Latest news with #endometriosis
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Ella Henderson reveals endometriosis diagnosis
Pop star Ella Henderson has revealed she has endometriosis and has partnered with a charity to raise awareness of the condition. In a video message on her Instagram account, the multi-platinum selling artist said the last few years had been "a little bit of a rollercoaster" because of her symptoms but she had finally been diagnosed in January. "I've really been struggling, not only with stomach bloating, physical pain but also with my mental health on the basis that I thought at one point this was all just in my head," she said. The 29-year-old, from Tetney in Lincolnshire, said she wanted to share her experience to start "an open conversation" about the condition. Endometriosis causes cells similar to those in the lining of the womb to grow in other parts of the body, leading to severe pain. It affects one in ten women in the UK and takes an average of almost nine years to get a diagnosis, according to Endometriosis UK. Henderson said although her own diagnosis had been "devastating", it had also been "empowering" and she had partnered with the charity to raise awareness. In her video message, she said she was determined to educate herself and get people talking about the condition. "I don't want future generations of women to go through what I did. I know that my situation isn't unique and too many women unnecessarily suffer with undiagnosed endometriosis for far too long," she said. Henderson, who rose to fame on ITV show The X Factor, said speaking to other women and learning to understand the condition had been "crucial". "For me, I really struggled thinking this was just something I was going through," she said. "I want you to know if you are going through this you are not alone." Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, praised Henderson for sharing her experience in such "an open and frank way". "Ella's willingness to share her story will no doubt help others in their diagnosis journey, helping them access the care they need," she said. As well as raising awareness, the charity campaigns to improve education in schools and for healthcare practitioners to be trained to recognise the symptoms. Ms Cox added: "Without education and awareness, those with the disease will continue to face challenges in getting a diagnosis and accessing the right care at the right time, as Ella did." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices More on this story 'We can't stay silent over endometriosis struggle' 'We wait too long for endometriosis diagnoses' New endometriosis pill approved on NHS in England Related internet links Local Democracy Reporting Service Endometriosis UK
BBC News
an hour ago
- Health
- BBC News
Pop star Ella Henderson reveals endometriosis diagnosis
Pop star Ella Henderson has revealed she has endometriosis and has partnered with a charity to raise awareness of the a video message on her Instagram account, the multi-platinum selling artist said the last few years had been "a little bit of a rollercoaster" because of her symptoms but she had finally been diagnosed in January."I've really been struggling, not only with stomach bloating, physical pain but also with my mental health on the basis that I thought at one point this was all just in my head," she 29-year-old, from Tetney in Lincolnshire, said she wanted to share her experience to start "an open conversation" about the condition. Endometriosis causes cells similar to those in the lining of the womb to grow in other parts of the body, leading to severe affects one in ten women in the UK and takes an average of almost nine years to get a diagnosis, according to Endometriosis said although her own diagnosis had been "devastating", it had also been "empowering" and she had partnered with the charity to raise her video message, she said she was determined to educate herself and get people talking about the condition."I don't want future generations of women to go through what I did. I know that my situation isn't unique and too many women unnecessarily suffer with undiagnosed endometriosis for far too long," she who rose to fame on ITV show The X Factor, said speaking to other women and learning to understand the condition had been "crucial"."For me, I really struggled thinking this was just something I was going through," she said."I want you to know if you are going through this you are not alone." Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, praised Henderson for sharing her experience in such "an open and frank way"."Ella's willingness to share her story will no doubt help others in their diagnosis journey, helping them access the care they need," she well as raising awareness, the charity campaigns to improve education in schools and for healthcare practitioners to be trained to recognise the Cox added: "Without education and awareness, those with the disease will continue to face challenges in getting a diagnosis and accessing the right care at the right time, as Ella did." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
CNA
9 hours ago
- Health
- CNA
Living with endometriosis: Women speak out about pain, heavy bleeding, infertility and misdiagnosis
