I thought I had perimenopause but truth was much worse

Mum of six discovered symptoms such as tiredness and bloating were actually caused by ovarian cancer, writes Paige Oldfield

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TIREDNESS, bloating and pain during intercourse - Jacqueline Green assumed she had started the perimenopause.

The mum-of-six suffered the strange symptoms for months before her husband Kevin encouraged her to go and see a doctor.

The 53-year-old, who lives in the Gatley area of Stockport, booked an appointment to see a GP and was told she likely had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

But her bizarre symptoms continued, and despite returning to her doctor several times, she was told not to worry and her concerns were dismissed.

By July 2017, Jacqueline had developed stomach pains which saw her double over in pain and "roll around on the floor in the fetal position" The mum was taken to hospital where she was given painkillers and offered a chance to stay on the ward overnight.

Not wanting to take up a hospital bed, Jacqueline returned home and took her medication. By the next morning, her stomach pain had completely disappeared.

With a holiday planned around a week later, Jacqueline's husband Kevin feared her pain would flare up again and urged her to return to hospital where she had an ultrasound.

While on her trip, Jacqueline was informed medics had found a cyst on her left ovary. Later ultrasound scans showed further cysts that had grown in size.