fibroid

Last month, she revealed how she had also been affected by the severity of painful fibroids - abnormal growths that develop in the uterus.

Williams, 45, had every right to be giddy after a successful return to the court following a 16-month hiatus, during which she underwent a medical procedure to remove fibroids from her uterus last July.

Dr Jackowich said severe period pain was something that can be experienced on its own or linked to other conditions, such as endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

Four operations later and Saschan has had a further endometriosis diagnosis and has been treated for fibroids and a hiatus hernia exacerbated by the wait for surgery on the NHS.

This would suggest around 630,000 people - at the very least - are on the list to be seen for problems that range from fibroids and endometriosis to incontinence and menopause care.