Erin Brown, 29, has been battling the extremely painful, lifelong and under-recognised condition for nearly a decade.
A Scots firefighter has opened up on the 'physically and mentally' taxing chronic illness that left her bleeding through her work clothes. Erin Brown, Crew Commander at McDonald Road Community Fire Station in Edinburgh , has been grappling with the realities of endometriosis, a chronic and often misunderstood condition, for nearly 10 years.
The now 29-year-old was diagnosed with the painful chronic illness - where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it - in the same year she joined the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service , aged 20. Erin underwent surgery the same year she joined SFRS and returned to full duties shortly after. But a year later, when she joined the whole-time service , Erin was forced to take sick leave during intense and distressing flare-ups. On one occasion, she had to leave work after a job as she was bleeding so heavily that it was seeping through her uniform. Erin said: 'Endometriosis is physically and mentally taxing, and it’s so much more than just 'bad periods'. I was worried about training because I had just been diagnosed and was undergoing temporary menopause treatment. 'I didn’t know what adjustments I could ask for, and I worried that requesting light duties would make it seem like I couldn’t do my job.' Erin said she had to 'get comfortable with being uncomfortable' both in her body and in explaining her symptoms to colleagues in a male‑dominated environment as she was constantly on high alert for the next flare-up. In a physically demanding role, symptoms can be easily triggered, and Erin often worried about letting colleagues down when she is unable to carry out certain tasks or needs time off. She went on: 'I didn’t know how this would affect my role or my future, but I was incredibly fortunate to have an amazing watch commander and a supportive team around me. 'I’m committed to raising awareness within SFRS so women are not discouraged from pursuing careers here, and so colleagues better understand how this condition affects the people around them.' Erin moved into a training role last year after being promoted to Crew Commander which she says 'came at the right time'. And by sharing her story during Endometriosis Action Month , she hopes others will feel less pressure to justify their experiences. She went on: 'I was having a particularly difficult period with my endometriosis, and the training environment has offered far more flexibility for alternative duties. That support has made a significant difference.' It currently takes around nine years for a patient to receive a diagnosis for the condition, according to Endometriosis UK. There is currently no cure. Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE .
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