Latest news with #endometriosis
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
X Factor star reveals she's been diagnosed with debilitating condition and had surgery after years of pain
X FACTOR favourite has revealed she secretly underwent surgery after being diagnosed with a painful health condition that left her suffering for years. The singer, who rose to fame on the hit ITV talent show, bravely opened up about her hidden health battle - telling fans she was left in 'chronic pain' before finally getting answers from doctors. 5 Ella Henderson, who shot to fame on The X Factor in 2012, has been diagnosed with endometriosis - a condition that affects 1 in 10 women and can cause intense pelvic pain, fatigue, and fertility issues. The 29-year-old revealed she kept her agony private for years before finally undergoing secret surgery to manage the condition. Taking to Instagram, she told fans: "After years of struggling with confusing and challenging health problems including stomach bloating, bowel pain and heavy periods, plus countless GP appointments leading to scans, tests and the feeling that maybe the pain was all in my head, I was officially diagnosed with Endometriosis in January this year. "The revelation came after a laparoscopy, which found severe endometriosis behind my uterus and scar tissue affecting my bladder and bowel. "For those who are unfamiliar with this condition (just like I was only months ago) - endometriosis occurs when cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body. "The diagnosis was a difficult one to swallow but on the other hand it feels validating and empowering. It meant I wasn't imagining things after all, and 1 could finally find a way forward and take control of my body. "My long journey to an endometriosis diagnosis is not unique. It takes on average up to 9 years in the UK, which for many like me, can put an immense mental and physical toll on you. "Living in chronic pain, not being believed, and constant misdiagnosis led to periods of depression, isolation and anxiety. If health practitioners had recognised my endometriosis symptoms sooner, I might all that have been spared. "Although it took a long time (like many women out there) to finally get a definitive diagnosis, it has allowed me to receive appropriate and life-changing support. Which, in my case, was surgery, that so far helped to significantly reduce my symptoms. "Unfortunately, there is no actual cure for endometriosis, So ongoing management will likely be part of my life, whether that's through lifestyle changes, pain management, or other treatments. More research is still needed to understand the condition and ultimately find a cure. "Having now officially become among the one in 10 women in the UK with endometriosis, l am so aware of how many aspects of my life were significantly being impacted. "As a teenager, I remember there were times I missed school due to severe period pain and fatigue. And more recently, I've needed time off work due to health issues which I've found difficult to explain. "I love my job and feel so lucky and grateful to be able to do what I do, so the thought of cancelling shows is something l've battled with. "I often pushed through intense pain just to maintain appearances, not wanting to be judged or let anyone down including myself. "So why am I telling you all this? Put imply, I don't want future generations of women to go through what I did. I know that my situation isn't unique, and too many women unnecessarily suffer with undiagnosed endometriosis for far too long. "That's why I am partnering with the charity Endometriosis UK. I want to raise awareness of this condition and campaign for real change. "My hope is to be a voice for those still searching for answers and show those living with endometriosis that they're not alone. "Endometriosis UK is working to reduce the shockingly long diagnosis time, calling on Governments across the UK to ensure menstrual wellbeing education is implemented in all schools as well as improving education and awareness of endometriosis for all healthcare practitioners, including GPs, pharmacists and A&E doctors. "Without this education, those with the disease will continue to face challenges in getting a diagnosis and accessing the right care at the right time. "As part of their mission to reduce diagnosis times, Endometriosis UK has an endometriosis symptoms checker. In just 60 seconds you can find out if your symptoms could be a sign of the condition, and if they are, then an automated personalised letter is created with your symptoms to give to your GP. "And whether you have a diagnosis or not, the charity's experienced nurse-led support helpline team is ready to provide expert information and guidance. "Those are two really fantastic resources that I would definitely have benefited from when I was on my diagnosis journey & l wish I'd known about them sooner! "My ultimate goal here, like Endometriosis UK, is that want anyone living with this condition to feel a sense of empowerment and be enabled to take back control of their lives by knowing what is actually going on with their bodies. "I believe