For over a decade, I was told my pain was all in my head. At 16, I first reported troubling symptoms to my GP, only to be dismissed and told I’d “grow out of it.” Multiple doctors attributed my suffering to fibromyalgia, IBS, or mental health issues. Every scan and test came back normal, including a diagnostic laparoscopy in 2021 that found no evidence of disease. I was left feeling isolated, confused, and gaslighted—wondering if the excruciating pain was truly a product of my mind.
This month, at 27, after undergoing surgery with a specialist thanks to private health insurance, I finally received the diagnosis I sought for years: endometriosis—an incurable condition ranked among the top 20 most painful in the world by the NHS.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue resembling the uterine lining grows outside the womb, reacting to hormonal cycles and causing inflammation, pain, and scar tissue. Its symptoms extend well beyond painful periods, including debilitating pelvic pain, fatigue, and digestive issues.
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Despite my diagnosis, access to treatment remains far from equitable. Before specialized care, I was repeatedly told to stop seeking help—doctors writing letters stating I didn’t have endometriosis, dismissing my pain as psychological. I underwent excision surgery to remove lesions—the gold standard treatment—but this journey exposed serious flaws in women’s healthcare.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines emphasize that normal pelvic exams and ultrasounds do not exclude endometriosis and that persistent symptoms warrant referral to a gynecology specialist. Yet, thousands face endless waits. Currently, over 580,000 people in England are on gynecology waiting lists, delaying diagnosis and care.
Endometriosis impacts 1 in 10 women, yet healthcare systems lag behind in meeting their needs. Specialists warn that growing waitlists exacerbate suffering and risk permanent damage. Advocacy groups call for urgent reforms to reduce wait times and improve access to diagnosis, treatment, and pain management.
My story is a call to action: if you experience persistent pain or symptoms during your period or otherwise, do not accept dismissal. Trust your body and seek further opinions. Women’s healthcare requires urgent improvement so no one else must endure years of pain without answers.