Married At First Sight UK star Lacey Martin has spoken out about her ongoing battle with endometriosis, which has caused her to suffer with severe period pain and heavy bleeding
Reality star Lacey Martin has opened up about her private struggle with a serious health condition that affected her time on Channel 4’s ‘Married At First Sight’. While viewers witnessed her initial connection with Nathan Campbell grow, the details of her health difficulties were not widely known.
“I had moments on set when I had my period and was really suffering with my endometriosis – sometimes that makes it hard to film,” she told OK! in an exclusive interview last year. “I felt so bloated and heavy and weak. At one point, I actually fainted on set – but the crew and production and medics were amazing, they came running.”
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where cells similar to those in the womb lining grow elsewhere in the body, according to the NHS. This can give rise to an array of painful symptoms including intense period pain, heavy bleeding, and pain during intercourse, taking a huge toll on everyday life.
Lacey, who was diagnosed at the age of 20, shared that it took doctors ‘four whole years’ to identify her condition, despite her insistence that something was seriously wrong. Now, the Hertfordshire-born reality star is determined to raise awareness and support for those affected by the disease.
Lacey said: “They kept offering me the implant, or different ways to help with my flow, but it wasn’t working with my body. I felt depressed, because it had an impact on my life, on my relationship at the time – he was like,’ Why do you keep bleeding, what’s going on?’ I felt lost in my own body, like nobody was listening to me.
“[…]I thought it was normal for years, but obviously it wasn’t! I had a boyfriend for 10 years and it would affect our relationship, because I would have pain during or after sex, severe period pain, pelvic pain, severe blood loss – I’ve lost jobs in the past due to sickness and hospital visits. Employers weren’t understanding at all.”
Endometriosis can make it difficult to conceive a child, but fortunately, doctors have told Lacey that she still can. While this may require going down the IVF route, she claimed that receiving this update was ‘amazing’.
“I’ve spoken to my twin Paige for years about my worries, I also thought men might not even want to be with me, if I couldn’t have kids,” she continued. “And she’s actually said she would carry a baby for me, which is just incredible. She’s like my right arm and she said, should I ever need it, who knows – she would carry a child for me. She’s my best friend.”
Lacey is no longer in a relationship with Nathan, 24, from MAFS but the pair saw each other again at last night’s reunion show. This is now available to watch on Channel 4’s online streaming service.
If you’re concerned you might have endometriosis, the NHS’ full list of symptoms are below
- Extreme fatigue
- Pain in the lower back or stomach
- Struggles with moods or anxiety
- Intensified period pain that stops you from doing everyday tasks/activities
- Heavy periods, where you need to change pads or tampons every one to two hours, or you may bleed through to your clothes
- Pain when urinating or pooing
- Pain after or during sex