Mojisola Erdt's excruciating menstrual pains began when she was 14 years old. After enduring almost 30 years of worsening symptoms, she underwent a hysterectomy in 2024 to remove her uterus. The senior scientist, 44, had longed to conceive again after her daughter was born in 2016 but suffered multiple miscarriages over the years. The hysterectomy ended that hope. 'It was hard to accept that this is really the end. There was always this small hope that I could still get pregnant and everything would go well,' she said. 'You know how sweet it is to have a child, and you want another one but you can't.' Erdt has Stage 4 endometriosis, the most severe form of the condition. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. It can cause menstrual, pelvic and bowel pain, and in some cases, infertility. She is not alone in this struggle. According to the World Health Organization, endometriosis affects about 190 million women and girls worldwide. In Singapore, about 10 per cent of women of childbearing age have endometriosis and around one-third of them are unable to conceive, said Dr Kelly Loi, an obstetrics and gynaecology (O&G) specialist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. Though prevalent, endometriosis is often overlooked, and many women endure years of agony. As a progressive condition, the delay in diagnosis can lead to more severe symptoms and challenges in family planning. WHEN ENDOMETRIOSIS GOES UNDIAGNOSED Erdt said the pain felt like 'someone stabbing [her] and twisting the knife around'. As her endometriosis progressed, complications arose. Her bowels and right ovary fused to her uterus due to the abnormal growth of her cells, which doctors said resembled 'chewing gum'. Her uterus also swelled to the size of a 16-week pregnancy due to adenomyosis – a condition where tissue that usually lines the uterus grows into the muscle wall. It often accompanies endometriosis, and can cause heavy, painful periods. '[Since my hysterectomy], I'm trying to embrace the health I've regained. I had anaemia, having lost so much blood all the time, and inflammation affecting my joints,' Erdt said. On average, women seek help about two years after symptoms appear, said Dr Ma Li, an endometriosis and reproductive health specialist at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. 'In Asian cultures, we are quite often told that it's normal to have period pain … So a lot of girls try to tolerate the pain as much as they can,' said Dr Ma, who ran the endometriosis clinic at National University Hospital (NUH) from 2015 to 2024. But even when they do seek help, endometriosis may still go undiagnosed. In some cases, doctors miss signs of the condition. Dr Ma added that a common mistake medical practitioners make is performing ultrasound scans only in the uterus and ovaries. She found that in about 80 per cent of cases, endometriosis is found elsewhere in the body, including the bladder, bowels and lungs. Due to limited awareness of the condition among doctors, some patients are also simply prescribed painkillers instead of receiving a proper diagnosis. 'Painkillers just treat the pain. It doesn't treat the disease, so it doesn't stop it from progressing,' she said. COMMMON SYMPTOMS OF ENDOMETRIOSIS These include: Painful menstrual cramps Heavy menstrual periods Bleeding or spotting between periods Pain during or after sex Pelvic pain Lower back pain Discomfort during bowel movements Infertility If you have two or more of these symptoms, consider seeing a gynaecologist or an endometriosis specialist for diagnosis and treatment. There are also resources like KKH's Endometriosis Questionnaire to help you identify and assess endometriosis-associated symptoms. Collapse "DESPERATE AND HOPELESS" Delayed diagnosis can be frustrating. Dr Eleanor Loh, 26, visited six doctors over a decade to find answers for her debilitating menstrual pain. Describing the experience as lonely, the junior doctor said: 'You feel desperate and hopeless when the doctors you see don't know what to do with you, treat you wrongly, or just dismiss you outright.' It wasn't until 2021, after she was posted to Dr Ma's O&G department at NUH, that she was finally diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis. Another patient, Ivy Li, had such severe pain in her right abdomen that appendicitis was suspected and her appendix removed. It turned out that endometriosis was the cause. The 44-year-old recalled others telling her after the surgery: ''It's just removing something that's useless.' But it's still a surgery. You're still undergoing anaesthesia.' Since then, she's had a hormonal intrauterine device inserted into her womb to help reduce the pain and slow the progression of the disease. However, as her adenomyosis worsened, she eventually underwent a hysterectomy at age 42. Dr Loi added that as endometriosis is a progressive disease, initial investigations may not detect any abnormalities. Dr Ma noted that diagnosis is often delayed by an average of seven to eight years. 'The message we want to bring across is that it's not normal to have severe period pain. If you have that, please see a specialist.' THE ROAD TO PARENTHOOD The physical and emotional toll of endometriosis can influence decisions around having children, whether due to infertility or the potential risks associated with pregnancy. As one of the most common causes of infertility, Dr Ma said about 40 per cent of endometriosis patients need fertility treatments, such as in vitro fertilisation, to conceive. She explained that endometriosis can reduce both the quantity and quality of a woman's eggs, leading to 'irreversible damage on fertility'. Said Dr Loi: 'Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility as it can distort pelvic anatomy, affect ovulation, trigger inflammation, and create an un-optimal environment for fertilisation and implantation. 'Removal of the endometriotic tissue and scar tissue often improves symptoms and fertility.' Some women with endometriosis may also fear getting pregnant. 'Getting pregnant would be a huge disruption to our reproductive organs,' said endometriosis sufferer Dr Loh. 