The Painful Condition Queen Camilla’s Niece Ayesha Shand Lives With

Ayesha Shand didn’t gloss over how debilitating endometriosis can be, pointing out in her Instagram post how little attention is paid to the tremendous suffering women with this condition often experience. She explained, “Endometriosis is very difficult to diagnose, treat and ultimately cure. According to statistics 1 in 10 women suffer from it, but due to the inability to diagnose the condition, it is likely double that.” Indeed, the National Health Institute estimates that 1 in 9 women of reproductive age have the disease, but that’s a conservative number.

Treatment is possible when a diagnosis is achieved, though there is currently no cure for endometriosis. Shand revealed that she is taking steps to manage her symptoms. In a few weeks, she will have surgery that can potentially alleviate her discomfort. In most cases, endometriosis operations are laparoscopic, in which a doctor can enter the abdomen and destroy or remove misplaced uterine tissue through a small incision. However, sometimes, a hysterectomy is performed.

Queen Camilla herself had a hysterectomy in 2007. The royal family did not disclose exactly why she underwent the procedure. However, they did make the announcement ahead of her surgery date and weren’t secretive about the operation. Endometriosis can run in families, so it’s possible that Camilla was affected by the same condition as her niece, Shand.