Fundraising mum Alexis Jenner hates yellow – but next month she will be putting on a custard-coloured shirt to raise awareness of a condition she has been battling for more than two decades.

The 42-year-old wants to make as many people as possible aware of the “not often talked about” condition endometriosis.

Alexis, who works as Lord Mayor’s Appeal officer at City Hall, struggled for 23 years to cope but now, thanks to regular reflexology and an understanding doctor, she says she is feeling fitter and healthier than she did at half her age.

“There is still lots of research work to be done. There is no cure as yet because they still don’t know what causes it. It took me 11 years to get a diagnosis but the more aware we can make people about it, the better it will be.”

She wants to lift the lid on it so people can understand more and be more understanding of the women who have to put up with it.

Endometriosis happens when the lining of the womb (endometrium) attaches itself to ovaries, tubes or other structures outside the womb. The cause is unknown.

By the time she was 16, the pain and heavy bleeding Alexis experienced was so bad that she overcame her embarrassment and went to see a doctor who put it down to stress of exams. Two years later, doctors said it was the stress of leaving home.

She married at 22 but after two failed IVF treatments and one miscarriage, the marriage broke down. She had a son in her second marriage but heart-breakingly could not pick him up as a toddler because it would aggravate her condition.

Again the strain of endometriosis led to the relationship’s collapse – and she had four more miscarriages.

Finally, 11 years after her first doctor’s appointment, she was diagnosed with the illness and found a regime that worked for her without having to have a hysterectomy.

The national Endometriosis Society will run its awareness week from Monday, March 2 when millions of suffers and supporters will be wearing yellow.

To find out more about the non-cancerous condition that affects ten to 15 per cent of childbearing-age women who menstruate, go to a free national helpline on 0808 808 2227 or log on to endo.org.uk.

Symptoms of endometriosis can range from no symptoms to mild pain to pain so severe it interferes with a woman’s ability to lead a normal life.

Other symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, cramping, diarrhoea and painful bowel movements during menstruation, and painful sexual intercourse.

e-mail: kathie.griffiths @telegraphandargus.co.uk