AN Inverness woman who has been in hospital with endometriosis approximately 50 times in 13 years called for it to be recognised as a “legitimate, chronic condition” today.

Fay Cartwright argues that care for the condition, which causes severe period pain as well as pain in the stomach and back, remains patchy despite one in 10 women being affected.

She said: “I’ve been told that there’s nothing wrong with me, it’s all in my head and it’s just a bad period. 

“Some consultants have an exceptional manner and really care about their patients, and make me feel heard, but, unfortunately, they are in the minority.”

The founder of InverEndo Support campaign group, calling for faster diagnosis, greater patient support and better co-ordination between services, added: “In order to make change, we need to recognise endometriosis as a legitimate, chronic condition.”

Jenni Minto, minister for women’s health, responded: “We are clear we need urgent action and that is why we have invested £13 million in additional funding to Health Boards this year to target long waits for gynaecology.

“We are beginning to see the impact of that investment, with waits coming down.”