I was 11 years old and away at guide camp when I first got the pains in my stomach. Three days later my periods started. Although I had been told about it I wasn't expecting what I saw, where was the nice red blood and what was this thick black clots that I saw? That was beginning and set the trend for years to come. I just assumed the pain and the black clots was normal (well you don't discuss these things do you) and carried on with life living on pain killers for a week every month.

At 17 I had my first serious boyfriend and entered (or tried to) into a physical relationship. It was then that I realised that things weren't right. Sex wasn't supposed to be this sore, you were supposed to enjoy it and not dread it. So I trotted off to my GP who I was sure would support me. And he did, he was really understanding...NOT!! He said I was frigid and prescribed me some diazepam to take before I wanted to have sex. Funnily enough this didn't help so I went back and after much persuasion was referred to the good old gynaecologist who would definatly understand and help me, after all that's his profession. But there I was neurotic and attention seeking. Even overheard a nurse saying 'oh she's just scared of having sex and needing some attention'. At 17 years old you start to wonder if they are right.

After splitting with my partner and no longer being in a physical relationship meant that at least I didn't have to worry about that pain. Period pains were worse than ever, unbearable at times but life goes on. Two years later I met my husband and tried to enter back into a physical relationship which by now just was not possible. I went back to the hospital and was met by all the same reactions again.

Luckily for me my husband and I moved areas. My new GP referred me to the hospital straight away and the gynaecologist had me in the hospital and diagnosed with in a month. At last I knew I wasn't going mad. Getting a diagnosis was good but I got very angry at my previous hospital and very down about the whole thing. I ended up taking anti-depressives to cope and seeing a counsellor for someone to talk to.

25 now, learned how to cope and off all anti depressives, had 3 laps the last one with lazer and had all the endo removed. After a year of counselling to get over the fear of being hurt my husband and I managed to have a physical relationship. Two years ago I came off my medication to try for a family and slowly the endo' is returning and no children are appearing. At the moment I feel I am as bad as I ever was and our physical relationship is becoming less and less as the pain returns once more.

Who knows what the future will hold. I go for another lap' later this month and then get referred to the fertility specialist after that. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful, understanding husband and know that what ever I have to go through he will be right there beside me, holding my hand and filling that hot water bottle, again!!

Thank you Lesley for sharing your story with us!

Kerrie's Personal Endo Story.

I suffered painful periods really since I started having them at the age of 11. I used to bleed for 2 weeks at a time and only have a week off. I of course thought this was normal as you're always told that when you first start your periods they will take time to settle down.

When I was 14 my Mum decided that I needed to see the Doctor as I was very pale and always in so much pain, he prescribed Ponstan to slow down the bleeding, stop the clots and help with the pain. This worked for about 2 months. I returned again to the Doctor and he put me on the contraceptive pill to regulate my very irregular periods. My Dad was horrified! I was only 14!

About 3 months after this I turned 15 and had started having 'breakthrough bleeding' which happens in the mid cycle and is quite common apparently, but it meant that again my bleeding lasted for 2 weeks. I decided to come off the pill as it didn't really make any difference so the next time I went to the Doctor I told him. He said I needed to give it another try and prescribed me a different one. Again nothing changed, But he did prescribe me very strong painkillers.

Tired of constantly going to the GP I relied on pain relief to keep me going. At age 17 I was rushed into hospital with suspected appendicitus, but on scans nothing was found. Aweek later I was diagnosed with Glandular fever and all the pelvic pain was put down to that!

When I started employment one of my co-workers noticed there was a regular time scale for my absence and told me that his ex wife had suffered from a disease called Endometriosis, I had never heard of it but all the symptoms were the same as mine. Armed with new info I went back to the Doctor and told every one of my symptoms, he referred me to Gynae straight away. My first visit was horrible, the Doctor basically said she didn't think I had endo and that I should go on the pill, even after I told her I had tried 4 different kinds! She also on examination left the student to have a go at an internal which was very painful!

The Doctor reluctantly put me on the waiting list for a laparoscopy after my disgust at going on the pill. I never saw that doctor again thankfully. I was also put on a course of Provera until such time as an appointment came through.

I had my lap and was diagnosed! I had endo on my Bowel, Bladder, tubes, overies and uterus. I was then put on a course of Danazol to try to shrink the cysts, I had really bad side effects on this and was told to stop taking them. My Gynae then reffered me to a laser surgeon to have another lap. In the mean time I was rushed into hospital again with suspected appendicitus again!

The surgeon came to see me and said I would be on his next list. I had the laser lap a few weeks later and it really helped.

Now 3 years on the endo has come back, I am waiting for my 3rd lap and it will be anyday soon.

Thankfully I have a great GP who really listens to me and talks to me like a real person!

I hope that this story will help someone out there to seek help and to keep going back for answers.

lots of love Kerrie

Thank you Kerrie for sharing your story with us!