I began having periods eight years ago when i was aged 11. They were heavy and really painful from the start and when I would complain to my mum she would give me several Ibuprofen and that would be the end. Sometimes it was enough to make the pain bearable, other times I may as well of just taken Smarties as they would of had the same effect!!

My periods gradually got worse and worse, but I just put up with it thinking that everyone else did, so why couldn't I just put up with it too? I remember sitting in lessons at school feeling so drained and sleepy where the pain had just taken all the energy out of me. I had a weekend job too which I loved, and the pain was so bad one time that I passed out and had to be sent home. I told my Nan it was because of the pain, but she said it must of been something else (I was suffering from depression at the time due to the death of a very close friend, and the breakdown of my parents marriage due to my dad being very ill). Again I just carried on putting up with it...

The final straw came several months ago. I had gone to a friend's house to catch up with him after him being away for two years and I was sexually assaulted by him. Eventually my close friend Sharon got this information out of me, and as we work closely with the local sexual health unit she phoned straight away for an appoinment for me. I arrived at my appointment feeling nervous and not wanting to tell anyone what happened, the nurse was lovely though, sorted me out with STI testing, chatted to me and then asked about my periods. When I told her about my periods she immediately booked me in to see the consultant working at the unit. I saw him the next day and he was so helpful, and gave me a questionnaire to fill in. I scored 28/32 which showed him that endo was the problem for me. He put me on Cilest (COC pill) and I have been taking it for a month now. He said that in the future I'll be able to take the pills back to back meaning I won't have a bleed for a while which for me is a total blessing!!

My bleeding has got better, and although I'm still in a lot of pain it has improved greatly! I am due a review appointment in a few months to see what the next stage for me will be. My advice to anyone with painful, heavy periods is to get to your nearest sexual health clinic ASAP! They see this so often and know what to do for each individual woman coming through the doors. You don't need to put up with this :)

Update July 2010

Just thought I would update you all...

Cilest seemed to be causing me a few mood problems so I spoke to another health professional at work who suggested I try Cerazette. I've been taking it for fourteen days and so far so good! My period lasted three days (although some women find their periods stop) and it was very light with minimal pain!

I still can't believe something so simple can make such a massive difference and I'm glad I got help! Just wish I had done it sooner!

Samantha's EndoStory has been viewed 689 times.

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