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Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury recently shared the happy news that they’re expecting a baby together.
But away from the excitement of doting Love Island fans who are witnessing a happy ending unfold for a couple who met on the show, there’s a much more touching tribute for the pregnant influencer - and it comes from the endometriosis community.
Back in June 2021, the Love Island runner up opened up to fans about being diagnosed with the condition - which can cause pelvic pain, nausea, diarrhoea and constipation, as well as difficulty falling pregnant, according to the NHS - after doctors initially told her she didn’t have endometriosis.
Now, Molly-Mae’s pregnancy announcement has sparked hope for those with endocrine and hormonal disorders like endometriosis, who have dubbed themselves as ‘endo-warriors’, as they also have the ambition of one day becoming a parent.
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One young woman who was diagnosed with endometriosis in June this year, Sarah Mcletchie, is thrilled that Molly-Mae was able to fall pregnant despite also battling with the condition.
The 28-year-old warehouse operative from Glasgow told Tyla: “It fills my heart with so much joy knowing Molly-Mae has struggled with endometriosis and is now expecting her own little bundle of joy - it’s the most amazing news ever.
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“It brings so much hope for all of the other endo-warriors out there.”
While Sarah is not yet trying for a pregnancy, the idea of being unable to conceive is something that scares her every day.
“I do hope to get pregnant in the future when I find a partner and plan to settle down. This is something that scares me every day of my life, not knowing if I’ll be able to fall pregnant or not.
“It does upset me thinking about myself and how hard it may be for me to fall pregnant, especially the older I’m getting and the more I read into the effects of endometriosis.”
Sarah experienced a mixture of emotions after finally receiving her diagnosis earlier in the year after grappling with ‘severe cramps, uncontrollable bloating and severe lower back pain’.
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“I was upset when I first got diagnosed but also relieved that I finally had answers as I had been fighting for answers for years and years,” she admitted.
“When I have my period I find it really hard to leave my bed. I’m on strong painkillers I take pretty much every day to try and manage this to make sure I can get on with my daily life.”
She had a laparoscopy a few months ago to diagnose her with the condition - a surgery which is performed under general anesthetic to look at the internal tissue and remove the endometriosis.
"I had some of the endometrial tissue removed, however not all tissue was removed successfully," she explained of the procedure.
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"I was really self conscious about [my scars], but now I’m proud of them," Sarah explained of a personal milestone she reached during her recovery.
Another young woman with the condition, Josephine Martin, is also glad to see a fellow endo-warrior announcing a successful pregnancy story.
Josephine, 21, told Tyla: “I’m happy for Molly-Mae and I’m glad she’s been able to conceive, especially considering how difficult it is for most women for endometriosis to get pregnant.”
The childcare worker was diagnosed with thoracic endometriosis at the age of just 16 after suffering from unpleasant symptoms like abdominal pain and heavy periods and was more recently also diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, which causes her to have irregular cycles.
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Her particular condition causes endometrial-like tissue to grow on or around the lungs, which in turn also causes Josephine severe chest pain, difficulty breathing and a persistent cough.
“I get sharp stabbing pain that doesn’t go away, and it can be hard to even move when it gets like that,” she admits about her symptoms, which are currently being managed by steroid injections and prescription painkillers.
“My period cycles are also very irregular and my period is heavy which often leads to anaemia.”
And as many of those pointed out in their well-wishes to Molly-Mae, often the most painful of the symptoms associated with the disorder is difficulty conceiving - something that Josephine and her partner are sadly all too familiar with.
“I want to have a baby but due to me having thoracic endometriosis it means my infertility is high as it causes more issues when trying to get pregnant on top of also having PCOS.
“I’ve been told IVF will most likely need to be used,” Josephine explained of her fertility journey, which has so far seen her and her fiancé trying for a year and a half for a baby.
“Sometimes I can get upset when people I know get pregnant which can then lead to jealousy,” she admits of the complex feelings which can arise as a result of the disorder.
“But through the years I’ve just come to accept that it’s part of life and not everyone is able to conceive as well as others and that you also don’t always know people's individual struggles.”
Faye Farthing, head of communications and campaigns at Endometriosis UK - an organisation which provides support services, information and a community for those affected by endometriosis - notes how the emotional toll linked to fertility issues and the disorder can be ‘draining’.
Faye told Tyla: “We’d like to express our heartfelt congratulations to Molly-Mae and Tommy on the news of their pregnancy.
“Living with endometriosis when you want to have a family can be emotionally draining, especially when someone else announces their pregnancy - while you are delighted for them, this can also be a moment which increases your sadness at not having your own news to share."
She also reminds us that while endometriosis ‘is associated with fertility problems, this is not the case for everyone'.
“It is estimated that 60-70 percent of those with endometriosis can get pregnant spontaneously. Even with severe endometriosis, natural conception is still possible,” she explains.
Even if natural conception is difficult for those with the condition, there are fertility treatment options available like IVF - which Josephine is now on the waiting list for.
“I’ve started having tests to get ready for IVF. They’re putting my plan in place now,” she added, hopeful that she and her partner are now on the path to becoming parents one day.
If you have been affected by the contents of this article, please find more information and support via Endometriosis UK on their website, or call 0808 808 2227.
Featured Image Credit: @sarahmcletchiex/Instagram/MollyMae/YouTubeTopics: Celebrity, Real Life, Health, Parenting, Life
