Reality star Lacey Martin has spoken out about her ongoing fight with a devastating illness that even led her to faint on set. The 27-year-old was thrown into the spotlight on Channel 4’s Married At First Sight, after being paired up with gentle husband, Nathan Campbell.
Despite their blossoming romance and a ‘really good journey’ under the guidance of relationship experts, Lacey’s health battles remained largely hidden from viewers. But now, she is eager to raise awareness.
“I had moments on set when I had my period and was really suffering with my endometriosis – sometimes that makes it hard to film,” she told OK! in an exclusive interview. “I felt so bloated and heavy and weak. At one point, I actually fainted on set – but the crew and production and medics were amazing, they came running.”
Endometriosis is a chronic disease that causes ‘cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body’, according to the NHS. Severe period pain, heavy periods and pain during sex are among a number of its key symptoms, which may have a devastating impact on everyday life.
While Lacey was diagnosed at 20 years old, it allegedly took doctors ‘four whole years’ to reach that conclusion. The Hertfordshire-born cast member explained that she ‘had to really fight the doctors’ and insist that something wasn’t right, before it was finally taken seriously.
Lacey continued: “They kept offering me the implant, or different ways to help with my flow, but it wasn’t working with my body. I felt depressed, because it had an impact on my life, on my relationship at the time – he was like,’ Why do you keep bleeding, what’s going on?’ I felt lost in my own body, like nobody was listening to me.
“[…]I thought it was normal for years, but obviously it wasn’t! I had a boyfriend for 10 years and it would affect our relationship, because I would have pain during or after sex, severe period pain, pelvic pain, severe blood loss – I’ve lost jobs in the past due to sickness and hospital visits. Employers weren’t understanding at all.”
Endometriosis can make it difficult to conceive a child, but thankfully, doctors have told Lacey that she still can. Although this may require going down the IVF route, she claimed that receiving this update was ‘amazing’.
“I’ve spoken to my twin Paige for years about my worries, I also thought men might not even want to be with me, if I couldn’t have kids,” she continued. “And she’s actually said she would carry a baby for me, which is just incredible. She’s like my right arm and she said, should I ever need it, who knows – she would carry a child for me. She’s my best friend.”
If you’re concerned you may have endometriosis, the NHS’ full list of symptoms are below
- Intensified period pain that stops you from doing everyday tasks/activities
- Heavy periods, where you need to change pads or tampons every one to two hours, or you may bleed through to your clothes
- Pain when urinating or pooing
- Pain after or during sex
- Extreme fatigue
- Pain in the lower back or stomach
- Struggles with moods or anxiety