My name is Emma O’Donnell, I am 23 and live on the central coast in New South Wales, Australia.

I have struggled with period pain since I was 14, but it got a lot worse when I turned 20. I went in for my first laparoscopic surgery in May 2016 where I was diagnosed with endometriosis.

During the time I was having the surgery and recovering, I had recently finished my bachelor of nursing and was doing a new graduate program at our local hospital. Unfortunately, I lost this job because I did not recover quickly and needed too much time off. Since then, life has changed a lot. Again I am on long term sick leave (as I got a new job) because the pain is unbearable most days. I have good days and then really bad days!

I got married in January this year to the most supportive man in the world. I couldn’t do it without him and some days he is the only reason I keep going. We are now trying for a baby. It’s been 6 months and I am on Clomid for a few months before we embark on the next step of the journey, IVF.

It’s so amazing to have support networks from other women with this horrible disease and even more amazing hearing their stories. The encouragement is incredible.

We fight everyday with our own bodies, but we just have to remember that maybe one day we can say “I used to have endometriosis”.


Thank you for sharing your story Emma.

Remember, every one of us has a different story, and the more shared, the more we can learn. If you are interested in sharing your story, please contact me at shireen.emlwy@gmail.com.

S.