MEDICS in the North West have pledged to drive forward improvements in the care and treatment of women living with endometriosis, a condition where tissue like the lining of the womb grows in other places in the body, like the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Each month the cells react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding.

Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape.

It can affect women of any age and is a long-term condition that can significantly impact on the quality of the life from those suffering from it.

42, Gemma Williamson-Noyce lives in Kendal and has lived with the effects of endometriosis since she was 19, when she had a twisted cyst removed from her ovary.
Gemma has had a long journey to diagnosis, having had a number of surgeries to remove endometriosis and endometriomas, which are cysts made of endometriosis, eventually leading to a hysterectomy in December last year.

Gemma said: “For over 20 years I have experienced challenges and pain because of endometriosis.

“It not only affected my physical health, but my mental health suffered too,” she said. “I now work with Endometriosis UK as a support group co-lead in Cumbria and want to help others who are going through the same thing I did.”

March is Endometriosis Action Month, and the NHS in the North West is using the opportunity to drive forward improvements in endometriosis care and raise more awareness of the symptoms with the public and clinicians.

Recent research from Endometriosis UK suggests it takes an average of eight years and ten months to be diagnosed with the condition and Dr Paula Cowan, a practising GP working on The Wirral and Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England – North West thinks we can do better.

She said: “As a GP with a special interest in gynaecology, I know just how difficult it can be to diagnose a patient with endometriosis.

“It can present itself in a number of different ways which is why we want to promote the symptoms to both patients, but also to doctors and other healthcare workers.”

“It’s vital that we do more for women suffering from this ‘challenging’ and ‘painful’ condition and ensure we are raising awareness of the symptoms and the options available for treatment so women are seen earlier and helped faster, and don’t have to suffer in pain and alone.”

Amy Yarker, 32, from Liverpool, was diagnosed with endometriosis at 17.

She had difficulties as soon as her periods started and like Gemma, had a cyst removed when she was 17, which is when endometriosis was first found in her pelvis.

Amy said: “There is a stigma that surrounds talking about gynaecological symptoms and what is happening to you when you are younger.

“I know I didn’t discuss what was happening to me with my friends,” she said. “But I had to get comfortable very quickly talking about periods.

“Being an advocate for yourself is so important, you know what is normal to you and that isn’t always normal for someone else.

“If you are suffering or in pain, please go and see your GP.”