Rhiannon Bending, Becki Elliott and Louise Jarvis all live in Wales, in what is probably a 25-mile radius. But they say they’ve all experienced completely different attitudes, treatments and care for the same disorder.

Endometriosis affects 1.5 million women in the UK, but with little funding into research and education, it takes nine years on average for Welsh women to be diagnosed.

Some myths still exist about treatment – pregnancy or hysterectomy is not a cure for endometriosis. But two of these women say that’s what they’ve been told.

Becki complained to her GP when she first noticed endometriosis symptoms. She was referred to a gynaecologist straightaway and says they “have been brilliant.” Her endometriosis is extensive and she has a temporary colostomy bag, but is happy with her treatment. She lives in Cardiff.

Rhiannon says her doctors didn’t believe the amount of pain she was in and she went to a private hospital in Swansea to find answers. She lives in Penarth and was being seen by medics in Caerphilly, where her mum lives.

Louise would faint on a regular basis because of the pain. When she was at the end of her tether she dropped her trousers in the GP’s office to prove how bad things were.

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