Loose Women star Judi Love has opened up about a 20-year health battle that causes her severe pain. The TV personality was diagnosed with endometriosis over two decades ago.
She said suffering with the condition has been "unbearable" at times on both a physical and emotional level. In an exclusive interview with The Mirror, Judi said: "It took me about five years to get a diagnosis, and the average time is even longer – as long as nine years." She said the condition is not spoken about much so she didn't know much about it when she eventually got her diagnosis. "For women, our pain is often not always taken seriously, so symptoms are just put down to having 'bad periods'," she explained. "At the time, it wasn't spoken about much, so when I received my diagnosis I honestly didn't really know what it was, but the effect on my life, my physical and mental health, was sometimes unbearable." She added: "I think it's so important that people are starting to have more open conversations about endometriosis and the impact it can have, as well as pushing for diagnoses, because not having that pain recognised or acknowledged is really difficult." Endometriosis is caused when tissue similar to that found in the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
It can have a significant impact on a person's life and can be very painful. Judi said she is determined to challenge health-related stigmas and sees the new year as an opportunity to focus on her health.
She shared: "I like to be active, I really enjoy boxing – it makes me feel good. One of my big mottos is 'health is wealth' – so that's what I keep in mind when it comes to goals.