Endometriosis: 'I thought I was dying'

Endometriosis: 'I thought I was dying'To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedEndometriosis: 'I thought I was dying'CloseWhen 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 , externalFind out more about UKRI research into endometriosis diagnosis, externalWatch Emma Barnett: Fighting endometriosis on BBC iPlayer (Monday 1st June 2026)Listen to Ellie Colton on BBC Radio Sheffield BreakfastMade by Wander Films 💡 Watch more videos at BBC IdeasPublishedJust nowShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRead description