Kelly Stratford is glad to finally have a diagnosis of adenomyosis, a painful condition which affects thousands of New Zealand women. Photo / Jenny Ling
Kelly Stratford is glad to finally have a diagnosis of adenomyosis, a painful condition which affects thousands of New Zealand women. Photo / Jenny Ling
For more than a decade Far North District Councillor Kelly Stratford has battled chronic pelvic pain that feels like electric shocks coursing through her body.
She has managed her heavy periods, and pushed through while suffering stomach cramps and insomnia, lower back pain, bloating and general discomfort.
So when the44-year-old went to the doctor after irregular bleeding between periods in February, she shed tears of relief when she ordered tests.
"I shed tears because I wasn't getting fobbed off," Stratford said.
"At least now I knew it hasn't been all in my head.
"The pain I've been having, it was pain like no other, even labour wasn't as painful as that. It goes right through your body."
A month later, after a pelvic ultrasound which she got through private healthcare, Stratford was diagnosed with adenomyosis, a painful condition where the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle of the uterus.
It is frequently associated with endometriosis, which produces similar symptoms though affects the outside of the uterus.
Stratford reckons it's pretty ironic that she was diagnosed during Endometriosis Awareness Month in March.
Endometriosis affects more than 10 per cent of New Zealand women and girls, causing debilitating period pain and bowel and fertility problems. It also impacts on their overall wellbeing.
Endometriosis New Zealand chief executive Deborah Bush said New Zealand's diagnostic delay of eight plus years for adenomyosis and endometriosis is disgraceful. Photo / Supplied
Endometriosis New Zealand chief executive Deborah Bush [MNZM, QSM] said many of these 130,000 women and girls will also have adenomyosis, which is under-reported and poorly diagnosed.
New Zealand has a diagnostic delay of eight plus years for the conditions, which is disgraceful, Bush said.
"It's shameful we have women sitting on waiting lists for years with debilitating symptoms which compromise their life, affect their fertility, their relationships, their schooling and their work."
As the condition doesn't always show up in scans and blood tests, women need a full assessment by a specialist gynaecologist, which often doesn't happen, she said.
"Sadly, it's often not on the radar of GPs, and even general gynaecologists who don't have endometriosis as their specialty, and therefore the disease adenomyosis is often overlooked.
"It's very frustrating and distressing for those people, because their symptoms can be extreme and compromise their life."
Bush said this is particularly infuriating given that the Ministry of Health has indicated "that they have no plans to implement the clinical pathway which could change the lives for tens of thousands of New Zealanders".
Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter launched the best-practice guidance for the treatment of endometriosis in Parliament in March 2020, however it has not yet been implemented. Photo / File
Associate Health Minister Julie Anne Genter launched the best-practice guidance for the treatment of endometriosis in Parliament in March 2020.
Stratford – who has three children - began having symptoms 11 years ago.
"I always felt like my internal organs were swollen, everything was pushing down, like I was pregnant but I wasn't. I just got used to it."
Stratford said she had been to the doctor before, but because the pain comes and goes, and she has a high pain threshold, she just kept pushing through.
Earlier this year she decided enough was enough.
"Since Covid I've noticed that I'm tired a lot. My periods have been getting heavier and heavier."
Stratford is now getting her health back on track, "now I know what I am working with".
She has joined a couple of online support groups including Talk Peach Gynaecological Awareness.
She is on painkillers and has adjusted her diet, cutting out caffeine, taking up meditation and being vigilant with yoga classes.
Though she is not sure if she'll need surgery, which could involve a hysterectomy, she wants women to be open about their health issues.
She also urged others experiencing similar symptoms to push for tests from their doctor.
"We all should talk about these types of things because it may help a young girl or a young mum experiencing this to get support to manage the symptoms."
What is Adenomyosis?
Adenomyosis is a condition where the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle of the uterus.
Symptoms include heavy and painful periods, bloating and discomfort during sex.
It is frequently associated with endometriosis, which occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found in places outside of the uterus such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Many of the 130,000 women and girls in New Zealand who suffer from endometriosis will have undiagnosed adenomyosis as well.
