Endometriosis: Julia Bradbury worried about fertility after being diagnosed in her thirties

‘I wanted to know if I could still have children’

Television presenter Julia Bradbury has opened up about her endometriosis diagnosis, saying that her "main concern" was whether or not she'd be able to have children.

Bradbury, best-known for co-presenting BBC One programme Countryfile from 2004 until 2014, was diagnosed with the condition in her thirties.

Today, the presenter spoke candidly about her diagnosis while appearing on ITV's Lorraine, describing it as a "global problem".

The 48-year-old explained to Lorraine Kelly that despite the fact she never experienced "debilitating symptoms", her endometriosis caused her to have heavy periods, monthly bouts of pain and moodiness.

"I was in my thirties. I didn't know that I had anything wrong," Bradbury said.

When a woman has endometriosis, the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus, can be found in other areas of the reproductive system, such as in and around the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

This can cause heavy, irregular and painful periods, pain and discomfort during or after sex, fatigue, painful bowel movements and infertility, Endometriosis UK explains.

Approximately one in 10 women suffer from endometriosis, affecting around 176 million women across the globe.

When Bradbury was informed of her diagnosis, she immediately wanted to know if she could still have children.

"One of the main impacts of endometriosis can be that it can impact your fertility,” she said. “That was the main concern for me."

The television presenter later gave birth to a son at the age of 40, and to twin girls at the age of 43 after undergoing five rounds of IVF.

Bradbury's condition was quickly identified as endometriosis, as she went to a specialist clinic.

However, for others suffering from the disorder, a diagnosis may not come about so quickly.

The average waiting time for an endometriosis diagnosis currently stands at seven and a half years, Endometriosis UK states.

Endometriosis sufferers waiting for a diagnosis could lose approximately £40,000 throughout that time period, due to time spent away from work.

The condition is estimated to cost the UK economy around £8.2bn on an annual basis due to time spent off work, treatment and healthcare costs.

"This is a global problem as well, it's happening all over the world," Bradbury said.

"It's not just [about] fertility - it's general health, it's the finances, it's everything. It's a big issue for us all to talk about."

For more information about endometriosis, visit Beyond the Invisible.