“I have always had very painful periods. My flow is very heavy and the pain in my back is so strong I can barely get out of bed some days. The process of being diagnosed with Endometriosis has been long and difficult. At first when my dad took me to the doctor, they didn’t believe me – I remember they spoke only to him, as if I wasn’t there. He explained how I would lie in bed groaning, and sometimes faint. They told me to take paracetamol. Eventually I went on the pill which helped with my symptoms, but it made me gain weight, and I didn’t feel like myself. It took years to get a referral to an Endometriosis clinic, and I still haven’t had the surgery I need. Now I work long hours in the lab. There’s a lot of standing up, and when you’re in the middle of an experiment you can’t just take a break. I always have to balance taking strong painkillers that make me feel nauseous and a bit cloudy, with being in too much pain to function. Some days I just can’t go into work, but I’ve never told my boss. I don’t think he would understand.”

What can Martha’s lab do to support her?

Check to see the solution