Lauren Wilson RVN is a Registered Veterinary Nurse at Westport Veterinary Clinic and a volunteer for Endometriosis UK. In this article, Lauren shares her personal experience of living with endometriosis, explains what the condition is, and highlights how workplaces can better support those affected by this often misunderstood and invisible illness.
March is endometriosis awareness month, a month that means a lot to myself and others that suffer from endometriosis. Many people suffer in silence due to the stigma around discussing menstrual health conditions within the workplace but I am on a mission to show that support is out there!
One in ten women and those assigned female at birth in the UK suffer with Endometriosis1. It is the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK, which affects 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth – a similar number of those affected by diabetes. Current statistics show that the average time to be diagnosed in the UK takes eight years and ten months from your first GP visit1.
So what is endometriosis? Endometriosis occurs when cells that are similar to the ones lining the uterus are found elsewhere in the body2. The cells are able to grow and change in relation to the hormones during the menstrual cycle which causes inflammation and pain. Endometriosis is most commonly found on the lining of the pelvis and can also occur in the ovaries and on other pelvic organs. It is also important to remember that symptoms can vary from person to person and the amount of endometriosis that is present does not always correspond to the amount of pain and discomfort that is felt. The most classic symptoms include:
- Pelvic pain
- Painful periods that interfere with everyday life
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Pain during or after sex
- Painful bowel movements and/or urination2.
From the age of 14, I have suffered with heavy periods and pelvic pain making my teenage years a challenge to navigate school and social activities whilst being in debilitating pain. Years of battling with my GP for investigations always led to being told “it can’t be that bad” and “no one else complains about their periods”. My endometriosis diagnosis didn’t occur until 2021 where I went private and had my first laparoscopy – the only way at present to be diagnosed. Waking up from the surgery and being told the findings is a moment I’ll never forget. The mix of emotions was high as having your symptoms and pain validated was a huge relief but also having to process that you have a life long condition makes the experience conflicting and one that feels odd to celebrate. I had my second surgery in 2025 due to my condition worsening and requiring further surgery to remove the reoccurring endometriosis and correct an adhesion that was present. Even though I knew what was causing my pain the second time round, I was still fearful that nothing would be found to justify how I was feeling.
My current employer is an endometriosis friendly employer, which saw us become the first veterinary practice in the UK to sign up. Opening up to my employer was a difficult decision as I knew it may not have been well received but I am grateful to have been met with positivity and motivation to change. I spent so long battling with my GPs that I didn’t want to be met with the same disinterest or gaslighting I had experienced since being a teenager. Having the opportunity to discuss the condition and what it was like living with it highlighted to management how my day to day work can impact my physical health and as the disease is an invisible illness, it may not always be easy to identify when I need help. I personally find that I have days where my condition is unpredictable where I can start off fine but struggle as the day goes on. Being able to identify my own triggers and physical limitations can allow me to communicate effectively with my team and ensure I can receive appropriate support when required.
Seeing and experiencing how difficult it has been to gain access to support has motivated me to raise awareness to ensure others are listened to. Having conversations about menstrual and women’s health will help to break down barriers and taboos around these kinds of subjects. My one regret is not seeking out resources sooner to help me navigate the pre and post diagnosis. Knowing that there were charities and support groups in my local area would have helped my mental health greatly during this time. By talking now, I hope that the next generation can be inspired to advocate for themselves and changes can be made for the better!
References
- Endometriosis Facts and Figures (n.d). https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/endometriosis-facts-and-figures
- What is Endometriosis? (n.d). https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/what-is-endometriosis
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