Endometriosis sufferers reveal just how debilitating the condition is in Rankin photoshoot – including one woman whose period lasted SIX months
ENDOMETRIOSIS sufferers have posed for a series of powerful photos as part of a new exhibition to raise awareness for the ";invisible" illness.
The exhibition Beyond the Invisible - shot by top snapper Rankin - aims to shine a light on 15 people's experience with the chronic pain condition.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition which occurs when tissue which behaves like the lining of the womb is found outside of the uterus – in areas of the body including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the abdomen and the bladder.
Although the exact cause of the condition remains unknown, more than 1.5 million women in the UK are affected by endometriosis.
In an attempt to make this condition "visible" to the public, the internationally-renowned photographer, in partnership with Endometriosis UK and savings company Standard Life, has shot a series of intimate photographs and videos of people who have experience of the condition.
Along with photographing media personalities Emma Barnett and Julia Bradbury, 29-year-old Bex Eliff also revealed how this agonising condition left her with periods that lasted up to six months.
Last year, Bex ran the London marathon for Endometriosis UK and raised more than £7,000 for the charity.
She was first diagnosed with the condition at the age of 15 and would often pass out from the pain.
Bex - who works as an acting agent - is now on a waiting list for an operation to treat her endometriosis.
Last month it was revealed that millions of women with endometriosis have to wait up to seven years before getting a correct diagnosis.
As 87 per cent of women with endometriosis have said it has impacted their financial status and ability to work, the life savings charity Standard Life's aim is to support women suffering with the invisible illness through this exhibition.
According to , the chronic condition costs the UK economy £8.2bn a year in loss of work, treatment and healthcare costs.
The exhibition is currently showing in La Galleria Pall Mall in London before relocating to Edinburgh next month.
Describing the inspiration behind his latest work, Rankin said: "I didn’t know a huge amount about endometriosis until Standard Life approached me about collaborating on this project for their Invisible Illnesses campaign.
"I just couldn’t believe that one in ten women is living with this; the excruciating pain and the way it negatively affects basically every aspect of their lives.
"Their relationships, careers and finances suffer due to this sometimes-debilitating condition.
"I hope this exhibition can almost make tangible the invisible agony of endometriosis, which is so hard to understand if you are not affected."
Endometriosis UK CEO Emma Cox added: “Delayed diagnosis can have devastating effects on women's quality of life.
"We are delighted to be partnering with Standard Life and impressed with their determination to raise awareness and reduce diagnosis times, helping improve the lives of future generations of women.”
Beyond the Invisible is showing in La Galleria Pall Mall from 21-28 March and will be at Stills Gallery in Edinburgh from 1-8 April 2019.
Symptoms of endometriosis
Endometriosis is where cells like the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body.
Each month, these cells react in the same way to those in the womb - building up and then breaking down and bleeding. Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape.
That can lead to infertility, fatigue, bowel and bladder problems, as well as really heavy, painful periods.
It affects one in ten women in the UK.
Symptoms include:
- Painful, heavy, or irregular periods
- Pain during or after sex
- Infertility
- Painful bowel movements
- Fatigue
The cause of endometriosis is unknown and there is no definite cure.
According to Endometriosis UK, it takes over seven years on average for women to finally receive a diagnosis.
It's estimated that up to 50 per cent of infertile women has the condition.
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