My life as a nail technician with endometriosis

The NHS states that endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.

It is a long-term condition, which can have a variety of symptoms and affects each woman differently, ranging from severe period pains that prevent daily activities and sickness, to infertility. According to the World Health Organisation, endometriosis affects approximately 10% of reproductive age women.

To mark Endometriosis Awareness Month, which is symbolised with a yellow ribbon, Scratch chats to Claire Milburn of Blush Nail Beauty, Warwickshire, about how the condition impacts her her working life…

How has endometriosis affected your job role?

Endometriosis is a very unpredictable illness. As a nail tech with the condition, it has had a serious impact on the way I move around. For example, I used to be a mobile tech but now I’m home-based, as moving my body, getting in the car, driving, lifting and sitting in clients’ chairs and working from different stations was incredibly hard. In order to be working at the best of my ability, I had no option but to change the way I work.

As I am self-employed, I can be flexible with the days and hours I work. I no longer see clients in the evenings or first thing in the morning, and I also ensure a rest day is scheduled.

What are your symptoms?

I get the majority of my pain in my tummy and back, but sometimes I also feel nauseous and can’t eat as everything hurts. On a really bad day, I have no option but to move my clients to another day. This tends to be my last resort and I only rearrange if I’ve been up all night breathing through the pain, as I know that I won’t be able to work. Something else I have to consider is that my tummy can be swollen, so I’ve had to change my outfits to more loose-fitting ones.

How do you cope with the condition?

Endometriosis is a horrible condition, but being a nail technician brings me joy and working is a good distraction. Even though I’m often exhausted afterwards, I’ve found it to be a coping strategy. In order to work, I take medication for fatigue and heavy bleeding. However, I find I’m at my worst when I’m hardly bleeding, as this is when I’m bleeding outside my womb, which is when the pain is at its worst.

To other nail technicians with endometriosis, I recommend being balanced, knowing your limitations and being honest with yourself and your clients. I’ve found that if you are honest about your condition, people (especially women) are understanding.

For more information and support, visit charity, Endometriosis UK‘s website.