The Traitors returned to the BBC and one cast member has captured viewers’ attention for more than one reason. Elen, a 24-year-old from Cardiff, quickly became a fan favorite as a Faithful, impressing audiences with her insight by suggesting the Traitors included a “strong female.”
Off-screen however, Elen has been using her platform on TikTok to raise awareness about endometriosis, a chronic and painful condition she lives with. Through her videos, she encourages others experiencing similar symptoms to consult their GP for advice.
Endometriosis UK states: “Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body. These cells can grow and change in response to hormones in the menstrual cycle, this can cause inflammation, pain and scar tissue.”
Uploading photos of signs which could indicate you have it, she lists 13 symptoms. These include:
- heavy periods
- painful periods
- severe cramps
- bloating
- back pain
- pain during intercourse
- medication isn’t helping
- bladder pain
- bowel pain
- acne
- infertility
- fainting
- leg pain
Revealing she has stage four, she said: “If you’ve experienced these symptoms and had an ultrasound or an MRI and the scans came out clear, keep pushing for a laparoscopy.”
The only way to diagnose endometriosis correctly is by a laparoscopy. This is an operation where a camera (a laparoscope) is placed into the pelvis via a small cut near the navel. The surgeon the looks for signs of endometriosis and can potentially treat anything they see.
Elen then revealed that her scans showed nothing. “I have stage 4 endometriosis” she said, adding: “and all my scans came out clear.” Noting that 1 in 10 women have this common and painful condition, she urged: “Don’t let a GP make you believe these symptoms are normal.”
Experts at Endometriosis UK back this up by stating: “Endometriosis symptoms can vary from person to person. They can also vary depending on where the endometriosis is in your body.
“You may have tests and scans to look for other conditions or take a closer look at affected parts of your body such as the bladder or bowel. Endometriosis does not show up on all scans.”
Urging people not to give up even if they have a clear scan – or scans – like Elen, they warn: “You can still have endometriosis and have a negative scan result.”
Common endometriosis symptoms
The main symptoms of endometriosis are
- Pelvic pain outside of your period
- Bloating
- Painful periods that interfere with your day-to-day life
- Pain during or after sex
- Pain when urinating
- Fatigue
- Painful bowel movements
- Difficulty getting pregnant