Podcaster advocating for endometriosis awareness

A woman from Kenilworth is advocating for more awareness on endometriosis after she says she had to fight to be diagnosed.

Alexandra Morris said there is a pattern of women living with the condition not believed and being dismissed at GP's and hospital appointments.

Morris first began experiencing symptoms when she was 16-years-old, suffering from heavy bleeding, vomiting and fainting spells.

After three major surgeries across her bowel, bladder and reproductive system, she now hosts a podcast, called Its Not Just a Period, interviewing women who have had similar experiences.

"I thought it was normal as my mum really suffered [with period pains] too", she told the BBC.

But during her first year of university, the symptoms started happening every day, even when she was not bleeding.

She said: "It was happening every single day and I was on the maximum painkillers. I thought I was a freak and I didn't speak to anyone about it.

"My gyno dismissed me and gave me the wrong information, so I had to do my own research.

"He said 'if you push for the surgery, you will be wasting my time, your time and everybody's time".

But after Morris pushed for the surgery, her doctor said it the worst case of endometriosis he had ever seen in his whole career.

According to Endometriosis UK, one in 10 people have the condition but because of waiting times, it's more likely one in 7 - if not more - for people who do not realise they have it.

Morris began her podcast in March last year, speaking to experts influencers and celebrities about their experiences with endometriosis.