I'm walking for endo this July to support the 1 in 10 with the disease, who wait on average a shocking 8 years to receive a diagnosis in the UK! That's too long! This charity is really close to my heart with the disease affecting myself, my cousin and so many other women. 

Endometriosis (pronounced en- doh – mee – tree – oh – sis) is the name given to the condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body.

Each month these cells react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding. Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape. 

In the UK, around 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth are currently living with the condition, regardless of race or ethnicity. Endometriosis can affect you from puberty to menopause, although the impact may be felt for life.

In endometriosis, cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body. These cells react to the menstrual cycle each month and also bleed. However, there is no way for this blood to leave the body. This can cause inflammation, pain and the formation of scar tissue.

Endometriosis can have a significant impact on a person's life in a number of ways, including:

• Chronic pain
• Fatigue/lack of energy
• Depression/isolation
• Problems with a couple’s sex life/relationships
• An inability to conceive
• Difficulty in fulfilling work and social commitments

Please consider supporting my challenge by making a donation. Endometriosis UK relies heavily on donations to support their work which consists of volunteer led support services including a helpline, web chat and face to face support groups, information provision, awareness raising as well as campaigning and lobbying for change and better treatment options.