Women in Basingstoke Share the Story of Endometriosis-As Surveys Call for Improved Care

Symptoms include severe pain, severe menstruation, and infertility.

According to an All-Party Political Group survey of more than 10,000 participants, 58% visited the GP more than 10 times before diagnosis and 53% participated in symptomatic A & E units before diagnosis.

The majority of respondents also mentioned some common knock-on effects of this condition, including adverse effects on mental health, education, and careers, with 35% experiencing a loss of income due to endometriosis. I will.

In addition, about 90% said they wanted access to psychological support, but did not.

Diana Murungi, 35, from Basingstoke, experienced a painful period from the age of 14 and took seven years to finally be diagnosed with endometriosis. Every time she made an appointment with a general practitioner, antibiotics were issued to address stomach pain and high temperature complaints.

Diana realized that she and her husband, Moses, decided to start a family and might have problems when they stopped taking contraceptives-only faced with a serious exacerbation of menstrual cramps.

Diana said: “I went back to the doctor and they started investigating why I was so painful.

“We started looking for a family. I got pregnant naturally at the end of 2011 and had a miscarriage. I got pregnant again at the beginning of 2012 but had another miscarriage. I have a pain. Continued to suffer, the doctor sent me to a gynecologist, and I was diagnosed with endometriosis, my ovarian cyst and uterine myoma common to black women, “Diana said. ..

“We kept trying, but with no success. Our doctor introduced us for fertility treatment. I thought I was naive and would have a fertility treatment and have a baby. I never thought it would be an emotional and painful journey. ”

After doing some research, Diana met with a doctor at the Wessex Fertilization Clinic in Southampton, where she began treatment for IVF. She was excited to get pregnant, but sadly she also lost this baby.

“I felt very lonely. I was lonely and in a dark place. I had to book a time off from work. It was a very, very painful time. To give birth to a baby. All my hopes and dreams have collapsed.

“I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know if my dream baby was born. I didn’t know if I could do it again,” he said.

However, after taking some time to recover, they still had embryos stored in the clinic, so the couple decided to try again.

Unfortunately, Diana had another miscarriage. After so many obstacles, I felt that Diana’s hope of starting a family was completely lost.

“My endometriosis was getting worse,” she said.

“While meeting with a fertility consultant, I also met with a consultant treating uterine fibroids and endometriosis.

“He sensitively explained that the only way I could be relieved was to stop ovulation and remove the ovaries and uterus. It felt like a very big decision.”

Despite experiencing surgery and many more health complications, Diana was ready for another embryo transfer in early 2019, and this time it was successful.

“A five-week scan showed a heartbeat, which proved to be our baby,” recalls Diana.

On November 1, 2019, Diana gave birth to a baby girl called Shiima.

“I will read and investigate my advice for anyone starting IVF or considering fertility treatment. Supporting someone nearby as IVF can be a very painful journey. Be encouraged. Find a clinic that can communicate well with you. Even after the defeat, Wessex Fertility was there and helped me agree with it, “Diana said. ..

Fionula Finan, a 24-year-old NHS administrator also from Basingstoke, met her partner Jack Voller six years ago and became pregnant while taking contraceptives.

Unfortunately, the pregnancy caused a miscarriage, but the couple was keen to start a family.

“I wondered what it was like to leave Jack and have a baby after I had a miscarriage, so in 2015 I decided to stop taking contraceptives and try for my family,” Fionura said. Told.

“After a year of trials, we visited a family doctor who referred us to a gynecologist. Then we were referred to a fertility consultant who provided treatment to help ovulation, but failed. Did.

“After many tests over four years, I was finally diagnosed with polycystic ovary and endometriosis.”

“In December 2019, I was introduced to IVF by the GP. We qualified for NHS-funded IVF and decided that Wessex Fertility was the best clinic for us.

“On March 20, just before the clinic closed, my eggs were collected. I was one of the last patients to collect and freeze my eggs.

“We were really sad, but we also sinned that I was sad at an uncertain time when a pandemic occurred and people were dying. I was about to become a parent, so I felt really sad. Working in a hospital and being at the forefront was sometimes really overwhelming, so I had a panic attack.

“But I focused on the fact that the embryos were frozen, and some were of really good quality. It was a bittersweet time.

“As soon as the clinic reopens, I am very honored to be the first patient to undergo an embryo transfer. Our baby will give birth on February 10, 2021.”