A mother has spoken of her struggles with endometriosis as part of her work to raise awareness and support others with the condition.
Samantha Ray, 34 and from Hartlepool, was diagnosed in 2021 while she was being treated for a hernia, having suffered monthly pain for years.
She gave up her job working for a council in January and now runs a support group for women in the north-east of England.
The condition was not spoken about enough, she said, and called for more training for health professionals.
It is estimated endometriosis affects 1.5 million women in the UK and can cause chronic pain, heavy periods and extreme tiredness.
