Welcome to Endometriosis South Coast

We are an inclusive charity supporting people who are going through the diagnosis stages of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis or have been diagnosed with the conditions.

Our Research

Fundraising

Get Involved

Free Resources

Online Support

Research the Condition

About Endometriosis South Coast

Endometriosis South Coast – charity number 1186203 – is an inclusive charity set up to support people who haven’t started their diagnosis journey, are going through the diagnosis stages, or have been diagnosed with Endometriosis and/or Adenomyosis. We are also here for friends, family, and cheerleaders of the people that have to jump through hoops to get started on the diagnosis pathway.

We aim to create a safe space for all people with the condition regardless of race, gender, or religion. This disease does not discriminate and neither do the people who run this charity.

We intend to spread awareness through a variety of campaigns, utilising our following on social media, and in-person community groups and events. We also actively fundraise to enable us to help as many people as possible with support and resources.

Support Groups

We hold in-person support groups usually around the 1st Saturday of every month. We often invite a guest speaker to talk about different topics, for example; fertility massage, essential oils and mental health services in the area. Find out when the next one is on our Events page.

Online Support

We have a support group on Facebook with lot of members. You are welcome to ask questions, exchange advice, and chat with people in a similar situation. Find us here.

Social Media

We are available on most social media sites, with new content being updated all the time. So, if you haven’t already, come join us! The links are at the top of the page.

We are also members of a few platforms that donate money to us through shopping online. Visit our Support Us page

1 in 10 people are diagnosed with Endometriosis.

1 in 10 people are diagnosed with Endometriosis.

We expect that, as awareness for the condition increases, so will prevalence rates.

This condition is an under funded and under treated area of health, and that needs to change.

Team members

Jodie Hughes AfN, Bsc, MSc
Chair of Trustees Endometriosis South Coast, Research advisor

Endometriosis care research PhD student at Roehampton University

Headshot image of Jodie Hughes

Jodie is the founder of Endometriosis South Coast and the Chair of Trustees. She has also started her PhD at University of Roehampton London, that is researching the differences in care of Endometriosis patients.

Jodie was diagnosed with Endometriosis at the age of 29 after struggling with heavy, painful periods since the age of 11. Whilst she was so young, she was told by her doctors and family that it was just the way that women in the family suffered and it was just something to get on with and put on the contraceptive pill.

It wasn’t until Jodie had her son (after multiple miscarriages) and her symptoms returned worse than they were before she was put on the pill that she sought the help of a new doctor and the word Endometriosis was mentioned, that any of the symptoms made sense. The fatigue was crippling (later diagnosed with M.E/CFS too) and the bleeding and pain were unbelievable. Many made her feel like she was absolutely crazy. The new doctor made a referral to the BSGE accredited centre at QA Hospital in Portsmouth where she met Dr Guyer who really listened to what she had to say for the very first time. He agreed that from the symptoms that were presenting that laparoscopic surgery was needed to confirm a diagnosis. During this surgery Jodie was diagnosed with Superficial Endometriosis (symptoms do not correlate with diagnostic wording). Unfortunately, the operation only had Jodie pain free for 2 months, so the Prostap injection was used to put Jodie into the medical menopause which worked so fantastically that she made the decision to have a hysterectomy at the age of 32. “This was possibly one of the best decisions I had ever made, I still has a monthly “cycle” due to becoming super aware of how her body works, and still has some pain and bleeding. But I now have more of a life than ever before”

Because of this journey Jodie lost her career as a chef and decided to apply for uni (with no GCSE’s) she got accepted and completed her Health and Nutrition Bachelor’s degree with honours after writing a dissertation on stress levels of women in Portsmouth with Endometriosis. She then went on to complete her Health Sciences Master’s degree with a first-class pass after writing her dissertation on the same topic as her undergrad degree but on almost a thousand women across the globe.

Finally, Jodie has started a research PhD that is investigating the relationship between endometriosis care and various factors that may affect it by way of

Comparison of health-related quality of life outcomes in patients with endometriosis of different ethnicities.

Comparison of health-related quality of life outcomes in patients with endometriosis by region in the UK.

Comparison of health-related quality of life outcomes in patients with endometriosis being treated at British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE) accredited gynaecological centres vs standard gynaecological centres.

