Niamh Robbins, 24, from Strensall has endometriosis, an incurable condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body.

Now she is calling for increased awareness and more funding for sufferers of the condition.

Endometriosis can cause severe pain, heavy or irregular periods, fatigue, bowel and bladder problems and, in some cases, infertility.

Niamh said she’s received amazing support from friends ahead of further surgery (Image: Supplied)

It can be known to take a long time to diagnose and Niamh said her diagnosis didn’t happen until she was 20 after scheduled keyhole surgery.

She said: “The pain started at puberty – I developed the same as everyone around me – only I hadn’t started my period.

“My friends complained of cramps, so I thought this must be normal and my period was just taking its time.”

When her periods arrived at nearly 17, she said the pain worsened every month and said GPs told her it was likely to be irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Niamh said this caused her to question if she was making up all her symptoms.

She said: “Throughout college, I had endless appointments, tests, scans, endoscopies and colonoscopies.

“All tests ran normal, so GPs would refer me to the accident and emergency department, and I would be sent home with IBS.”

Niamh said as doubts over her symptoms came in from other sources including friends and family, she started her own online research.

She said: “I found endometriosis and pushed the GP for a gynaecology referral.

“I went through months more tests, scans and referrals before the word ‘endometriosis’ was even mentioned.

“Surgery is the only way to diagnose it, which means it can be up to a decade before it’s discovered – lesions can appear normal through tests, MRI and CT scans.”

Niamh said she knew she wanted to have children, her career involves their care, and she said learning that endometriosis could cause infertility was devastating.

She said: “I consulted a fertility clinic in Leeds and had all the tests to make it possible to freeze my eggs.

“The results said my hormone levels were too low and my womb is too fragile to carry a child.

“I was devastated.”

Niamh, said following the diagnostic laparascopy surgey at aged 20, extensive endometriosis was found to be coating her bowel, pelvis, surrounding nerves and muscles.

She said: “My pain was true – I wasn’t lying.

“My colleagues, friends and family were amazing throughout my recovery, and I couldn’t have done it without them.

“But this surgery wasn’t the end of it, it will continue to spread and there is no cure.

“Endometriosis is fed from hormones and can produce its own hormones to feed from, but menopause can slow the process.

“At 21 years old, I was put through induced menopause which was physically and mentally traumatic.

“I’m now 24 years old, and I’m yet to have further surgeries for endometriosis that has continued to spread.”

Registered charity Endometriosis UK said the chronic condition impacts on the physical and mental health of one in 10 women and those assigned female at birth in the UK and that there is no dedicated funding available.

Niamh said something needs to change and she wants to help make that change happen.

She is running an event for the charity on Saturday, March 7 at The Ship Inn in The Village, Strensall from 12pm to 3pm, with stalls and a raffle.

For more information go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/endometriosis-uk-reg-charity-486805