it is so important that we begin to have more open conversations about menstrual health and endometriosis. "Spreading awareness and knowledge by having wider discussions on the matter is key. The only way we can feel more comfortable and in control is by sharing our own experiences. "For me, I have found a lot of healing and comfort within talking more openly about my own personal journey. Even if me using my platform can help even just one other person - it's worth it! E xx" Many thanked the Ghost hitmaker for speaking out, with one writing: "Thank you so much for sharing your story, it helps so much!" Dozens more hailed her as an 'inspiration,' with fans sharing their own stories in solidarity. Another added: "Welcome to the Endo Warrior crew 💛 I'm so happy you found Answers. When I first got diagnosed I felt defeated but also happy they found a reason for my pain." A third penned: "Thank you for highlighting the fight we have as women to be heard and taken seriously about the pain that we go through on a monthly basis. Keep fighting & raising awareness." 5 5 5
The Independent
4 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Watch: Ella Henderson opens up about endometriosis diagnosis
Pop star Ella Henderson has opened up about her struggles with endometriosis and is partnering with Endometriosis UK to support others affected. The condition occurs when cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body, often causing pain, inflammation, and scar tissue. 'I've really, really been struggling not only with stomach bloating and physical pain, but also with my mental health … I wasn't really believed,' she shared on Instagram. 'I know my situation isn't unique,' she added. 'Too many women unnecessarily suffer with undiagnosed endometriosis.' She's promoting the charity 's tool that checks symptoms in one minute and creates a personalised letter for people to take to their GP.
BreakingNews.ie
6 hours ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Ella Henderson shares endometriosis diagnosis in bid to ‘spread awareness'
Singer Ella Henderson has said that after 'years of struggling' with health problems she has been diagnosed with endometriosis. The 29-year old, who found fame on the TV singing competition, The X Factor, in 2012, said that she was diagnosed in January after a laparoscopy revealed 'severe endometriosis' behind her uterus and scar tissue affecting her bladder and bowel. Advertisement According to the NHS website, endometriosis is caused when cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ELLA HENDERSON (@ellahendersonofficial) Symptoms can include severe pain and heavy bleeding, making it difficult to diagnose as it is similar to other conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. In a statement shared on her Instagram account on Wednesday, Henderson said she wants others suffering with the condition to know they are not alone. She said: 'After years of struggling with confusing and challenging health problems including stomach bloating, bowel pain and heavy periods, plus countless GP appointments leading to scans, tests and the feeling that maybe the pain was all in my head, I was officially diagnosed with endometriosis in January this year. 'My long journey to an endometriosis diagnosis is not unique. It takes on average up to nine years in the UK, which for many like me, can put an immense mental and physical toll on you. Advertisement 'Living in chronic pain, not being believed, and constant misdiagnosis led to periods of depression, isolation and anxiety. If health practitioners had recognised my endometriosis symptoms sooner, I might have been spared all that.' Ella Henderson finished sixth on The X Factor (Ian West/PA) Despite there not being a cure for endometriosis, there are treatments available that can help manage the pain including surgery which Henderson said had helped to 'significantly' reduce symptoms. She has since partnered with the charity, Endometriosis UK, to help raise awareness about the condition. She added: 'I don't want future generations of women to go through what I did. I know that my situation isn't unique, and too many women unnecessarily suffer with undiagnosed endometriosis for far too long. Advertisement 'My hope is to be a voice for those still searching for answers and show those living with endometriosis that they're not alone. 'I want anyone living with this condition to feel a sense of empowerment and be enabled to take back control of their lives by knowing what is actually going on with their bodies. Henderson said she wanted others suffering with the condition to know they were not alone (Yui Mok/PA) 'I believe it is so important that we begin to have more open conversations about menstrual health and endometriosis. 'Spreading awareness and knowledge by having wider discussions on the matter is key. Advertisement 'The only way we can feel more comfortable and in control is by sharing our own experiences.' The Lincolnshire-born singer finished sixth on The X Factor where she went on to release her debut single Ghost which reached number one in the UK singles charts before releasing her debut studio album Chapter One.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Ella Henderson reveals endometriosis diagnosis