Investigation of the lived experience of endometriosis by qualitative measures.

Jodie’s story is one that is not uncommon in people that have Endometriosis, “it is truly disheartening to know that so many people are suffering due to the lack of education surrounding a disease that affects so many”

Jodie’s friendship and love of the trustees is what urged her to ask them to get involved in the charity. “Each one of the trustees brings a particular skill set that makes the charity a diverse and inclusive space, that can spread up to date information. It also ensures that we can help as many people as possible”

Robyn Gentle
Trustee Endometriosis South Coast, Medical advisor

Nurse

Robyn Gentle

I am a nurse with 12 years experience in the medical field.

I was diagnosed with mild Endometriosis via laparoscopy in 2013 following 2 years of unexplained pain and random bleeding.

In the 7 years since diagnosis, I have tried multiple forms of contraceptive pill, coils, injections, scans and eventually a second surgery in 2018 that reclassified me as severe. An MRI in the same year diagnosed me with Endometriosis horrible sister, Adenomyosis.

I still suffer regular pain and bleeding but this has been better managed in recent years through drastic lifestyle changes and being kinder to myself on this journey.

I jumped at the chance to be on the board of trustees of Endometriosis South Coast because

1. I believe its an honour and a privilege to work alongside someone like Jodie who is super passionate about the disease and the people it affects and

2. Because I think it’s highly important that not only do we have access to the best information and knowledge so as better to educate ourselves but also to be able to provide the support that we so desperately need.

Endometriosis South Coast is not only here to support people through an often long and difficult diagnosis process but in the years afterwards too. On top of that wonderful support and the safe space that Jodie and Endometriosis South Coast have created, the charity is committed to educating people on the realities of the condition and that is something I believe is incredibly important.

Steff Moore
Trustee Endometriosis South Coast, Education advisor

Primary School Teacher

Steff Moore

Hello! 🙂 I’m a full time primary school teacher. I am currently in my seventh year of teaching and work in a community school in a coastal village.

I met Jodie about a while ago when I attended the support group she was running at the time. I have attended almost every group since and look forward to the meeting every month! The group has offered me an immense amount of support as Jodie has established such a welcoming and safe environment.

I was diagnosed at 28 after 15 years of ‘unexplained’ pain which was either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as various things over the years. I had been in and out of doctors’ offices, gynaecology wards and pain clinics begging with them to look at all my problems as a whole and not the separate parts. I had/have pain in the pelvis, abdomen, shoulder and ribs as well as fatigue. When I was diagnosed, it was a relief to know there was one cause of many problems and it had a name. Even up until the day of my surgery, the gynaecologists did not believe I had endo. My surgery has been moved to autumn this year to finally improve things – I can’t wait for them to remove the endo, DIE and adhesions sticking so much together. Keeping my fingers crossed

Being a trustee of Endometriosis South Coast means an incredible amount to me and I am honoured to be working with such phenomenal women. I have an endo fire in my belly and I’m passionate about driving it forward and making it into something good! It excites me to think that I can be a part of endometriosis and health education so others don’t have the same loooong journey to diagnosis and treatment I, and so many others, have.

Jessica Meddick
Trustee Endometriosis South Coast

Project Manager Mental Health UK

Jessica meddick

Jessie is an endometriosis advocate through her Instagram page livingwith_endo. She set this up last summer during Zoladex treatment.

Jessie was diagnosed with endometriosis when she was 21 after years of bad periods, pains and flooding. she has since had the disease come back and spread multiple times resulting in three laparoscopies, each two years after the last. After exhausting all treatment including Zoladex treatment which puts the body into early onset menopause, Jessie now speaks out about her journey. She is determined to break down the stigma around periods and bleeding and provide awareness and education for all young women suffering/ potentially suffering or supporting someone with endometriosis. She is also determined to normalise the conversation around mental health and endometriosis.

Jessie is 26 living in London and has a full-time job working for a charity in North London. She is so excited to be part of the Endo south coast team as a trustee and can’t wait to make a difference.

