Shirlie Kemp has revealed that a doctor told her to “get over” her endometriosis, despite it making her periods more painful than childbirth. In a new interview, the Pepsi & Shirlie singer, 61, has discussed her experiences with the medical condition, which made her periods so painful she was “bedridden” as a teenager. Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those in the uterus are found elsewhere in the body, leading to inflammation, pain and scar tissue. It affects approximately one in 10 women and people assigned female at birth in the UK. “I could have kissed the doctor who said, ‘You sound like you’ve got endometriosis,’” she told The Times. “From 16 I was bedridden when I had a period. I suffered horrendous pain.” Kemp – who is married to Spandau Ballet musician Martin Kemp – continued: “A male doctor said, ‘What a load of nonsense. She’ll get over it,’ and gave me tablets that made me vomit. I didn’t even know there was a private health system until I was in Wham!. “A private female doctor gave my symptoms a name. When I went into labour I thought, this is not as bad as a period.” When a person has endometriosis, the cells similar to those in the womb follow the menstrual cycle, building up and breaking down. However, the blood has no way to escape, with common symptoms including pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during or after sex, pain when urinating, painful bowel movements, fatigue and difficulty getting pregnant. Kemp says that she was told endometriosis could affect her fertility, saying: “My husband wasn’t ready to have a baby. He was a rock star. “When the doctor told me that endometriosis can affect your fertility, I said, ‘Martin, I’ve got to have a baby. I have a problem with my fertility.’” Kemp’s experience with doctors isn’t uncommon. In March, a study by charity Endometriosis UK found that three in four women and those assigned female at birth would not go to a doctor with potential endometriosis symptoms. Among those who are reluctant to see a doctor, 24 per cent said it was because they think painful periods are part of life, and 23 per cent didn’t think it was serious enough to bother a GP with. Read More Britney Spears shares first statement after ‘shock’ Sam Asghari divorce: ‘I couldn’t take the pain anymore’ Kid Rock spotted drinking Bud Light months after shooting up beer cases during transphobic rant From tofu chicken wings to chickpea bacon – how and why you should be making plant-based meat at home The 20 worst kinds of pain humans can experience Chrissy Teigen posts topless photo to remind fans to get mammograms Influencer Caleb Coffee hospitalised after falling off cliff in Hawaii

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With pumpkin season reaching a crescendo for Halloween celebrations (October 31), chances are you’re after a few spine-chilling party props to ward off evil spirits – and entertain friends and family. From decking out the house with ghoulish garlands, to casting a spell of witchcraft with candles and cushions, here’s what’s hot for a howling Halloween… 1. Black Twig Halloween Wreath with Bats, £22.49 (was £29.99), Halloween Garland Foliage Door Kit with Webbing & Hanging Bats, £52.49 (was £69.99), Ginger Ray. For a drop dead gorgeous doorscape, black twigs entwined with bats and framed by eerie foliage sets the scene for an evening of skulduggery. 2. Set of 3 Halloween Candle Lanterns, £5, (was £18), Studio. Don’t let your entrance hall be an afterthought… this terrifying trio can be styled on a staircase; otherwise place on a hallway table next to a trick or treat bucket of sweets and gruesome goodies. 3. Trick Or Treat Halloween Neon Wall Light, £59.99, Lights4fun. A standout light show is all part of the dramarama, and this neon flex features 190 orange LEDs which can be hooked up on a feature wall. Think a dedicated #halloweenbackdrop for costume parties. 4. Trick or Treat Mugs, £15 each, rest of items from a selection, Sophie Allport Whether it’s a witches brew, hauntingly good hot chocolate or pumpkin spice latte, these motif mugs are the perfect prop to elevate those warming drinks. 5. Pumpkin Ramekin, Cream, £10, Pumpkin Casserole Dish, £40, Set of 3 Paper Pumpkin Decorations, £10, rest of items from a selection, Next. From Halloween chili con carne with witches fingers (chipolata sausages topped with red peppers to resemble fingernails), to mini pumpkin pies, these dishes will dress up your tablescape. 6. Curzon Table Candle Holder, £28, rest of items from a selection, Garden Trading. Sometimes it only takes a striking centrepiece to steal the show… fill a Gothic-inspired candle holder with tapered orange candles and style with Halloween cupcakes. Job done. 7. LED Halloween Garland – Black, £11.99, Halloween Checkered Pumpkin, £2.99, rest of items from a selection, The Range. A fearsome fireplace is a great styling tool, but if you don’t have one, this garish garland can be draped along a windowsill or dining table. With skeletal hands, skulls and red roses, even the grim reaper might be on the guest list. 8. Very Home Set of 3 LED Slim Wax Candles Halloween Decoration, £11.99 (was £17.99), Very. Spooktacular black candles and cobwebs go hand in hand, and these tall pillars will cast shadows over dark and moody settings. 9. Happy Halloween Cushion – Black, £8.99, Hey Boo Embroidered Cushion, £8.99, Trick or Treat Cushion – White, £7.99, rest of items from a selection, The Range. Tailor-made for humorous Halloween settings, these scatter cushions are far from sinister. 10. Very Home Set of 4 Halloween LED Pumpkin Pathfinders, £10.99 (was £19.99), Very. To complete your costume drama, let trick or treaters be guided by these pumpkin pathfinders when darkness falls… and there’s only the light of the moon. Read More Black magic: Go back to black this season with the catwalk-inspired trend How to prep your home for when the clocks go back Menopause campaigner Mariella Frostrup: ‘I look forward to a future where women gradually stop feeling so ashamed’ More girls miss school and college due to their periods than colds, survey finds More girls miss school and college due to their periods than colds, survey finds How to look after your immune system as the weather changes

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