'I'm in agony with endometriosis and have to pay £15,700 for endometriosis surgery - or wait a year'

Shauna Barton, 38, has dealt with crippling pain from her complex case of endometriosis since she was 21 years old.

Endometriosis is a chronic, often painful condition where tissue similar to the uterus lining grows outside it commonly on pelvic organs causing inflammation, scar tissue, and infertility. Key symptoms include severe period pain, chronic pelvic pain, pain during/after sex, and heavy bleeding. While the exact cause is unknown, it involves hormonal, immune, and genetic factors.

At the time of speaking to us, Shauna had been hospitalised for 10 days and was unable to properly eat or drink due to the excruciating pain.

Shauna, from Wigan’ first went for diagnostic testing in 2012 where they found a mild form of endometriosis, then in 2022 she went for an operation but still had monthly flare ups.

However, it was in October last year when Shauna’s symptoms returned and became even worse, leaving her bed bound and unable to work. After further testing this year, they found that not only had the endometriosis spread but Shauna also had adenomyosis.

Adenomyosis is a chronic gynecological condition where the endometrium (lining of the womb) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, often causing severe painful periods, heavy bleeding, and chronic pelvic pain.

Shauna said: “I can’t have kids anymore because the only cure is a full hysterectomy for the adenomyosis, I was completely shocked at that.”

For Shauna, her case of endometriosis is severe and complex, posing issues to her daily life.

She said: “The endometriosis is completely tethering all of my organs together. I’ve got a bowel obstruction because there’s a small loop in my bowel from the endometriosis. It basically sticks to your other organs and creates adhesions and scar tissue.”

Adding: “My womb is pushing into my rectum because it’s so inflamed, so when I go to the toilet because it’s now so narrow it’s excruciating pain. My bladder is also tethered to my womb, it’s all pushing and pulling together and every time I move it hurts.”

Shauna was originally being treated at Wigan Infirmary but due to her complex case, she would need to be referred to St Mary’s Hospital in Manchester where she was told there would be a 52 week wait.

On raising awareness, Shauna said: “I’m doing this for other women and I’m doing it for my little girls, because there’s a 70 per cent chance that they could get it as well hereditarily. I need to fight so that there’s more research and more support because there’s going to be so many women suffering.”

Adding: “I can’t remember the last time I saw my son play football, I can’t remember the last time I took my little girl to dance or my oldest girl to play rugby. I can’t do school runs and all my family and friends have to help me.”

Due to her inability to wait any longer, Shauna has now decided to get a loan to pay for her surgery privately which she’s been told will cost £15,700.