Kate Dunstone
Social Media and Marketing Trustee, Endometriosis South Coast

Head of Marketing at the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare

In June 2021, we welcomed Kate Dunstone as our new Social Media Trustee. Kate’s role is to assist with the development and updating of content on the Endometriosis South Coast website, maintain our presence across our social accounts, and other PR and Marketing related duties to continue to raise awareness. Kate works as Head of Marketing at a London-based charity for her ‘day job’.

Living with her husband, two small children (and cat!) on Hayling Island, life is busy but Kate says she found her ‘calling’ when the position of Social Media Trustee was advertised, “I always hoped to become a charity trustee one day – bringing my marketing skills, and experiences with women’s health issues together. I was so inspired by Jodie and the Endometriosis Southcoast Facebook Support group – this role felt like the right fit. I can’t wait to get started!”.

Katrina Papadopoulos
Volunteer supporter
katrina papadopoulos

Katrina is a Casting Associate based in London and originally from Sydney, Australia. She is determined to change the narrative of mainstream media and get across to the world the truth and realities about living with Endometriosis.

Katrina was diagnosed at age 24 with Stage 4 Endometriosis after ten years of doctors telling her ‘Periods hurts, that is just the way it is.”

Katrina had her first Laparoscopy in 2018, ‘I was so incredibly relieved to find out I wasn’t crazy!’ Her uterus was fused to her bowels and doctors were able to remove a significant amount of Endometrial tissue during the procedure.

Now, Katrina is on a journey to find whatever it is that helps her to relieve her Endo pain. She is always passionate about trying new things. While Katrina has had all of her treatment for Endometriosis in Australia, she is extremely interested in learning more about the systems of treatment within the UK and raising awareness in any way possible.

Katrina became an Ambassador for Endometriosis South Coast after being so amazed by the incredible work done by Jodie Hughes and all the trustees of the charity. Katrina couldn’t help but bombard Jodie with emails because she was so excited to be involved.

​

Katrina’s goal is to work as hard as possible to ensure that Endometriosis becomes as well known as other chronic illnesses. She is also always happy to talk to everyone and anyone about Endo, ‘We are all in this together and I think there is such a strong bond between us all who suffer, lets all laugh and complain about it together!’.

Katrina is currently working on some very exciting projects on Endometriosis and can’t wait to share these developments with the supporters of Endometriosis South Coast.

Spinnaker Tower lit in yellow with yellow endo south coast logo

Team members

Jodie Hughes AfN, Bsc, MSc

Chair of trustees Endometriosis South Coast, Research advisor

Endometriosis care research PhD student at Roehampton University

Headshot image of Jodie Hughes

Jodie is the founder of Endometriosis South Coast and the Chair of Trustees. She has also started her PhD at University of Roehampton London, that is researching the differences in care of Endometriosis patients.

Jodie was diagnosed with Endometriosis at the age of 29 after struggling with heavy, painful periods since the age of 11. Whilst she was so young, she was told by her doctors and family that it was just the way that women in the family suffered and it was just something to get on with and put on the contraceptive pill.

It wasn’t until Jodie had her son (after multiple miscarriages) and her symptoms returned worse than they were before she was put on the pill that she sought the help of a new doctor and the word Endometriosis was mentioned, that any of the symptoms made sense. The fatigue was crippling (later diagnosed with M.E/CFS too) and the bleeding and pain were unbelievable. Many made her feel like she was absolutely crazy. The new doctor made a referral to the BSGE accredited centre at QA Hospital in Portsmouth where she met Dr Guyer who really listened to what she had to say for the very first time. He agreed that from the symptoms that were presenting that laparoscopic surgery was needed to confirm a diagnosis. During this surgery Jodie was diagnosed with Superficial Endometriosis (symptoms do not correlate with diagnostic wording). Unfortunately, the operation only had Jodie pain free for 2 months, so the Prostap injection was used to put Jodie into the medical menopause which worked so fantastically that she made the decision to have a hysterectomy at the age of 32. “This was possibly one of the best decisions I had ever made, I still has a monthly “cycle” due to becoming super aware of how her body works, and still has some pain and bleeding. But I now have more of a life than ever before”

Because of this journey Jodie lost her career as a chef and decided to apply for uni (with no GCSE’s) she got accepted and completed her Health and Nutrition Bachelor’s degree with honours after writing a dissertation on stress levels of women in Portsmouth with Endometriosis. She then went on to complete her Health Sciences Master’s degree with a first-class pass after writing her dissertation on the same topic as her undergrad degree but on almost a thousand women across the globe.

