'My GP said to me, “You know your body best”’
Shazia had suffered with heavy periods for years before being diagnosed with endometriosis
“The best thing you can do for yourself is take the time to really know what your body’s doing and why,” says Shazia, 40, from Hertfordshire.
“I’d had very painful, heavy periods since I was 14, and when I was 20, my GP said, ‘Let’s get you checked out’ .”
Shazia was sent for a pelvic scan because the doctor thought she was suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome, but it showed that her uterus and ovaries were healthy.
“It wasn’t until I was 25, when I went back to the GP and said, ‘Look, something is really not right,’ that I had some more tests done. Then I had a year’s worth of trying various pills.”
Eventually, Shazia was diagnosed with endometriosis, thanks to a GP who specialised in women’s health. Her first surgery took place at 26; she had another op at 35 and her third last year.
“I ended up with a great GP who was well versed in the condition,” Shazia says. “She would say to me, ‘If you are concerned, you know your body better than anyone, so why don’t we investigate?’ I’m really fortunate.”
At its worst, the endometriosis, which Shazia describes as “aggressive”, was causing her to have painful periods every two weeks that lasted almost all that time. “Pain management is a huge thing. I’d have my TENS machine, heat patches, hot water bottles and painkillers. The fatigue and pain mean that your entire routine can collapse.”
Shazia recommends keeping a journal of symptoms, and if someone suspects they have the condition, to ask a GP for an investigation. “Always say, ‘I know my body well, these are the things I’m experiencing – it could be endometriosis.’ ”
I got a great GP well versed in the condition