A woman named Sarah Mahon has come forward with her struggle against severe endometriosis, a condition that left her looking “five months pregnant” and hindered her ability to engage in intimacy with her partner. Sarah, aged 29, had experienced heavy periods since her teenage years but noticed a significant escalation in symptoms over the past two years, including intense cramps and digestive issues.
Despite seeking medical help from seven different doctors over this period, Sarah felt dismissed as doctors attributed her symptoms to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and suggested dietary changes. However, her condition continued to worsen, causing excruciating pain that rendered her unable to walk at times and confined her to bed for hours.
Sarah’s abdomen became visibly bloated, resembling a pregnant belly for days on end. She recounted how five out of the seven doctors she consulted believed her symptoms were related to digestion, overlooking the possibility of endometriosis. It wasn’t until she sought private medical care in February that she received a proper diagnosis of endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing severe pelvic pain and potential fertility issues.
Expressing her frustration, Sarah mentioned how she repeatedly raised concerns about endometriosis, given her family history, but her requests for testing were denied. The constant pain and fatigue affected her daily life, leading to anxiety and a cessation of sexual activity with her partner due to the associated discomfort.
After undergoing a £7,500 operation in April to remove the endometriosis, Sarah’s pain has subsided, and she feels like a new person with restored energy levels. She emphasized the importance of persistence in seeking medical answers and urged others not to give up on obtaining a proper diagnosis, especially if they suspect endometriosis or face similar dismissals from healthcare professionals.
