Emma Bunton has spoken about her struggles with endometriosis in a candid new interview, saying it "nearly broke" her.
The former Spice Girl, 43, recalled how she was told she had the painful condition in her twenties and how doctors said she might struggle to conceive.
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Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb begins to grow in other places such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
The most common symptoms include severe period pains, pain during intercourse, extreme bloating and difficulty getting pregnant.
"That nearly broke me, I knew I had the right partner and that I wanted to be a mum," the 'Wannabe' singer told Stella Magazine. "I didn't give up hope, it just wasn't happening."
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But things worked out for the singer as she fell pregnant while recording for the 2006 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The mum-of-two explained she took a call from her doctor after one of her performances who advised her to do a pregnancy test.
She then found out she was pregnant, and gave birth to son Beau Lee Jones in August 2007.
"I did a test straight away and I was. I have no idea whether it was doing all that exercise but I was so happy. Strictly got me pregnant," she added.
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Three years later, Emma fell pregnant again with her second son, Tate Lee Jones, in 2010.
According to Endometriosis UK, there are links between endometriosis and infertility, though natural conception is possible for sufferers.
Scarring caused by the condition can block the fallopian tubes or uterus making it harder for the sperm to meet the eggs.
Minimal to mild endometriosis sufferers have an almost normal chance of conception but some sufferers are infertile for unclear reasons, the charity says.
Bravo to Emma for speaking so openly on the condition.
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For support and advice on endometriosis, visit Endometriosis UK.
Topics: Endometriosis, Life News, Celebrity, Spice Girls, Health