Finally, Jodie has started a research PhD that is investigating the relationship between endometriosis care and various factors that may affect it by way of

Comparison of health-related quality of life outcomes in patients with endometriosis of different ethnicities.

Comparison of health-related quality of life outcomes in patients with endometriosis by region in the UK.

Comparison of health-related quality of life outcomes in patients with endometriosis being treated at British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE) accredited gynaecological centres vs standard gynaecological centres.

Investigation of the lived experience of endometriosis by qualitative measures.

Jodie’s story is one that is not uncommon in people that have Endometriosis, “it is truly disheartening to know that so many people are suffering due to the lack of education surrounding a disease that affects so many”

Jodie’s friendship and love of the trustees is what urged her to ask them to get involved in the charity. “Each one of the trustees brings a particular skill set that makes the charity a diverse and inclusive space, that can spread up to date information. It also ensures that we can help as many people as possible”

Robyn Gentle

Trustee Endometriosis South Coast, Medical advisor Nurse

Robyn Gentle

I am a 30 year old nurse with 12 years experience in the medical field.

I was diagnosed with mild Endometriosis via laparoscopy in 2013 following 2 years of unexplained pain and random bleeding.

In the 7 years since diagnosis, I have tried multiple forms of contraceptive pill, coils, injections, scans and eventually a second surgery in 2018 that reclassified me as severe. An MRI in the same year diagnosed me with Endometriosis horrible sister, Adenomyosis.

I still suffer regular pain and bleeding but this has been better managed in recent years through drastic lifestyle changes and being kinder to myself on this journey.

I jumped at the chance to be on the board of trustees of Endometriosis South Coast because

1. I believe its an honour and a privilege to work alongside someone like Jodie who is super passionate about the disease and the people it affects and

2. Because I think it’s highly important that not only do we have access to the best information and knowledge so as better to educate ourselves but also to be able to provide the support that we so desperately need.

Endometriosis South Coast is not only here to support people through an often long and difficult diagnosis process but in the years afterwards too. On top of that wonderful support and the safe space that Jodie and Endometriosis South Coast have created, the charity is committed to educating people on the realities of the condition and that is something I believe is incredibly important.

Steff Moore

Trustee Endometriosis South Coast, Education advisor

Primary School Teacher

Steff Moore

Hello! 🙂 I’m 29 and a full time primary school teacher. I am currently in my seventh year of teaching and work in a community school in a coastal village.

I met Jodie about a year ago when I attended the support group she was running at the time. I have attended almost every group since and look forward to the meeting every month! The group has offered me an immense amount of support as Jodie has established such a welcoming and safe environment.

I was diagnosed at 28 after 15 years of ‘unexplained’ pain which was either undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as various things over the years. I had been in and out of doctors’ offices, gynaecology wards and pain clinics begging with them to look at all my problems as a whole and not the separate parts. I had/have pain in the pelvis, abdomen, shoulder and ribs as well as fatigue. When I was diagnosed, it was a relief to know there was one cause of many problems and it had a name. Even up until the day of my surgery, the gynaecologists did not believe I had endo. My surgery has been moved to autumn this year to finally improve things – I can’t wait for them to remove the endo, DIE and adhesions sticking so much together. Keeping my fingers crossed 🤞🤞🤞

Being a trustee of Endometriosis South Coast means an incredible amount to me and I am honoured to be working with such phenomenal women. I have an endo fire in my belly and I’m passionate about driving it forward and making it into something good! It excites me to think that I can be a part of endometriosis and health education so others don’t have the same loooong journey to diagnosis and treatment I, and so many others, have.

Jessica Meddick

Grants and Funds Trustee Endometriosis South Coast

 

Senior Membership and Insight Officer at Charity Finance Group

Jessica meddick

Jessie is an endometriosis advocate through her Instagram page livingwith_endo. She set this up last summer during Zoladex treatment.

