'I was diagnosed with endometriosis by chance'

A woman has recounted how her endometriosis was diagnosed by chance after a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy.

Zoë Armstrong, from Brislington, Bristol, said she had just assumed her bad period pains were an untreatable problem.

"Before I was diagnosed, I was referred for a scan, and the lady doing my scan told me it was just 'being a woman', which made me feel really stupid," she said.

Her diagnosis came during emergency surgery to remove a fallopian tube after the ectopic pregnancy.

Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those in the lining of the uterus grow in other parts of the body.

It can lead to heavy periods and severe pain and is considered a chronic health condition.

The charity Endometriosis UK says the condition is hard to diagnose, and it takes an average of 7.5 years to get a diagnosis.

Speaking to BBC Radio Bristol's John Darvall, Zoë said: "I always had heavy periods and pain, but I thought it was the way it was.

"Nobody talks about it, and you do feel like I had to suck it up. I had no idea what was going on.

"It's not just period pain that you get. It affected my bladder and going to the toilet was painful too. You don't think this stuff is related."

'Push for diagnosis'

Ms Armstrong said she would encourage other women to "go with your gut" when asking doctors for a diagnosis.

"You have to trust your instinct and push with the doctor, just get on those lists," she said.

Despite having one fallopian tube removed, she is now mother to a two-year-old, who she "absolutely loves".

She had keyhole surgery in December, which cut out the endometriosis in her bowel, uterus and behind both ovaries, but has been told the only way to remove it completely would be a hysterectomy.

Her focus now is on dealing with the chronic pain of the condition.

"I work from home, and will sit with water bottles on my front and back," she said.

"I have a device which is an electronic pulse that goes through my body to stop the cramping. I have to electrocute myself, which is insane."

Ms Armstrong is planning on walking 10km (6.2 mile) from her home to the ward in Southmead where she was treated, on 25 January, to raise money for Endometriosis UK, just eight weeks after her surgery.