Baby Ben was born even though his mother had endometriosis

Leigh Sands, 30, from Arnold in Nottinghamshire, has endometriosis, which can cause inflammation, pain and infertility.

She was diagnosed at 17, but finally gave birth naturally to a boy in June.

She is now campaigning for more research into the disease which affects two million women in the UK.

No cure

The condition results from cells like the ones in the lining of the womb growing outside and causing painful inflammation.

ENDOMETRIOSIS SYMPTOMS Pain before and during periods Pain with sex Fatigue Diarrhoea, constipation, nausea Painful urination during periods

"When you are initially diagnosed and you realise it can cause infertility - I think you get into a mental state and stressed and think: 'I am not going to have a baby'," she said.

Her mother Lynnette Broadley, said: "All her friends were out enjoying themselves and she was in pain - she just wanted to sleep the pain away so she tucked up in bed at nine at night while they were out."

There is no cure to the condition and no known cause.

Another woman in South Normanton, Derbyshire, who also suffers from endometriosis has spent a lot of time off work and dealt with pain and fainting.

CONSTANT PAIN No-one should have to be in pain every day of their lives Lottie Bradford's husband Carl

Lottie Bradford said: "It makes you very fatigued and sporting activities that I was involved in before - I have had to give them up."

Mrs Bradford says homeopathic medicines help her condition and she is not giving up.

She plans to trek up Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa to raise money for more research into the condition.

Her husband Carl said: "She is in pain every day - she has learned to cope with that, but no-one should have to be in pain every day of their lives."