I had to stop modelling because I kept passing out from crippling endometriosis
Three women describe how endometriosis has affected their careers, as an inquiry takes place.
Carla Cressy, a former model, had to abandon her career due to crippling endometriosis. She began modeling at the age of five but started experiencing severe pain during menstruation at 13. It was only when she was 25 that doctors diagnosed her with endometriosis, after mistakenly believing she had acute appendicitis and removing her appendix.
Carla had to retrain as a beauty therapist due to her health issues, often sitting in hot baths to alleviate her stomach pain. One in six women with endometriosis leave the workplace because of the condition, which can lead to severe reproductive organ damage and infertility. Carla recently testified to an inquiry about how the condition affects women in the workplace.
Despite her health struggles, she formed a charity, The Endometriosis Foundation, to support other women with the condition.
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