'Some literature says endometriosis gets better but you never really know how you react on an individual level. And for us who have gotten some modicum of peace from treatment, taking the risk to potentially disrupt that by wanting a child is something that is not an easy to decision to make.' Dr Ma, however, said it is rare for endometriosis to flare up during pregnancy, as hormonal changes tend to 'quiet' the oestrogen-driven condition's symptoms. Still, she emphasised that pregnancy is not a cure for endometriosis, and that symptoms may return after childbirth. Endometriosis patients with daughters also worry about passing the condition on to them. Li, for instance, has begun monitoring her 14-year-old daughter's health since she started menstruating last year. As for Erdt, the concern lies in how to broach the topic when her now eight-year-old daughter reaches puberty. 'My experience and relationship with having a period affected my [acceptance of] becoming a woman. It was just a very painful, uncomfortable thing … And I'm trying not to pass that frustration onto her.' FIGHTING FOR CHANGE Although awareness of endometriosis has grown, societal and systemic challenges remain. Namira Binte Mohamad Marsudi, who was 28 when diagnosed with Stage 4 endometriosis in 2014, said there's been a shift in the public perception of intense menstrual pain since she began advocating 13 years ago. The founder of non-profit organisation E for Endometriosis said that at the beginning, everyone she spoke to believed such pain was normal. Now, most people recognise that it's not. From the support group's first talk in 2015 with just five attendees, E for Endometriosis has since grown into a network of over 2,000 volunteers, raising awareness and providing support for those impacted by the condition. But the 39-year-old believes there's still a long way to go. 'There is a buzz going on about endometriosis, and people are starting to learn what it is,' she said. 'But it has to be on a constant basis ... if we just let it die down, within just a year, people will start forgetting about it.' This growing awareness, Namira added, needs to extend to the medical field as well. Even among healthcare professionals, there is a 'lack of consensus on what endometriosis truly is', let alone how best to diagnose or treat the condition. 'Raising awareness isn't just about the public. It's also about ensuring that those entrusted with our care are properly equipped with knowledge, empathy, and up-to-date understanding,' she added. Professor Chong Yap-Seng, dean of the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, said that although endometriosis causes 'massive loss of productivity' in women, there have been limited advancements in its treatment. This reflects a larger global issue – the gender health gap, where women often receive inferior healthcare compared with men. He explained that while women live longer than men, they often experience health loss earlier, sometimes as soon as they start their periods. This may be due to conditions associated with menstruation, including anaemia, migraines and endometriosis, which can cause 'significant distress, discomfort and even disability in women'. 'This health loss doesn't necessarily lead to premature mortality [so it's] not taken as seriously or dealt with as efficiently as conditions that are more deadly,' he added, citing cardiovascular diseases and cancer as examples. FROM ENDOMETRIOSIS PAIN TO PURPOSE Despite the challenges, more women are turning their experiences into strength. Li, along with Dr Loh and Erdt, are active volunteers with E for Endometriosis. Li said she is an 'endometriosis warrior' who hopes to help others understand the condition is not 'just in the mind'. Dr Loh is hoping to specialise in endometriosis and aims to create a safe space for patients to share their struggles. During her three-month rotation at the O&G department, she helped treat more than 150 endometriosis patients and could relate to the women's struggles. 'If they have made that step to come and seek help, they deserve to be heard and taken seriously,' she said. Erdt is drawing on her expertise in digital health technology for chronic disease management, and working on an app that tracks endometriosis symptoms. She explained that while recognising the signs is key to proper diagnosis, the challenge lies in women not being aware of the wide range of symptoms or how they evolve over time. 'The strength I find is in the pain I've gone through and just wishing to help so no one needs to go through this alone.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Impact of periods leading some university students to miss six weeks of degree
UK university students miss around six weeks of academic study during their degrees because of the impacts of their menstrual cycle, according to research. Seven in 10 said they feel unable to concentrate on studies or assessments due to period pain, a report from the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) into the 'hidden impact' of menstruation in higher education. Time missed rose to around 11 weeks over the course of a three-year degree for those who have been diagnosed with a menstruation-related illness, such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome. But the survey of students also found that 15% reported having days or weeks during their cycle when they benefit from a mental or physical boost that helps their focus and performance. The report called for 'thoughtful institutional and governmental responses' to an issue affecting half the population, with a recommendation that clearer language is used and explicit references are made to women's health conditions when considering requests for extensions on assignments or time off. Awareness should be raised about the impact of menstruation in the same way as it is for the menopause, with policies, guidelines and action plans to reduce stigma, provide training and signpost support for both staff and students, the report added. Some 950 people in the survey said they had a period in the previous 12 months – the vast majority women, but 1% identifying