Endometriosis sufferers ‘are not alone’, Chatham woman says

Jessica Lewis, 25, was diagnosed with endometriosis two years ago. She first started experiencing symptoms when she was 14 years old.

“It is just excruciating. There have been times that I have literally collapsed on my way home from work because I am in agony,” Lewis, from Broadstairs, said.

“It affects every single thing I do day to day, the plans I make.

“It is just really sad because I feel like a lot of the things I used to really look forward to I would now dread.”

She says according to her NHS notes she went to the doctor 22 times before eventually getting her diagnosis following surgery in 2024.

“I would love for there to be actual change within the NHS in terms of how medical professionals are trained. I would love to see more funding for it,” she added.

Hansen wants a local wellbeing hub to include a safe space for sharing experiences as well as a fitness centre.

Like Lewis, she also wants to see more funding going to the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.

She is supported by her local MP for Chatham and Aylesford, Tristan Osborne.

“We have wellbeing hubs already – I think having one dedicated to women’s and girls’ issues is not only sensible, it is also appropriate,” Osbourne said.

He added that he would be working with Medway and with Tonbridge and Malling councils to try and get similar provision there.