DR HILARY...DR HILARY...DR HILARY...DR HILARY...

DR HILARY'S DIAGNOSIS

Up to one in five women of childbearing age has endometriosis.

It’s more common in childless women over 30.

Often the first sign is being unable to conceive.

But Julia’s abdominal aches, painful periods, tiredness and moodiness are typical.

The cells that line the inside of the womb spill out into the abdomen and attach themselves to the ovary, bladder and intestine.

They respond to female hormones, so internal bleeding happens every month, causing pain.

Abnormal cells and scar tissue can be lasered, but may return.

Taking the pill or other hormones such as goserelin or danazol can help by suppressing oestrogen and preventing periods for up to a year.

But that interferes with fertility so she shouldn’t leave it too long if she’s planning a family.

In the meantime Julia could take ibuprofen or a prescription analgesic like mefanamic acid to ease period pain.

'Should I worry about my fertility?'

EVERY WEEK A CELEB ASKS OUR FABULOUS DOCTOR FOR DIAGNOSIS. THIS WEEK IT’S TV PRESENTER JULIA BRADBURY, 36

I’d never had problems with my periods until a few years ago when I started getting terrible PMT.

I’d have intense abdominal pain, become horribly moody, and feel like lying down all afternoon.

Even Nicky Campbell, my co-host on Watchdog, would joke: ‘Oh no, here we go.’

I put it down to getting older and took Nurofen for the pain, but in October 2005 I consulted my GP and was gobsmacked when I was told I had many of the symptoms of endometriosis.

Tissue from the womb wall that’s normally shed during a period was building up outside my womb causing scar tissue, and my left ovary was stuck to my pelvic wall.

The condition can prevent your bladder and bowel from functioning properly and, if your ovaries are damaged, then this disease can make you infertile.

Faced with various options, I decided to have laser treatment, where the tissue build-up is removed by keyhole surgery.

It was painful afterwards but the operation went well and, luckily, there wasn’t any long-term damage.

But my periods aren’t any lighter and are still painful. What can I do?

I’m 36 and single.

Should I be worried about my fertility?

Julia Bradbury presents Rough Guide To… on Thursdays, 7.30pm, and Saturdays, 5pm, Five

Words: Vicki Grimshaw; Photography: Tessa Hallmann at Camerapress

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