Ayrshire’s first endometriosis support group will begin holding meetings for people suffering from the condition as of next week.

Meeting for the first time on Tuesday August 16 at 7pm in Irvine’s Volunteer Rooms, the group allows people with the condition to help each other through their physical and mental struggles.

Endometriosis UK runs the group, which is suitable not only for people with an official diagnosis but also offers support to those who suspect they may have endometriosis but are struggling to get a diagnosis.

The group’s leader, Julie Burns, said: “I became a member of the charity Endometriosis UK a good number of years ago and try hard to raise awareness, but I just suddenly realised that there wasn’t a support group in Ayrshire.

“My experience with endometriosis has certainly made me want to help younger women who need to be able to know the options available to them.

"There are examples of women having to go into chemical menopause in their twenties.

"We need more research on this condition which affects one in 10 women - that’s around 176 million women in the world.

“The group is all about providing that safe space for people who have the condition.”

Endometriosis is a long-term condition where cells like those found in the uterus grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, causing pain and even complications such as infertility.

The primary symptoms of endometriosis include having pain in your lower stomach or back which is usually worse during your period, period pain that stops you doing your normal activities, feeling sick or experiencing constipation, diarrhoea, or blood in your pee during your period, and having difficulty getting pregnant.

Julie, who is now aged 50, has been suffering with the condition since her teenage years, but did not receive a diagnosis until 28 years later when she was in her 40s.

On average, it can take seven years for someone suffering from the condition to receive a diagnosis.

The group is not able to help with any medical or legal advice for endometriosis sufferers.

You can contact the support group via email ayrshiregroup@endometriosis-uk.org or via their Facebook page.