A mum with bloating so severe she looked pregnant says she can finally wear what she wants after cutting four things from her diet. 

Helen Hughes, a counsellor from Staffordshire, spent 12 years in pain due to crippling endometriosis. 

After a full hysterectomy the 48-year-old finally thought her years of agony were behind her. 

But the mum-of-two says her life was put on hold as she would often suffer from severe bloating, itchy skin and itchy eyes - symptoms she initially put down to endometriosis and a subsequent surgical menopause. 

Helen’s bloating was so bad she would have to pack spare clothes when she went out in case her stomach would swell. 

She eventually took a food intolerance test with Supply Life who identified she should steer clear of foods including cow’s milk, almonds, eggs and peas. 

Helen said: “My endometriosis came out of the blue after I had both of my daughters. It took a while to be diagnosed, which is common. I had lots of symptoms like bloating, I was in a lot of pain, I was very lethargic and gradually it got worse and worse.”

Helen, who works as a counsellor in secondary schools, eventually had a full hysterectomy at the age of just 45 with the aim of finally removing all traces of endometriosis. 

The surgery had a number of complications and resulted in an emergency eight-hour procedure. 

Helen said: “I can talk about it without crying now but it was very traumatic. When I came home I couldn’t do anything. I was thrown into a surgical menopause and I was still having symptoms. I was so uncomfortable.”

Helen says she has always known she was sensitive to cow’s milk but eventually took a food intolerance test to see if her diet was playing a part in her symptoms. 

She said: “I kept having reactions to food and drinks but I never knew what was causing it. I put a lot down to going into the menopause. 

“Whenever I was going out I had to take a spare outfit because I looked pregnant when I bloated up. We all put it down to endometriosis. 

“I was having to take antihistamines all the time. My eyes would get really itchy and my skin would be too. Itchy skin can be a symptom of the menopause.

“I eventually did a Supply Life test in October last year and it came back with all the things I’m intolerant to like cow’s milk, eggs, peas and almonds. I ate almonds all the time. I would have almond butter and almond milk. I would eat peas and eggs all the time too. It all slotted into place.”

After a consultation with Supply Life’s nutritionists Helen changed her diet and removed her ‘trigger’ foods. She says she now feels like she’s regained her life. 

Helen said: “It’s made a huge difference. I can go out and have a meal and know the things to avoid. I don’t have to take a spare dress anymore. 

“After going through years with endometriosis and then the surgery I felt like my life had been on hold. Now I go out lots more and I’ve been able to lose weight. I follow a clean diet and when I go out I know what to ask for and what to avoid. 

“I can still live my life and if I eat something I’m intolerant to, it’s not the end of the world. I wish I’d taken the test sooner.”

Helen is now aiming to help others by establishing a counselling service for women struggling with endometriosis and the menopause.