Annie Robertson goes into battle on a regular basis – and it’s against her body.
She is one of the estimated 1.5 million women in the UK living with endometriosis, a condition that’s had a huge impact on her life and career.
The 31-year-old, who serves with the Royal Artillery in Plymouth, has suffered numerous miscarriages and been through six surgeries – three in the space of a year – as well as a dozen general anaesthetics for other procedures. And like many women, she struggled for years to get a diagnosis.
She joined the Army 11 years ago, determined to enjoy it and make something of her life. She started noticing symptoms a couple of years later. “I knew something wasn’t right but I thought I could push on through,” she said.
It was only when a friend who had endometriosis recognised the symptoms that she realised they couldn’t be ignored.
Battle for diagnosis
But the struggle for a diagnosis had only just started. She was told it could be irritable bowel syndrome. One suggestion was to go on the pill, or that she could have a sexually transmitted infection.
Annie was urged to keep a stress diary in case that was the cause. “But I was in my early 20s, I didn’t have anything to be stressed about apart from the symptoms.”
She felt belittled by the whole experience. The symptoms were having a serious impact.
“One or two weeks of the month I’d be floored and I wouldn’t even be able to do up my uniform,” she explained.
“If I was on exercise while on my period I would be panicking about whether I could get enough painkillers.”
She loves sport and did her best not to let her condition stop her from taking part in Army sports, playing hockey and being part of the tug of war team for the Royal Artillery. She discovered a love of squash and won competitions.
But she missed out on some great career and sporting opportunities, often because she was undergoing treatment, having surgery or recovering. She started to worry that she was being seen as a problem, but at the same time, “I think it has made me a bit tougher, having to put up with nasty comments.”
Eventually Annie discovered she was suffering from three conditions – adenomyosis, endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Steadfast support
Her partner Michael, a sergeant in the same regiment, has been with her through much of it – sometimes missing out on his own career opportunities.
“He’s been really supportive,” she said. “He does get a bit upset because he gets it in the neck from me when I’m feeling poorly. He’s had to put up with a lot.
“He didn’t deploy to Australia last year. I know that was probably gutting for him and he missed out on Norway the year before. It has definitely affected him, and he doesn’t like seeing me in pain.”
In 2018 Annie suffered a ruptured ovarian cyst that put her in hospital over Christmas. She had emergency surgery on New Year’s Day. It was a year in which she suffered three miscarriages and several surgeries – and finally, a diagnosis of endometriosis. Then the Covid pandemic hit and when she was finally able to see a specialist, she found herself waiting in a long queue.
In 2022 she underwent surgery narrowly avoiding having a stoma bag fitted. And in 2023 she suffered another miscarriage before falling pregnant with Elsie.
To add to the family’s worries Elsie suffered sepsis when she was nine months and she’s still fighting serious infections. But she is a ray of sunshine for the couple. “She’s so happy and so clever,” said Annie. “She never lets illness get in the way.”
She’d like to try for another baby but if doesn’t happen, “I think I’d rather cut my losses and have a hysterectomy.”
But she stressed: “It’s not a cure and would not help me as my endometriosis is so widespread.”
More recently she’s had support from a GP with personal experience of adenomyosis and a hysterectomy. But her experience has been that such empathy and understanding are rare. “Sometimes I feel I can’t live like this. I don’t know how it’s not broken me.”
Quest to help others
Her experience and the difficult decisions she’s had to make as a result of her condition have prompted her to offer support to other servicewomen.
She’s been offered an opportunity to work with Endometriosis UK and hopes to encourage the Army to be part of the Endometriosis Friendly Employer Scheme. She’s contacted MPs and received a reply from The King after she wrote to him highlighting the issue.
“It’s had such a negative impact on my life and career and it’s so important women’s stories are heard, especially in a male dominant environment,” she said.
Annie also wants to offer a listening ear and support for others in the Army who are suffering – she can be reached on MODNET.
Endometriosis UK has a range of resources to provide information and help for women with the condition, from local support groups, an online community to a helpline and a symptom checker. endometriosis-uk.org