Mum-of-one Jessica Clarke, whose first gynaecologist told her she was “too complicated” for him, is consumed by pain every day due to a condition she has been diagnosed with
Jessica Clarke, 27, suffers from Endometriosis, a condition that, just six years ago, she was unaware of. These days the pain consumes her every day, likening the level as close to being in labour.
According to the NHS, “Endometriosis is where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body.”
Symptoms range from severe period pain, pain in your lower tummy and back, extreme tiredness, infertility, pain during or after sex, bloating, pain when going to the toilet and increased anxiety and depression.
Marking the final day of Endometriosis Awareness Month, Jess spoke exclusively to us about how she copes and details her upcoming second surgery for partial bowel removal.
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She shared: “Considering this debilitating condition affects one in 10 women in the UK and leaves me with daily unbearable pain I can only describe as similar to being in labour, there is nowhere near enough awareness.
“I didn’t even know what it was until six years ago, and I am now waiting for my second surgery where it is likely I will have a section of my bowel removed.
“I have experienced many of the common symptoms, but the main symptom and by far the worst for me has been the pain. It is the kind of pain which completely takes my breath away and makes me feel like I want to be knocked out with a baseball bat to give me some respite.
“I have visited A&E a few times when I felt like someone was ripping out my insides but was fobbed off by doctors and told to wait for a specialist appointment.
“I was living in Australia when I was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2021 and had my first surgery within a year of my diagnosis. I was very fortunate to be seen so quickly as, according to Endometriosis UK, it takes the average endowarrior 7.5 years to be given an initial diagnosis.
“An internal ultrasound revealed that my left ovary was stuck to my fallopian tube, which was further stuck to my uterus and bowel. My gynaecologist at the time described my organs as ‘sandwiched’ together.
“After my surgery, I was told that my left fallopian tube wouldn’t work anymore, which could lead to difficulty getting pregnant. I was informed that the only way to know would be to start trying. This forced my husband and me to think about our future and made us realise how much we wanted our own family, and how much we had taken the idea for granted up until this point.
“We were keen to start trying to get pregnant and prepared ourselves for a potential long and emotional road ahead, which could have involved IVF. After a move back to the UK to be closer to family, we were over the moon to find out that I was pregnant 10 months after my surgery and we are now proud parents to a beautiful baby boy.
“I had a short break from my symptoms while I was pregnant but they came back with a vengeance a few months after I gave birth. I am now going through the NHS process in the UK and an MRI in December revealed I have a 4cm cyst and severe endometriosis along my bowel.
“I have been referred to a more specialised consultant as my first gynaecologist said I was ‘too complicated’ for him. I have been advised to have another surgery where they will likely remove a section of my bowel and I could have a temporary stoma. I have another appointment in the near future where I will be given more information and will discuss my options for having another baby.
“I have always experienced very painful periods from a young age and was told that it is ‘normal’ and that I might have a low pain threshold. I am now 27 years old and I never would have expected this condition to control my life in the way it does.
“From planning my day around using the bathroom, to my low moods affecting my relationship, to worries about my future and fertility, this condition has taken a firm hold on my whole life.
“This condition also comes with increased anger towards the health system for the lack of research and funding into women’s health. There have been more studies on male baldness and erectile dysfunction than there have been on endometriosis. We need more funding, more research and more support.”
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