A woman who spent more than a decade in pain has led a "critically important" awareness event in the hopes of preventing suffering for future generations. 

Eastern Education Group held a sold out event in Bury St Edmunds as part of Endometriosis Awareness Month. 

Among the speakers was event organiser Amy Peckham-Driver, who has previously spoken about her own struggles to get a diagnosis and having to spend more than £20,000 on treatment for the condition.

Endometriosis is an inflammatory whole-body disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows on other organs including the lungs, heart, brain and bowels. 

East Anglian Daily Times: It took over 10 years for Amy to receive an endometriosis diagnosis. It took over 10 years for Amy to receive an endometriosis diagnosis. (Image: Amy Peckham Driver)

Miss Peckham-Driver, communications manager for Eastern Education Group, said: "I've wanted to host an event like this for such a long time. It's been an extremely long road for me, with my endometriosis symptoms starting at age 12.

"I wasn't officially diagnosed until I was 27 years old, meaning I suffered needlessly for years while medical professionals insisted that my severe period pain was 'normal'.

"Let me make this abundantly clear: severe period pain is not normal, despite what anyone may tell you, and it should never get in the way of you living your life.

"That's really what this event was about for me; equipping other people with the information I wish I'd had when I was younger, so they can advocate for themselves and confidently demand the help they need when it comes to their own health."

East Anglian Daily Times: The endometriosis awareness event was sold out.The endometriosis awareness event was sold out. (Image: Eastern Education Group)

Miss Peckham-Driver was joined by Kynleigh Parker and Gabrielle Pemberton who shared their own stories. 

Miss Parker, who is a student at West Suffolk College, spoke to those attending about taking the decision to freeze her eggs and have major surgery due to stage four endometriosis.

She said: "Having a chronic illness can be such a lonely place, and I want women to feel empowered by having the best possible knowledge about the condition they’re facing. I want my story to serve as an example that endometriosis doesn’t have to define your life and that things can get better, and I want other women to know that they’re never alone in any of this.”

Miss Peckham-Driver hopes after the sell out event to host another later in the year.