A young woman who was born with two wombs has sacrificed her chances of having children by having a double hysterectomy to be pain-free this Christmas.
Kathyrn Cozens, who had two cervixes and two wombs, each with an ovary and a vagina, has suffered from a rare condition known as uterus didelphys since she was 13.
Earlier this year, the business owner was diagnosed with endometriosis after suffering with crippling pains in her lower abdomen and severe bleeding for more than a decade.
Kathryn from Cinderford, Gloucester, said she underwent the procedure as "a last resort".
She said: "I haven't felt this excited about Christmas since I was a teenager.
"A hysterectomy was the last resort and it breaks my heart that I will never have children, but I feel better now that I am not heavily bleeding all the time.
"Usually I have to solider through dinner and spend more of the day buckled over in pain from the endometriosis.
"I am now able to physically purchase presents rather than shop online whilst in bed.
"I am most looking forward to helping out with the cooking, drinking and laughing with my family.
Kathryn said she suffered with excruciating period pains since she was 12.
She adds: "I was very ill and always missing school, but doctors would dismiss my mum and assumed she was a hypochondriac.
"I tried all types of contraceptive pills to control my periods and I had the implant for eight years, but nothing ever helped.
"My condition got worse and I bled for basically the whole of 2018, with a week break here and there.
"I had to become self-employed due to the amount of jobs I had lost by calling in sick."
She was diagnosed with endometriosis in January this year but was unable to have ablation - a procedure that surgically destroys the lining of your uterus - due to both cervix's' being extremely close.
A family member, who does not wish to be named, pays for Kathryn's private health insurance with Benenden - who covered the cost of the hysterectomy.
Although Kathryn is still recovering - she can finally carry out day to day tasks such as shopping and cooking without pain.
She said: "I felt so unhygienic and depressed.
"Endometriosis has affected all aspects of my life but now I can finally socialise and enjoy life with my friends and family.
"I don't think there is enough knowledge about uterus didelphys and endometriosis, so I have been made to feel like a bit of a guinea pig.
"But thankfully I am finally pain-free and can get on with my life again.
"I will most definitely consider adoption in the future!"
