Ash Webb on how Endometriosis Month can break the taboo

One in nine women live with a debilitating condition that can leave them in excruciating pain, yet not many feel comfortable discussing it. One Gowrie Junction woman wants to change that.

Excruciating pain, nausea, bloating and infertility issues are just some symptoms one in nine Australian women can face, including Gowrie Junction resident Ash Webb.

Diagnosed at 19, Ash Webb has had a difficult time with Endometriosis, and realised something was wrong after witnessing other women not forced to take work off each month.

“I consider myself one of the lucky ones with my diagnosis. I knew something was wrong, and I kept pushing for test after test,” she said.

“Once or twice a month my dad would be rushing me to emergency because I was in so much pain.

“At the time, I never knew that excruciating periods weren’t normal, and it was such a taboo topic, that I thought I had to deal with it privately. I was wrong.”

Ash Webb lives with Endometriosis, pictured with sons Spencer (left) and Fletcher. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Endometriosis, commonly called endo, is a disease where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it in other parts of the body.

Mrs Webb, who is the Darling Downs co-ordinator for QENDO, has had several surgeries to diagnose and manage her endometriosis, and while various birth controls, pain killers and heat packs have helped, the endo has presented an array of problems.

“In 2015, I had to have my third surgery … and my gynaecologist found a benign tumour that had wrapped itself around my fallopian tube, and all my endo had stuck to it,” Mrs Webb said.

“There was a lot of damage done when they were removing it, and it was quite upsetting to hear that fertility might be affected.”

Mrs Webb and her husband were ready to start a family, and despite the complicated surgery, were able to fall pregnant naturally with their first son Fletcher in 2016.

However, Mrs Webb’s endo made the conception of her second son more difficult.

“In 2019, I had another surgery to check on my tubes … there was a lot of damage and adhesions that would cause some problems,” she said.

“We tried for the next six months and nothing happened, so we tried IVF.

“I now get to cuddle my fifth transfer, Spencer.”

Ash Webb underwent IVF treatment to conceive her son Spencer, after complications of her Endometriosis made falling pregnant naturally difficult. Picture: Nev Madsen.

March is Endometriosis Month, and Mrs Webb said conversations around menstruation and endometriosis needed to become more common.

“Living as a woman, a lot of men don’t feel comfortable talking about it,” she said.

“A lot of women are brought up being taught you don’t talk about it, that’s a women’s issue.

“But we hope it will be different now.”

For 24/7 support on Endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS or infertility, contact QENDO on 1800 Ask QENDO (1800 275 73636).