led to me suffering mentally with depression and anxiety. I would urge others out there in the same situation not to face it alone and not to sit and suffer in silence.
"It's totally ok to feel frustrated and upset - that's perfectly fine and I've had to learn that myself, the hard way."
How to recognise the symptoms
Endometriosis can present itself in different ways from person to person, so it can be very challenging for doctors to diagnose. Common symptoms which suggest endometriosis include cyclical pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, or pain leading up to and during periods.
A change in bowel habit, tiredness, and difficulty conceiving can also be common symptoms, so it is important to seek medical advice early.
Keep a symptom diary
Keeping a pain and symptom diary is the best way to describe all of your symptoms before seeing a doctor. Specifically, note down when you experience symptoms concerning your periods, whether they are getting worse, and how they affect your daily activities.
Possible treatments
It may be worth trying to treat your symptoms initially with simple measures such as heat, gentle exercise, pain relief or hormonal medication, before considering more invasive options such as surgery.
For some people, it may not be possible to cure endometriosis, and treatments depend on the type and location of endometriosis and how severe it is.
Treatment can include medications such as the contraceptive pill, the Mirena coil and/or surgery. In some cases, a mixture of different treatments is needed.
Diet and exercise
Endometriosis is stimulated by oestrogen, so liver and digestive care through nutrition is important. Eating lots of green vegetables and anti-inflammatory foods, as well as reducing caffeine and alcohol intake can have an impact on the symptoms of endometriosis.
Fish oil supplements and Vitamin B12 can help endometriosis-associated pain. Also, exercising regularly can be beneficial.
Advice for people trying to get pregnant
For people who are trying to get pregnant and have endometriosis, you should consult your gynaecologist early. Start taking pregnancy supplements three months before you want to conceive and have unprotected sex regularly throughout your cycle when trying to conceive.
Most people have no problems conceiving, but it’s worth seeking expert help early.
Don’t be afraid to speak up
Endometriosis symptoms vary from person to person. Sometimes it takes a lot of time for people to acknowledge they have a medical condition and seek professional help.
It can be uncomfortable speaking to a doctor about intimate health issues for many, but an open and honest relationship is crucial for getting the correct diagnosis.
For those looking to find out more about endometriosis or get support, please visit www.endometriosis-uk.org.
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