Fashion blogger’s shocking photos reveal the reality of living with endometriosis – as she pleads with others to get bad period pains checked
THESE pictures show the shocking affect endometriosis can have on a woman's body.
Thessy Kouzoukas, 27, shared the images on her Instagram to prove the agonising condition is "no joke".
The co-owner of Australian fashion brand Sabo Skirt said she has been "sent into menopause" after treatment stopped the production of female sex hormones in her body.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition which occurs when tissue which behaves like the lining of the womb is found outside of the womb - in areas of the body including the ovaries, Fallopian tubes, the abdomen and the bladder.
Thessy shared an update on her condition after suffering a ruptured ovarian cyst.
She wrote: "This is quite shocking to people. This is endometriosis.
"The left is my stomach three weeks after a ruptured cyst (five weeks ago).
"The right is me now, on a drug called synarel that has stopped all my hormones and sent me into menopause at the age of 27."
Thessy said she never intended to share the photos online but wanted to raise awareness of her condition, which affects about two million women in the UK, and let them know they are not alone.
She is now preparing for a trip to Greece for an operation to treat the endometriosis, which she says will take more than seven hours.
WOMB WORRIES What is endometriosis? What are the symptoms and why do some women need a hysterectomy? Here's all you need to know
Often surgery to treat endometriosis involves removing the scar tissue and abnormal womb lining from the abdomen.
Thessy urged anyone who is worried they may have the condition to see their doctor.
She added: "Endo is no joke.
"Please, spread the word about endo.
"And If you know anyone with bad period pain please tell them to get checked for this.
"And to my girls with endo... you're not alone."
Synarel is a drug that is used to treat endometriosis.
It is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist - which means it works by reducing the production of oestrogen in body.
Oestrogen encourages endometriosis tissue to grow and shed.
By limiting the production of oestrogen the amount of endometriosis tissue produced by the body may be reduced.
But for Thessy that comes at the cost of an early menopause.
A woman is considered to be in menopause when they have not had a menstrual cycle for 12 months – meaning she is coming to the end of her reproductive years.
Menopause is triggered when the female body no longer produces sex hormones, including oestrogen.
Thessy post has been liked more than 8,000 times and received hundreds of comments, many from other girls suffering with endometriosis.
Laura_arual26 commented: "Thank you so much for posting this.
"I've had endo diagnosed since I was 17 and it's been such an incredible struggle."
WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?
Endometriosis is a chronic condition which occurs when tissue which behaves like the lining of the womb is found outside of the womb – in areas of the body including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the abdomen and the bladder.
The exact cause of the condition isn’t known, but it’s thought it could be hereditary or due to environmental factors – namely the presence of dioxins in the environment.
Endometriosis can sometimes cause damage to the fallopian tubes or ovaries, leading to fertility problems.
Other complications can include painful ovarian cysts and adhesions – areas of tissue which can fuse organs together.
Symptoms:
- painful or heavy periods
- pain during and following sex
- bleeding between periods
- pain in the lower abdomen
- difficulty conceiving
- fatigue
- discomfort going to the toilet
How can it affect fertility?
In some cases, endometriosis can leave a woman infertile.
If the abnormal tissue is left untreated it can cause damage and scarring to the womb and other parts of the female reproductive system.
If the damage is severe enough, it may mean a woman will be unable to conceive.
Treatment:
There is no cure for endometriosis, but the symptoms can be managed.
Some women are prescribed pain medications that target inflammation.
Others are given hormonal treatments to limit the production of oestrogen, which encourages the abnormal tissue to grow.
However, some women opt to have a hysterectomy to completely rid them of the pain.
According to NHS guidelines, a hysterectomy – an operation to remove the womb – is rare, and usually only performed on women for whom other treatments haven’t work, and who have decided to not have any more children.
MOST READ IN HEALTH
And ecclinton wrote: "I know this all too well.
"Have suffered with endo for over 20 years.
"I had to get a large section of my bowel removed last year due to it - after already having two other surgeries previously.
"Was also in hospital for a week. I will be thinking of you and wishing you such a speedy and healthy recovery. It's such an awful disease."
The exact cause of endometriosis isn't known, but it's thought it could be hereditary or due to environmental factors - namely the presence of dioxins in the environment.
Endometriosis can sometimes cause damage to the Fallopian tubes or ovaries, leading to fertility problems.
Other complications can include painful ovarian cysts and adhesions - areas of tissue which can fuse organs together.
Symptoms of endometriosis can vary, but the most common include painful or heavy periods, pain during and following sex, bleeding between periods, pain in the lower abdomen and difficulty conceiving.
Endometriosis can also cause sufferers to be constantly tired, and experience discomfort when using the toilet.
THE ALL-PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP ON WOMEN'S HEALTH REPORT
According to the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women’s Health many women are often dismissed by GPs as imagining their symptoms.
It found about 40 per cent of those with endometriosis visit their doctor ten times before they are referred to a specialist.
The report noted for 10 per cent of women it takes 15 years of seeking help to become diagnosed.
The group interviewed 2,600 women who had suffered with the chronic condition and produced a 51-page report.
Paula Sherriff, the MP for Dewsbury, who chaired the all-party group, said: "The fact that almost 50 per cent of women did not feel that they were treated with dignity and respect is appalling."
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