Kate Hardcastle was 21 when she developed symptoms doctors couldn't explain.

She had severe stomach and back pains and extreme fatigue. It took three years for them to eventually diagnose that she had endometriosis.

By then Kate's health had hit rock bottom as she took a mixture of drugs and painkillers to combat her different symptoms.

"In the end I was in hospital for two weeks. I was severely dehydrated and they were worried about my kidney and my liver," she says.

"I had read a magazine article about the condition and thought it fitted my symptoms, but the doctors dismissed it saying that I was too young."

Endometriosis usually affects women aged 25 to 40 and is caused by cells that usually line the womb being found elsewhere in the body. During the monthly cycle, these cells act like those in the womb, but unlike in a period where the cells come away, there is nowhere for them to go causing excruciating pain.

"I was actually relieved when the consultant told me I had endometriosis, at least I knew what I was dealing with," says Kate from Calderdale.

But then doctors told her that it may mean she would be infertile.

For Kate and her husband, it was devastating news.

"We had been trying for a family with no luck and now we knew why, but it was very hard to come to terms with the fact that we may never have children."

Kate still finds it hard to talk about that side of the condition and although her motto is "never say never" the couple are now considering adoption. There is no cure for endometriosis and doctors even tried to put Kate through the premature menopause to alleviate symptoms.

"It was terrible. I was 27, having hot flushes and feeling awful and yet I couldn't tell anyone at work. It was really hard."

Kate, now 31, is a marketing director for a furniture business and her working environment is male dominated.

"I just felt that I couldn't talk about my condition. I am not one to moan or go on about my problems."

Kate now uses more alternative remedies such as Star Flower oil and acupuncture, although when the pain gets really bad she still has to resort to pain killers.

In January, Kate, who is also a singer, decided that she would come clean about her condition. And despite the constant pain she has not allowed endometriosis to take over her life.

"You have to take positives out of everything," she says. "Last year I helped to organise a fundraiser for charities including the Stroke Association, after my grandma had a stroke."

Kate was surprised at the level of awareness such an event raised for the condition.

"I realised that I could do the same for endometriosis. I was still struggling to spell the condition let alone explain to people what it is."

So this very private person decided to go public. She contacted Endometriosis UK and said she wanted to organise a fundraising ball.

"They were overjoyed. They said no-one had ever held a big fundraiser for them before."

And so the first Butterfly Ball was born. Kate hopes it will be the first of many events across the country to not only raise money for the Endometriosis Helpline but also raise awareness about this complicated condition.

"People I had worked with for 15 years had no idea. They have all been very sympathetic, I still find it hard when people say 'does that mean you can't have kids' but I have to stay positive.

"I am still surprised by the number of people who say they think they may have it, or a relative had it. We need to raise awareness. It is a hidden illness, there is nothing to see, so it can be very hard."

The Butterfly Benefit takes place on Saturday, July 4 at the The Rock at Holywell Green, Halifax. For more information visit www.butte
rflybenefit.co.uk or call 07766 605645.


Facts about endometriosis

Endometriosis is where cells that usually line the womb are found elsewhere in the body.

Most women are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 40.

It can occur in several places in the body, most commonly the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, the bladder, the bowel, the intestines, the vagina and the rectum.

The cells go through the same monthly changes as the womb lining itself, swelling and bleeding into the body cavity.

In some women, endometriosis gets better on its own. But for most, it gets worse without treatment.

It can affect any woman of childbearing age, regardless of ethnicity. It can also run in families.

Treatment includes painkillers, hormonal medicines and in severe cases, surgery.

Some women find complementary treatments such as acupuncture, aromatherapy, herbal remedies and homeopathy are helpful.