as transgender men and 1% as non-binary. The report author said, taking into account the participation of a small number of trans men and the fact some women might not menstruate due to taking contraception, they have used the phrases 'people who menstruate' or 'students who menstruate', which they accepted 'may appear clumsy, (but) they most accurately reflect the data'. As part of the same report, 1,571 people, just over half of whom identified as women, were asked about their perceptions of menstrual education and the impact of menstrual cycles and periods. Just over a fifth (22%) of male students said they had received no lessons about menstrual cycles or periods. Women were more likely than men to describe the education on these topics as poor, with the report saying the findings suggest school education 'may be suitable for those who do not have periods but may need to understand them', but that education for women 'could and should be improved'. Rose Stephenson, Hepi director of policy and report author, said: 'The findings from this report demonstrate the hidden impact of periods and menstrual cycles on students' higher education studies. 'This is a particularly serious issue for those who have been diagnosed with menstruation-related illnesses who miss, on average, 11 weeks of academic study over a three-year degree course. 'Menstrual health is not a niche concern. It is a structural issue that deserves thoughtful institutional and governmental responses.' Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, president of Universities UK, said: 'Historically, menstruation has too often been framed as a source of embarrassment, invisibility, or disadvantage. That should no longer be the case. 'This report sets out a challenge to reflect on how systems, policies and assumptions may obscure the realities of those they serve and to shape a more intelligent, humane and responsive academic culture. That is a challenge well worth taking up.' The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIAHE) said: 'It is important that providers clearly explain how students can seek support for any personal circumstances affecting them, including menstruation. 'Recently, we have seen that many providers have been taking a more flexible approach to students' personal circumstances, encouraging self-certification options and focusing on the impact on the student rather than on specific medical diagnoses. 'We hope that this will encourage more students affected by the issues identified in this valuable research to seek appropriate support.' A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'Our new sex and health education guidance makes clear that pupils should learn the facts about the menstrual cycle, as well as the associated physical and emotional changes. 'Universities are expected to support students' wellbeing, attendance and academic performance, and we encourage them to make free period products easily available across campus.'
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
US tennis star Danielle Collins reveals a cameraman tried to forcibly kiss her in early days on tour
US tennis star Danielle Collins has spoken out about the shocking moment when a cameraman tried to forcibly kiss her after a match. Collins, 31, joined the 'Reign with Josh Smith' podcast to reflect on a number of issues - from dealing with misogyny in the sport to her endometriosis diagnosis. Among those discussions, Collins revealed all about the bizarre incident involving herself and a cameraman a few years ago and claimed she reached a 'boiling point'. She explained: 'I had a situation a bunch of years ago when I first got on tour and I was dealing with a cameraman that was very persistent. 'And I remember I came off the court, I lost a long three set match, I'm kind of like cramping, I'm tired and all the things are happening. And this guy goes, 'oh, Danielle, you know, I'm so sorry. Can I give you a hug?' 'And I, I look at my coach, I'm like, 'uh, sure.' So I'm like, standing like this and he goes in to hug me and then all of a sudden he goes in to kiss me and I'm like, 'oh no, oh my gosh.' 'And he literally starts making out with a side of my face. So, yeah, people don't see that like behind the scenes. 'They don't hear the comments that sometimes people make towards you, they don't see the weird men that show up to our events and stalk us and follow us to our hotels. And so, yeah, sometimes you get to a boiling point.' Meanwhile, Collins has previously come under fire for her feud with World No. 3 Iga Swiatek - who she recently fell to a defeat against at Wimbledon. Collins had previously labelled Swiatek as 'fake' after they faced each other in the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics. Collins retired from the match in the third set because of an abdominal injury, and ripped Swiatek for being 'insincere' about her injury when they spoke on the court after the match, she said. 'There's a lot that happens on camera. And there are a lot of people with a ton of charisma ... (who) are one way on camera and another way in the locker room,' Collins told reporters after, via AP. 'I don't need the fakeness.' It drew criticism from tennis fans and now Collins has opened up on the misogyny which she's faced due to her outspoken nature. 'When somebody says that, 'Danielle Collins is a b***h.' I kind of just take it as a compliment because so many of the women that I love and respect have been labeled as a 'b***h,' and they're a bada** woman. There are women that get s*** done. 'There are women that go after their dreams. There are women that are assertive, powerful, hardworking and they are people that I strive to be. 'So I feel like being a bitch can actually be kind of like a good thing because it also means you're not afraid to back down when someone's being a jerk.
