In February I had key hole surgery after 12 years of complaining about an endless list of symptoms that I had no idea could be linked. I finally received my diagnosis for endometriosis and adenomyosis.

Endometriosis is a disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows and bleeds outside of the uterus.

This year, the NHS listed endometriosis in its top 20 most painful diseases and it’s thought that around 1 in 10 women suffer with it. But due to the lack of research invested in women’s health, very little is known about it and there is no cure. In fact, so little is known that it takes on average 8 years to receive a diagnosis in the UK.

Endometriosis affects the whole body with just some of the common symptoms being chronic fatigue, headaches, leg pain, painful sex, bloating, brain fog, infertility, heavy bleeding, bleeding outside of your period and severe abdominal pain. It can affect women very differently, some may experience no noticeable symptoms while others struggle through daily life. There have been many times I have fallen to the floor bent over in pain unable to stand. I told my doctor if my eyes were closed and I didn’t know better I’d think someone was stabbing me repeatedly. Many have described their pain as worse than childbirth.

So much needs to be done to create change and it starts with awareness and funding. Since my diagnosis I have been telling all my female friends and colleagues about the disease and encouraging everyone to investigate unusual symptoms and pain and fight to be heard by their doctor.

So despite my ongoing struggle with chronic fatigue, which has been significantly worse since the operation, I will be taking part in Walk For Endo walking 8,000 steps a day in July (1k for every year it takes on average to receive a diagnosis in the UK) to raise money and awareness. While to some this may seem easy, those close to me will know how much I’ve struggled to find the energy to get through the day recently. I also have a desk based job that means my average daily step count is 4,000 (I’m embarrassed to say it’s this low). So this will be a challenge for me. I have bought myself a fitness watch to help me track every step and I will keep the page updated with my progress.

Please help me to raise money to create change.