FERMANAGH woman Bella-Lucia Henderson has finally received a diagnosis of endometriosis after suffering in pain for several years.

She explained her journey to diagnosis to The Impartial Reporter, and said: “My pain started when I was about 16 as I had constant discomfort, I never had much energy, and my immune system seemed to be bad as I was always sick.

“My mental health has suffered badly due to this. I was always in and out of the GP.

“I realised it could have been endometriosis when I was around 17, due to talking to a lady about my symptoms.

“She told me I should definitely be investigated for endometriosis, as she also had the condition, and had been suffering a lot already from it. “

The difficulty of endometriosis can be that the condition is only diagnosable through surgery.

Bella said: “Scans do not show endometriosis, as the only way for it to be diagnosed is through a laparoscopy. The cause of endometriosis is still uncertain, but factors such as hereditary problems, diet, trauma and stress may possibly be linked.”

Bella is now 23 and she had her surgery less than a fortnight ago which confirmed she has endometriosis, but this surgery was part of a much longer ordeal.

She said: “It took around six years to have a proper diagnosis, when I had insisted for years that I had endometriosis.

“If I hadn’t insisted on laparoscopy, then I would still be in the same situation now. The laparoscopy that I had on September 3 confirmed the endometriosis.”

The Boho woman was adamant she had the condition and did thorough research into the condition to determine whether she had it: “I did lots of research on the condition and it seemed like I knew more about it than my gynaecologist.”

When Bella finally had surgery, she was relieved that medical professionals were taking the condition seriously.

She said: “The gyno surgeon that performed the operation was great, as he took me seriously, and was relieved I’d been put forward for it.

“I was told if it had been left for another five years then it could have been very bad meaning possible complications with becoming pregnant in the future.”

Bella was critical those who are ‘close-minded’ when it comes to women’s health.

She said: “It’s so important that women of all ages listen to their bodies, as if they feel something is wrong, there most likely is.

“I feel there needs to be more support for women with this condition, as people still seem to be rather close-minded when it comes to women’s health. This doesn’t help women, and many suffer in silence.

“Women shouldn’t have to push for the answers they are entitled to, and it also shouldn’t take years to get those answers.”