I started my period when I was 13 and straight away I suffered with bad period pain. I just thought this was normal and what happened to every woman.

When I was 16 I was put on the pill to regulate my period. This masked my symptoms for a few years but I still found my periods painful.

When I was about 21 I noticed each month becoming more and more painful. I was constantly at the doctors and was told to get used to it, it was part of being a woman and take painkillers.

Eventually when I was 24 I could not take anymore. I could not go to work for two or three days a month and was struggling with severe constipation, I would not go to the toilet for up to three weeks! This went on for another two years. Along with being off work with my periods, I was phoning in sick other times off the month too. The pain was so bad I would pass out and literally scream in agony. No one believed me and work were telling me I was going to be took down disciplinary.

Eventually I went to see another doctor when I was 26. He listened to me and did not dismiss me. Within a month of seeing this doctor I was referred to a Gynaecologist. I had my first Laparoscopy July 2008 where I was diagnosed with endometriosis. I was told it was on my bowel and most of it had been removed. After my Laparoscopy I tried hormone injections to make my body think I was going through the menopause. It was awful, it stopped my periods but I was still in constant pain. My Gynaecologist felt she was not experienced enough to deal with my endometriosis so I was referred to another Gynaecologist.

In October 2009 I went in to hospital to have another Laparoscopy. I was told it would take thrity minutes and I would be allowed home that day. Instead the surgeon was working on me for nearly three hours. The Endo was a lot worse than he thought. I ended up having surgery on my bowel, bladder and recto-vaginal. I was in hospital for four days with a drain sticking out of my side. The worst part was being told that my tubes are blocked. I was only supposed to be off work for a few weeks but ended up having to have nine weeks off. I really wanted the operation to work, to move on with my life, to be able to live again.

Five months on I'm still in pain, not as bad as before but it's getting there. I'm currently waiting for a date for another Laparoscopy and had my Pre-op two weeks ago. Hopefully the Endo's not back and it's just my body taking a little longer to heal after the surgery. As my Gynaecologist told me I did have major surgery which could take six to eight months to heal.

I really want children and that's what hurts the most. If I can't have them I blame the years of being ignored by numerous doctors. People say I can have IVF or adopt, but why should I? Why can't I be normal? It's been really getting me down, the years of pain, people not believing me and the shock of how severe my Endo was. I'm on anti-depressants and having counselling so hopefully I be ok soon!

Update July 2010

It's been a while since I updated my story. I had another Laparoscopy in May and it wasn't good news. After having major surgery in October I was hoping to feel better, but I was still suffering. It was decided that my surgeon would have another look. The pain was being caused by adhesions which had not healed properly. I was again in theatre longer than anticipated but thankfully I only had to stay in hospital one night. I was told in October that my Fallopian tubes were blocked but that it could be due to the shock of surgery. In May my Surgeon had another look and they were still blocked. He tried to unblock them but he was unsuccessful due to them being too damaged and cannot be unblocked even in the future. I was and still am devastated. If I had been diagnosed earlier this would not have happened. I'm not even sure if I can have IVF yet due to my womb being damaged.

The good news was the Endo had only come back minimal and my ovaries are in good working order. This illness has taken so much from me. I went for a promotion at work and did not get it, even though I know I was the best person for the job. They could not say it was my sickness but it's pretty obvious.

Ten weeks on I'm starting to feel ok for the first time in years but I'm so scared it's going to all come back. I'm started to be a little more positive and now feel well enough to make plans for nights out. I actually went on a girls night out on Saturday!

I wish people would understand what us girls go through. Not just the pain we feel but the emotional rollercoaster we all have to ride.

I'm lucky, I've got a fantastic partner who has been amazing and wants to be with me whatever happens!

Hopefully I can continue to feel well for a long time yet! After three operations in twenty-three months I want a break from it all!

Melanie's EndoStory has been viewed 795 times.

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