The woman who lost her kidneys, uterus, as well as part of her vagina and intestines due to endometriosis urged others to fight to diagnose what she called a "silent assassin."

Stacey, 47, of Leeds, began developing symptoms of the disease 25 years ago, but was not confirmed until 2010.

In 2022, she had a complete hysterectomy that could remove the ovaries and uterus, but the disease recovered and she underwent robotic surgery after being told the right kidney failed in the second half of last year.

Stacey said she is doing well now, and he urged other women to have any concerns: "Don't ignore it, listen to your body, and go and ask for help."

Endometriosis is a type of cells similar to the lining of the uterus, usually in other parts of the body, usually in the pelvic area.

Symptoms include severe pain and heavy periods, which are the condition in about 1.5 million women in the UK.

Stacey said her urologist told her that she might have had kidney failure for six months before the latest surgery in November.

"But I was not in pain, I was not infected, I had no hint that there was anything wrong with that kidney, so this was a silent assassin."

Stacey performed a robotic surgery in the Leeds General Infirmary in November 2024, with one of the doctors from three disciplines involved the surgery.

It was done using a robot with four robotic arms and took four hours to complete. Stacey was discharged the next day.

James Tibbott, clinical director of gynecology at Leeds Teaching Hospital, had Stacey’s surgery, and her condition before the surgery was “in the best way, something nightmare.”

"Stacee's disease is very interesting because there is a lesion in the intestine that passes through the thickness of the vagina and then sweeps over the right to get out the correct kidney," he explained.

Mr. Tibot said that keyhole surgery on Stacey was "almost impossible, or would take the whole day to operate".

Aimee Bulloch, 29, of Liversedge, underwent robotic surgery at Leeds Teaching Hospital last November, after first developing symptoms of endometriosis at the age of 14.

Ms. Bulloch's mother was also in ill, and he said: "I watched my mom go through the same thing, so I got a brief understanding of what could be.

"It comes down to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Someone told me that it's normal for a period of pain and I'll grow out of it, but the older I'm, it'll get worse."

Ms. Bloch said she eventually found herself “struggling in basic physical functions.”

"It's hard to get to the toilet. I can't get out without knowing where the toilet will be. The pain is outrageous."

Ms. Bulloch's endometriosis ultimately affected her intestine, appendix and left ovary.

After undergoing robotic surgery at Leeds Teaching Hospital, she said she was much better and she believed her fertility was not affected.

The Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust has just been granted temporary status by the British Society of Gynecological Endoscope as a treatment centre for endometriosis.

Mr. Tibot said the use of robotic operating rooms is getting treatment for more patients, such as Stacey and Ms. Bulloch - who are recovering faster.

In fact, he has recently been able to perform surgery on six patients in just one day, he said.

Stacey and Ms. Bulloch met for the first time recently.

They say they perform well and although there is no cure for endometriosis at present, they hope to be well managed in the future.

Stacey said her first priority was to keep her kidney healthy.

She said any woman who is worried about endometriosis should act as soon as possible.

"Don't ignore it. Listen to your body and ask for help," she said.

“Read the GP carefully. If you are not satisfied with your consultation, try again with someone else.

"Continue to beat the drums. You have to advocate for yourself."