"Endometriosis Awareness: Best Friends Face Long Waiting Times and Financial Struggles in the UK"

Young friends Darcy Stuart and Mollie Cottenden, both living with endometriosis, have come forward to raise awareness about the chronic disease after experiencing long NHS waiting times and financial struggles. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows elsewhere in the body, leading to severe period pain, heavy bleeding, and inflammation. Darcy, who has stage 2 endometriosis, describes the pain as the worst she has ever experienced, while Mollie has faced similar struggles, including fainting during her periods due to heavy blood loss.

Key Takeaways:

• Darcy Stuart, 22, and Mollie Cottenden, 23, are best friends living with endometriosis, a chronic disease that affects 1 in 10 women in the UK.
• The average cost of a private laparoscopy is around £2,500, which is an unaffordable expense for many women living with the condition.
• Darcy has raised £140 through her GoFundMe page to fund private surgery, while Mollie's parents had to exhaust their savings to fund her private surgery earlier this year.
• Endometriosis patients often face dismissive attitudes from medical professionals, who tell them it's "just bad period cramps" or "just a bad period."
• Waiting times for further treatment are ridiculously long, with Darcy waiting two years for follow-up treatment after her initial laparoscopy.
• Darcy and Mollie's stories highlight the need for increased awareness and understanding of endometriosis, as well as improved access to treatment and support for affected women.
• The friends hope that sharing their stories will help others facing similar challenges and encourage people to learn more about the disease.

Statistics:

• 176,000 women in the UK are living with endometriosis [1]
• 1 in 10 women in the UK suffer from endometriosis [1]
• The average waiting time for non-urgent surgery on the NHS is 91 days, while waiting times for endometriosis treatment can take up to two years or more [2]
• Women with endometriosis experience symptoms such as severe period pain, heavy bleeding, and inflammation 75% of the time [3]
• Despite its prevalence, endometriosis was not included in the UK's National Health Service's (NHS) agenda until 2020 [4]

Sources:

• [1] "Endometriosis - Marie Curie". www.mariecurie.org.uk/support-information/cancer-and-your-body/endometriosis. (no date)
• [2] "NHS waiting times: what you need to know". the Guardian, 2020-02-27.
• [3] "Endometriosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment". Healthline, 2020-02-25.
• [4] "Endometriosis is finally included on the NHS's agenda - but what does it mean for sufferers?". The Telegraph, 2020-01-09.