I am now 33.

As a teenager I had slight period pain but nothing that stopped me living my life normally.

My partner and I started trying for a baby when I was 23 and I miscarried three times before investigations were done.

It turned out I had a genetic condition that affected my chromosomes when I produced eggs. I was told I needed IVF so they could test the genetic make up of our embryos and I’d have a better chance of carrying a child full term.

After two full IVF cycles I became pregnant with my daughter and gave birth to her naturally.

When she was around 4 months old I started having terrible stabbing pains and shocking period pain and heavy bleeding.

I let it go for a while and didn’t do anything about it until I went back to my ob/gyn to try for a second baby.

This time IVF didn’t work so my specialist suggested a laparoscopy to check things out.

I was diagnosed with moderate endometriosis that day and had quite a bit removed. I went on to have a few months without pain.

Watch Mia Freedman talk at the 2015 EndoActive Conference (post continues after video).

Unfortunately soon afterwards my marriage broke down.

My husband complained that I was always unwell and not wanting to do anything.

He told me I was a moody bitch and off he went.

My daughter and I moved in with my parents and as I had no plans to have more kids, or any more relationships for that matter. I went on the pill – Yasmin – and didn’t have any pain at all.

A few months later I met a great bloke and

  w

e decided we would just be mates.

  Three 

years later that mate is now my husband.

(Oops!)

During this time my endo has been out of control.

I’ve had a laparoscopy again with a new ob/gyn who removed every single trace of it from my bowel, bladder and ovaries. They were all stuck together and it took me nearly four weeks to recover. I started taking Chinese herbs and actually felt quite well for a few months.

That’s when I fell pregnant naturally with my second daughter.

 W

e were delighted but also absolutely stunned.

My ob/gyn said breastfeeding for as long as possible would help prevent endo returning.

 Unfortunately 

she was wrong.

When the baby was six-weeks-old my period returned and with each cycle the pain increased.

I ended up on the floor not being able to move and being rushed to emergency.

They said I had a severe bladder infection but didn’t think it was related to endo.

I was put on Endone for pain and the mini pill – neither of which worked. The Endone made me feel out of it, sad, teary and angry, and the mini pill didn’t stop the pain or the bleeding. My ob/gyn said they would rather not do another lap until I’d stopped feeding my baby and was ready for more kids.

So I’ve suffered from then until now. I have horrible hip pain – on some days I can’t even walk. But never had I been told that any of these symptoms could be related to endometriosis.

Then I found out about EndoActive ’s DVD about Endometriosis and it changed everything. I kid you not: my amazing, blokey husband sat with me and watched every minute of that DVD and took notes. I cried all the way through it.

I felt sad that so many of us have to go through this, especially sad for younger girls.

But I was also relieved that I’m not alone and that my symptoms are real and I’m not a loony.

That DVD is incredible, inspiring and life changing.

Yesterday I was in terrible pain. Usually I would call in sick for work, lie on the couch and take pain relief.

Instead I went to work, remained active and kept positive and honestly, it made a difference.

I’m writing a diary to track my mood, symptoms and pain levels.

I’ve started lots of different natural remedies and I’m easing into gentle exercise in hope all this will make a difference and these are all things I’ve learned from watching one DVD.

Writing this I’m in tears because I don’t feel alone and I’m going to ask all my family watch it too. It has seriously changed my life.

For more on Endoactive, visit their website here . 

Do you suffer with endometriosis? What has been your greatest source of support?