WOODBRIDGE: When restaurateur Amy Melhuish was just 14 years old she started suffering from a condition that would change her life forever.

It took doctors 13 years to discover she had endometriosis – where small pieces of the womb lining (the endometrium) are found outside the womb.

It can be an extremely painful and debilitating condition and can impact on a woman’s life in a number of ways including fatigue, bowel issues, problems with relationships, depression, and in some cases causes an inability to conceive.

Miss Melhuish, who owns The Moorish Lounge in Woodbridge, is determined to raise awareness about the condition, which affects approximately two million women in the UK alone.

A special Sex and The City evening was held at her Mezze lounge-cafe, bringing a touch of Hollywood glamour to the town.

Around 200 people turned out for the event and raised more than �2,000 for charities Endometriosis UK and Women for Women.

Miss Melhuish, now 31, who opened The Moorish Lounge around seven months ago, said: “It is a very painful condition and debilitating on a daily basis to varying degrees.

“I have had various drug treatments including pseudo-menopause and pseudo-pregnancy, a couple of operations and I am due for another one in the autumn.

“I didn’t work for two-and-a-half years as a result and lost everything. It’s hard not to become alienated because it also affected my normal daily routines and relationships – including friendships and work schedules.

“It affects a woman’s sexuality and fertility which are often taboo subjects.”

Miss Melhuish, who is now hoping to set up a support group at The Moorish Lounge for people with endometriosis, said she would like to thank everyone who supported last week’s event – which included 60 companies providing sponsorship and raffle prizes.

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