Endometriosis: 'I thought I was dying'

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When Ellie Colton was 14, she thought she was dying. But doctors told her it was 'just bad periods'. After years of debilitating pain she was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, a gynaecological condition that affects around 1 in 10 women. Her story is not uncommon - it takes an average of 8-9 years to be diagnosed in the UK.

Ellie explores why it takes so long to be diagnosed with 'endo', and meets a woman who had a perfectly healthy appendix removed because she was misdiagnosed. She also meets a scientist working to devise a simple diagnostic test that could help many women.

• Made by BBC Ideas in partnership with UKRI , external

• Find out more about UKRI research into endometriosis diagnosis, external

• Watch Emma Barnett: Fighting endometriosis on BBC iPlayer (Monday 1st June 2026)

• Listen to Ellie Colton on BBC Radio Sheffield Breakfast

Made by Wander Films

💡 Watch more videos at BBC Ideas

• Published1 hour ago