Oldham nurse: Endometriosis is a "true disability"

Pictured left to right: Anna Hughes, Dr Anita Sharma (South Chadderton Medical Centre) and Gillian Hall

An Oldham woman who endured stomach bloating, numerous hospital treatments and finding herself in a bath full of blood, has turned her suffering from endometriosis into a career in nursing and a determination to help others with the crippling condition.

Anna Hughes’ monthly cycle had always proved painful but following the birth of her children, her condition worsened to the point where bleeding was embarrassingly regular and operations to first remove her appendix and then to tackle fused ovaries became necessary.

But the 39-year-old is now determined to raise awareness of endometriosis and has teamed-up with women’s health campaigner Dr Anita Sharma to make women AND men more sympathetic to the condition.

Ten per cent of women worldwide have endometriosis and it is the UK’s second biggest gynaecological problem, affecting more females than diabetes. Its causes are unknown and with varying symptoms, it can take as long as seven years to diagnose.

One of the most heart-breaking results of the condition is that it can prevent pregnancy – and Anna believes that as a mum of a boy and girl that “even though I am still at an age when I can have children, I am more fortunate than other women. Sometimes it can get so bad and you are really limited in what you can do. But yes, it did make me become a nurse, so that I could make a difference.”

South Chadderton mum Gillian Hall has had equally difficult physical experiences but along with Anna and Dr Sharma, she now wants to highlight the mental health pressures and perceived unfairness shown to sufferers. Said Gillian: “Even though some people questioned how I could even be standing up because of the pain, others have told me 'it is all in my head'. Yet I lost a whole year of work, nearly lost my flat and lived on just £70 a week. It needs to be recognised as a true disability; it is so debilitating.”

Dr Sharma is striving to enable those living with endometriosis to get prompt, effective treatment. The South Chadderton GP and author of award-winning book “Gynaecology in Primary Care: A Practical Guide”, said: “It is so important to get an early diagnosis to prevent further pain and stop dangerous cells from adhering to other organs. I am pushing for anyone with symptoms – if they have had a scan or not – to be seen by a specialist within two weeks.

I think people had probably heard of the condition but until the likes of Louise Redknapp highlighted their suffering, few people knew what it was. We need to raise awareness and our surgery will be raising money for charities who tackle endometriosis. But there is no substitute for hearing first-hand the suffering and indeed the fortitude of women facing this most challenging condition.”

Dr Gaity Ahmad, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, and Lead Endometriosis Centre at the Royal Oldham Hospital said: “I agree with Gillian and Anna that endometriosis is not fully understood with considerable delay in diagnosis. Women are expected to put up with pain. The pain associated with endometriosis can affect your quality of life and thus impacting your mental health. Physical activity is shown in general to help improve mental well- being although a direct correlation to endometriosis related pain is yet to be established.

Most of all, I would encourage women to seek help from their GP and be persistent in asking to be a treated by a consultant with a special interest in Endometriosis.”

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. To learn more about symptoms and treatment, visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis/

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