A woman from Oswaldtwistle has opened up about her struggle with a condition that she claims is more painful than childbirth and kidney stones.
Georgia Florentine, 27, suffers with endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Georgia was officially diagnosed in 2020 but has suffered with the pain and complications associated with the condition since her periods began.
She said: “My problems started as soon as I began my periods aged 12.
“My periods were really heavy and painful and made me feel poorly. Doctors assured me this was normal and they would settle with time.”
Georgia said she experiences, heavy bleeding, migraines, intense pain and vomiting.
The pain is sometimes so intense that it leads to a hospital visit.
“I would often end up in A&E each month in agony only to be told I’m fine and that it is all normal,” said Georgia.
“I once cried to the doctor begging him to take me serious saying I can’t live my life this way but he just sent me home.”
She has given birth and passed kidney stones, both without a lot of pain relief, but Georgia says the pain from endometriosis is worse than both of these experiences.
She said: “When I’m on my period I feel physically poorly it’s literally like having the flu whilst in labour.
“The pain and suffering does not end ones the bleeding stops. Most days I can wake up in agony and have to smile through it.
“I often down play my pain to make people feel comfortable but this condition is hell.”
As well as the physical pain, Georgia’s condition has also impacted her mental health.
She said: “I can’t walk most days and have to be off work.
“I gave university and my mental health has really suffered. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”
Georgia said it was difficult to get an official diagnosis from doctors and assumed the pain was “all part of being a woman.”
She said: “As the years went on my periods were still awful I would be off school and had really low iron due to blood loss.
“I still trusted my doctor and assumed it was all part of being a woman so carried on my life with heavy bleeding.”
Georgia said she only started to realise that this was more than just regular period pain at the age of 21 when she started trying for a baby.
She received an officially diagnosis of endometriosis, which has been linked to fertility issues, when a relative booked a private consultation.
Georgia said: “It wasn’t until I tried getting pregnant aged 21 that I thought maybe there could be an issue.
“I had two miscarriages before eventually falling pregnant with my son.
“My periods started quickly after giving birth and they came back even worse which again I was assured was all normal after pregnancy.
“It wasn’t until my grandma paid for a private consultation with a gynaecologist that I was taken seriously.”
Georgia has since had keyhole surgery to help alleviate the pain but says it hasn’t helped and is currently “worse than ever”.
She now wants to raise more awareness of the condition, which affects 1 in 10 women according to the NHS.
Georgia recently embarked on an eight mile walk raising £370 for charity Endometriosis UK.
She said: “I did the walk to try get the conversation going about endometriosis as not many people in my life knew about it or understood what we go through.
“I also want there to be more compassion more conversations around the condition as I don’t want other women to get treated like I did.
“Don’t suffer in silence and wait years to find out what’s wrong. If you’re in pain on your period and paracetamol and ibuprofen don’t take it away, or you can’t go to work because of it or school that’s not normal.
“You should beg to be heard and seen.”
According to the NHS, endometriosis can affect women of any age, including teenagers.
It's a long-term condition that can have a significant impact on your life, but there are treatments that can help.
The symptoms of endometriosis can vary but can include:
- pain in your lower tummy or back (pelvic pain) – usually worse during your period
- period pain that stops you doing your normal activities
- pain during or after sex
- pain when peeing or pooing during your period
- feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea, or blood in your pee or poo during your period
- difficulty getting pregnant
You may also have heavy periods. You might use lots of pads or tampons, or you may bleed through to your clothes.
For some women, endometriosis can have a big impact on their life and may sometimes lead to depression.
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