Pop star Ella Henderson has revealed she has endometriosis and has partnered with a charity to raise awareness of the condition. In a video message on her Instagram account, the multi-platinum selling artist said the last few years had been "a little bit of a rollercoaster" because of her symptoms but she had finally been diagnosed in January. "I've really been struggling, not only with stomach bloating, physical pain but also with my mental health on the basis that I thought at one point this was all just in my head," she said. The 29-year-old, from Tetney in Lincolnshire, said she wanted to share her experience to start "an open conversation" about the condition. Endometriosis causes cells similar to those in the lining of the womb to grow in other parts of the body, leading to severe pain. It affects one in ten women in the UK and takes an average of almost nine years to get a diagnosis, according to Endometriosis UK. Henderson said although her own diagnosis had been "devastating", it had also been "empowering" and she had partnered with the charity to raise awareness. In her video message, she said she was determined to educate herself and get people talking about the condition. "I don't want future generations of women to go through what I did. I know that my situation isn't unique and too many women unnecessarily suffer with undiagnosed endometriosis for far too long," she said. Henderson, who rose to fame on ITV show The X Factor, said speaking to other women and learning to understand the condition had been "crucial". "For me, I really struggled thinking this was just something I was going through," she said. "I want you to know if you are going through this you are not alone." Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, praised Henderson for sharing her experience in such "an open and frank way". "Ella's willingness to share her story will no doubt help others in their diagnosis journey, helping them access the care they need," she said. As well as raising awareness, the charity campaigns to improve education in schools and for healthcare practitioners to be trained to recognise the symptoms. Ms Cox added: "Without education and awareness, those with the disease will continue to face challenges in getting a diagnosis and accessing the right care at the right time, as Ella did." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices More on this story 'We can't stay silent over endometriosis struggle' 'We wait too long for endometriosis diagnoses' New endometriosis pill approved on NHS in England Related internet links Local Democracy Reporting Service Endometriosis UK
BBC News
12 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Pop star Ella Henderson reveals endometriosis diagnosis
Pop star Ella Henderson has revealed she has endometriosis and has partnered with a charity to raise awareness of the a video message on her Instagram account, the multi-platinum selling artist said the last few years had been "a little bit of a rollercoaster" because of her symptoms but she had finally been diagnosed in January."I've really been struggling, not only with stomach bloating, physical pain but also with my mental health on the basis that I thought at one point this was all just in my head," she 29-year-old, from Tetney in Lincolnshire, said she wanted to share her experience to start "an open conversation" about the condition. Endometriosis causes cells similar to those in the lining of the womb to grow in other parts of the body, leading to severe affects one in ten women in the UK and takes an average of almost nine years to get a diagnosis, according to Endometriosis said although her own diagnosis had been "devastating", it had also been "empowering" and she had partnered with the charity to raise her video message, she said she was determined to educate herself and get people talking about the condition."I don't want future generations of women to go through what I did. I know that my situation isn't unique and too many women unnecessarily suffer with undiagnosed endometriosis for far too long," she who rose to fame on ITV show The X Factor, said speaking to other women and learning to understand the condition had been "crucial"."For me, I really struggled thinking this was just something I was going through," she said."I want you to know if you are going through this you are not alone." Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, praised Henderson for sharing her experience in such "an open and frank way"."Ella's willingness to share her story will no doubt help others in their diagnosis journey, helping them access the care they need," she well as raising awareness, the charity campaigns to improve education in schools and for healthcare practitioners to be trained to recognise the Cox added: "Without education and awareness, those with the disease will continue to face challenges in getting a diagnosis and accessing the right care at the right time, as Ella did." Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
