POP singer Louise Redknapp, wife of footballer Jamie, has announced she is four months pregnant with their first child.

She had been trying to conceive for two years but discovered she suffered from endometriosis. Following successful laser treatment she is now pregnant.

One in 10 women are affected by endometriosis and doctors at the Royal Bolton Hospital see at least two women a week who are suffering from the condition.

Lucie McFall, who herself suffers from the condition, reports...

ENDOMETRIOSIS is known to many as the "career women's" disease.

It's a condition where the lining of the uterus - which comes away from the wall during menstruation - ends up in other parts of the body causing scarring, cysts and extreme pain.

Many sufferers only become aware they have the condition when they start planning a family later in life. Most do not even consider the possibility they have the disease until they have tests to find out why they are having trouble conceiving.

Some experts believe endometriosis is on the increase - it affects two million women in the UK - but it is difficult to be sure.

Past generations of women who suffered from the symptoms would not even have known they had the disease.

These days, women are more likely to want an explanation as to why they are in pain.

Modern technology means it is easy for endometriosis to be diagnosed by a laparoscopy, a minor operation where a camera is inserted through a small incision near the navel while the patient is under a general anaesthetic. This allows the surgeon to see the pelvic organs and any endometrium growths or cysts. But frequently, women complain they have difficulty persuading their doctor to refer them for a laparoscopy because painful periods are very common and it does not necessarily follow that they have endometriosis.

There is no cure and no one knows what causes it, but treatments are now widely available to help to reduce the pain or shrink the growths if the patient is planning to have a family.

These include hormonal drugs, injections or a type of contraceptive pill. The most common is a laparotomy, an operation where the growths are either cut or burned away using a laser. The condition will keep recurring until it stops during the menopause or as a last resort, a woman has a hysterectomy and her womb and ovaries removed.

The disease has been put in the national spotlight this week with the news that singer Louise Rednapp, wife of footballer Jamie, is four months pregnant after undergoing laser treatment.

She had been trying in vain for two years to have a baby and had given up hope. Following consultations with numerous specialists, she was finally diagnosed with the condition and now says she is shocked and delighted to discover she is expecting her first child.

Other famous sufferers include actress Susan Sarandon, Anna Friel and Marilyn Monroe.

Some people even say that Queen Victoria, who famously suffered from painful periods, had endometriosis.

Mr Phil Chia, clinical director for maternity and women's healthcare at the Royal Bolton Hospital, said he did not believe it was on the increase.

"We are seeing more women with endometriosis these days because we can diagnose it with a laparoscopy and it is a very common problem. "Surgery is available, but it is very expensive so not all hospitals carry out laser treatment. At Bolton, we use the cutting procedure.

"Endometriosis can lead to fertility problems because it causes physical and structural damage to the ovaries and fallopian tubes."

For details on endometriosis, contact The National Endometriosis Society on 0808 808 2227 or www.endo.org.uk

YEARS OF PAIN THEN THE NEWS THAT DEVASTATED ME

AFTER suffering years of pain since being a teenager, I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis. I knew something was wrong but my concerns were repeatedly brushed aside by doctors, writes Lucie McFall.

I was devastated when the news was confirmed after I underwent a laparoscopy. My immediate thoughts were that I would not be able to have children. Although I had no plans to start a family at that time, the thought of being infertile terrified me.

As a result, doctors decided to put me on a six month course of injections which helped to shrink the growths. Shortly after I finished the treatment, I was shocked but elated to discover I was pregnant. For me it was a miracle and I was delighted at the thought of becoming a mum.

Following the birth of my daughter, the pain subsided for several months. I had fallen for the myth that pregnancy was a cure. Gradually the pain came back and I put off going to the doctors because I knew my worst fears would be confirmed. It was back.

Endometriosis can affect all areas of your life. I am often doubled over with aching in my pelvis but I also suffer from chronic tiredness. I often find it difficult to muster the energy to get out of bed and I have awful backache.

I am due to have a second laparoscopy in the summer and this time, surgeons are going to perform laser treatment to burn off the growths. Although I am only 30, I have been advised that the disease gets worse over time and I would eventually like to have a second child. Like many women, I was worried that I would be infertile but my daughter is proof that if the disease is diagnosed early, it can be treated.

FACT FILE

WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?

Endometriosis is a condition where endometrium (the lining of the uterus) is found in locations outside the uterus. Normally, this lining comes away during a period but in the case of endometriosis sufferers, the cells end up elsewhere in the body, causing scarring or cysts.

This misplaced tissue may be found on the ovaries, uterus, bowel, pelvis and abdomen.

Endometriosis can affect women of any age from their first period to their last at the age of 45-55 years.

Symptoms can include painful and heavy periods, abdominal/pelvic pain, constant chronic tiredness, backache and depression.

WHAT CAUSES ENDOMETRIOSIS?

No one knows exactly what causes endometriosis but over the years, many theories have been advanced.

Some believe the endometrial tissue was present abnormally when the woman was an embryo.

There is strong research into the theory that it is hereditary.

Studies have shown it is part of a large immune disorder and women with the disease are likely to suffer from a number of other disorders such as thyroid-related disorders or allergies.

Environmental factors are also thought to contribute to the development of the disease and women are advised to avoid dioxins by consuming organic food, using non-toxic cleaning agents in the home or using dioxin-free toiletries.

FERTILITY PROBLEMS

Endometriosis can cause scarring, growths or cysts on the ovaries or Fallopian tubes.

Some women can have difficulty getting pregnant but many don't.

The best thing is have the disease treated as early as possible because the problems can get worse.

Treatment can temporarily improve fertility.

Having a baby is not a cure and the condition can return.

TREATMENT

Endometriosis is hard to diagnose because many woman often accept painful periods as the norm and do not seek help until they try for a baby.

Definite diagnosis is only possible by a laparoscopy.

There is no cure but treatment through surgery, drugs or both can shrink the growths.

The most common is laser treatment where the endo spots are burned away.

A last resort for people is a hysterectomy.