The soundtrack of women laughing and chattering contribute to the visual demonstration of black droplets falling into a jar of liquid.

Endometriosis can be a taboo subject to talk about, and one many sufferers won’t feel they can smile about.

Illustrating the friendship and laughter a group of women have found through their experience with the condition while raising awareness about it came naturally for Michelle Middleton.

The 34-year-old mother-of-two, from Silsden, recently launched a video installation focusing on the condition at Thornton’s South Square gallery.

For Michelle, who is studying for her masters degree at Bradford College of Art, it is an unusual medium to get the message across about a condition which has dominated her own life.

When Michelle was diagnosed with endometriosis at 30, she knew nothing about the disease.

Endometriosis is a gynaelogical condition where tissue similiar to the lining of the womb grows in other areas of the body, most commonly in the pelvic area.

More than 1.5 million women in the UK are affected by the disease. Michelle went to her GP with symptoms including fatigue. Endometriosis can also cause painful/heavy periods, infertility and bowel problems. Some sufferers can also experience pain during or after sex.

When diagnostic testing revealed she was suffering from the condition, Michelle had never heard of it and so began her journey of discovery.

Michelle believes the fact she was taking the pill may have masked her symptoms. When she came off the pill to have her children, the symptoms came to light.

Treatment can include painkillers and hormone treatments. Some treatments are designed to bring on an artificial menopause to counteract the symptoms of the condition.

She explains there is an ‘emotional impact’ when your body goes into an early menopause, but Michelle says it’s about ‘managing the condition’.

Three years ago Michelle set up her own local support group, affiliated to the national charity Endometriosis UK, to provide information and support to fellow sufferers.

“One in ten women suffer with it, yet I am a woman in my 30s and I had never heard of it before,” says Michelle.

“It surprised me how many women had it and how many women were looking out for help.

“I thought there should be information given to women who are diagnosed.”

Michelle currently has 150 women on her contact list for the group, which covers Bradford, Leeds and Skipton.

“It is a chronic illness and it is very difficult to say you have a chronic illness, especially one which doesn’t have the credence of something that is in people’s psyche such as diabetes.”

Michelle says the condition can also be deemed to be ‘taboo’ due to its location on the body.

She says more money is now being spent on researching the condition. “It has finally been realised that many people have it and it can directly affect the way women work and could cost the economy a lot of money,” says Michelle. “People take it more seriously now and I think there is probably more awareness.”

Michelle came up with the idea to showcase her video installation and soundtrack focusing on the subject to profile the condition and prompt discussion.

“It is to highlight how it feels and try and represent it visually within my artwork.”

She says she also incorporated a soundtrack from the meeting. “We laugh a lot and talk,” says Michelle.

Managing the condition and your lifestyle is one of the key coping mechanisms. “It is like a shadow – I have to learn to live with it – but having the support group for myself and other women is critical,” she says.

For information, visit endometriosissupportgroup.co.uk, or call the national charity helpline on 0808 808 2227.