The singer opened up about her diagnosis, saying she thought it was all in her head at first
Former X-Factor star, Ella Henderson, has opened up about her recent diagnosis, calling it “devastating” but “validating”. Talking about her health online, she revealed she shares the same condition as Love Island’s Molly Mae and Anton Du Beke’s wife, Hannah.
The 29-year-old revealed she has been diagnosed with endometriosis – a painful and debilitating condition which affects around 1 in 10 women across the UK. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside of it.
It is most commonly found in the pelvis, around the ovaries, fallopian tubes and lining of the pelvis. This misplaced tissue can cause inflammation, pain and potentially fertility issues.
Despite some people knowing the main symptoms such as heavy and painful periods, stomach pain and bloating, there are also signs that people don’t know and may brush off as something else. But what are they?
Endometriosis symptoms you may not know about
Common symptoms include:
- Pelvic pain
- Painful periods that interfere with everyday life
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Pain during or after sex
- Painful bowel movements/when having a poo
- Pain when urinating/peeing
- Difficulty getting pregnant – up to 70% of those with endometriosis will be able to get pregnant naturally
- Fatigue, with one or more of the above symptoms
Symptoms you may not think are endometriosis but could be include:
- Leg pain
- Thigh pain
- Brain fog
- Bleeding from the bowel
- Dragging-like sensation around thigh area
- Rib pain
- Back pain
- Depression
- Diarrhea and/or constipation
- Hot flushes
- Shooting pain around bum
- Nausea
Endometriosis 60-second test
If you are not sure whether you have ‘endo’ you can take a 60 second test. You can do this through the Symptom Checker on the Endometriosis UK website.
What are the different types of endometriosis?
Endometriosis UK states there’s 4 different types – and it’s possible to have more than one type. The different types refer to the location, amount and depth of endometrial lesions.
- Peritoneal (superficial) endometriosis – is found mainly on the pelvic peritoneum – a thin film that lines the inner surface of the pelvis and surrounds the pelvic organs.
- Ovarian endometriosis (endometrioma) – is when endometriosis cysts are found in the ovaries.
- Deep endometriosis – is found in locations such as the bladder, bowel and recto-vaginal septum (tissue separating the vagina and the rectum). The lesions of endometriosis are at a deeper level than peritoneal (superficial) endometriosis.
- Extra-pelvic endometriosis – is when endometriosis is found outside of the pelvis, such as the thorax (chest) and caesarean scars.