Coronation Street star Kate Ford opens up about painful battle with endometriosis

Coronation Street actress Kate Ford has opened up her battle with endometriosis, after revealing she was left bedbound by the painful condition.

Taking to Twitter to share her plight, the 41-year-old – who plays feisty Tracey Barlow in the hit soap – wrote:

‘To all those other women suffering from #endometriosis i feel your pain. All plans cancelled for today and I’m off to bed.’

Fans were quick to respond to the above post, sharing their sympathies with the actress.

One wrote: ‘Unbearable pain. Hysterectomy sorted me out. Take care.’

While another added: ‘Literally my life!!!’ So glad that someone like you speaks so openly about it. it seems a bit of a taboo subject at times’.

A third offered up some advice by writing: ‘Be kind to yourself , it’s not your fault . May your hot water bottle stay warm, and your pain ease away.’

The star first revealed she suffered from the chronic condition at the start of last year, Tweeting her support to US singer Halsey – a fellow sufferer – alongside a link to a BBC article covering the story.

At the time she wrote: ‘US singer Halsey is recovering from multiple operations to treat endometriosis. I suffer from this it’s not easy.’

One in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK suffer from endometriosis – where tissue found within the womb develops outside of the uterus - with incidences of endometriosis in women with infertility as high as 30-50 per cent.

Kate, however, has a son Otis, 10, from her relationship with ex-husband Jon Connerty. The pair separated in 2013, just six years after tying the knot.

The causes of endometriosis are unknown, and there is no definitive cure, although a range of treatments are available to reduce the severity of symptoms, which include extreme fatigue and long, heavy or irregular periods.

Do you or any one you know suffer from endometriosis? Have you been able to speak openly about it? Join the conversation on our Facebook Page.