Jessie was diagnosed with endometriosis when she was 21 after years of bad periods, pains and flooding. she has since had the disease come back and spread multiple times resulting in three laparoscopies, each two years after the last. After exhausting all treatment including Zoladex treatment which puts the body into early onset menopause, Jessie now speaks out about her journey. She is determined to break down the stigma around periods and bleeding and provide awareness and education for all young women suffering/ potentially suffering or supporting someone with endometriosis. She is also determined to normalise the conversation around mental health and endometriosis.

Jessie is 26 living in London and has a full-time job working for a charity in North London. She is so excited to be part of the Endo south coast team as a trustee and can’t wait to make a difference.
Kate Dunstone
Social Media Trustee Endometriosis South Coast

Marketing Manager at the University of Portsmouth

In June, we welcomed Kate Dunstone as our new Social Media Trustee. Kate’s role will be to assist with the devlopment and updating of content on the Endo Southcoast website, maintain our presence across our social accounts, and other PR and Marketing related duties to continue to raise awareness. Kate works as a Marketing Manager at the University of Portsmouth.

Living with her husband, two small children (and cat!) on Hayling Island, life is busy but Kate says she found her ‘calling’ when the position of Social Media Trustee was advertised, “I always hoped to become a charity trustee one day – bringing my marketing skills, and experiences with women’s health issues together. I was so inspired by Jodie and the Endometriosis Southcoast Facebook Support group – this role felt like the right fit. I can’t wait to get started!”.
Katrina Papadopoulos
Social Media Trustee Endometriosis South Coast

Marketing Manager at the University of Portsmouth

katrina papadopoulos

Katrina is a Casting Associate based in London and originally from Sydney, Australia. She is determined to change the narrative of mainstream media and get across to the world the truth and realities about living with Endometriosis.

Katrina was diagnosed at age 24 with Stage 4 Endometriosis after ten years of doctors telling her ‘Periods hurts, that is just the way it is.”

Katrina had her first Laparoscopy in 2018, ‘I was so incredibly relieved to find out I wasn’t crazy!’ Her uterus was fused to her bowels and doctors were able to remove a significant amount of Endometrial tissue during the procedure.

Now, Katrina is on a journey to find whatever it is that helps her to relieve her Endo pain. She is always passionate about trying new things. While Katrina has had all of her treatment for Endometriosis in Australia, she is extremely interested in learning more about the systems of treatment within the UK and raising awareness in any way possible.

Katrina became an Ambassador for Endometriosis South Coast after being so amazed by the incredible work done by Jodie Hughes and all the trustees of the charity. Katrina couldn’t help but bombard Jodie with emails because she was so excited to be involved.

​

Katrina’s goal is to work as hard as possible to ensure that Endometriosis becomes as well known as other chronic illnesses. She is also always happy to talk to everyone and anyone about Endo, ‘We are all in this together and I think there is such a strong bond between us all who suffer, lets all laugh and complain about it together!’.

Katrina is currently working on some very exciting projects on Endometriosis and can’t wait to share these developments with the supporters of Endometriosis South Coast.

Natasha Carey
Ambassador to Endometriosis South Coast
natasha carey

Natasha aged 34 first found herself in Southampton General after being rushed into A&E in 2018. After seven days in hospital, tests, and scans she had an emergency laparoscopy.

She found out that she had an ovarian cyst that had burst, but the fluid had not dispersed and had pocketed in her pelvis which was what was causing such pain. This was then the beginning of a long and still ongoing painful journey.
Following on from this the doctors fitted a contraceptive coil to alleviate periods meaning that the monthly cycle shouldn’t be so painful.
After many visits back and forth to the doctors and hospital visits through not being able to manage the pain Natasha then had another laparoscopy in 2019 at the Royal South Hants hospital this was a very successful and endometriosis was found and diagnosed. Scar tissue from the original laparoscopy was removed as well as more cysts.

Finally this year 2021 she had her third laparoscopy, in Princess Ann, again endometriosis and scar tissue was removed.

Natashas reason for wanting to become an ambassador for the endometriosis south coast charity’s work is absolutely paramount to helping us all on our journey, Natasha doesn’t want anybody to suffer on their own or in silence or feeling alone.

Natasha would like to support not only the trustees in the work that they do, but to raise awareness of endometriosis and also her ear is always open to anybody that should need a chat.

We are not alone.

Endo siblings we will get ourselves heard and get more awareness to the world about our condition.

​