Endometriosis: More than just a ‘painful period’

Credit: Francine Taylor / Instagram: @just_another_endo_warrior

“I wake up in pain every single day, sometimes even before I open my eyes, I realise how much pain I’m in.”

Francine Taylor is describing her endometriosis symptoms.

It took the 28-year-old more than 12 years to receive a diagnosis.

If caught any later, it would have cost both her bladder and bowel, her current consultant confirmed.

Experts have concluded that there is an ongoing gynaecology crisis in the UK with NHS waiting lists having “more than doubled since February 2020.”

750,000 women are still waiting for consultations, tests, and even important surgery, leaving many women at stake of losing major organs to endometriosis. 

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining, grows outside of the uterus, causing pain, inflammation and scarring.

For Francine, her life is “consumed” by her diagnosis, affecting her ability to work, socialise and maintain relationships.

“No one took me seriously.” she explains. “You go to these medical professionals with the hope and the understanding that they’re there to help you, and for them to say it’s normal, is concerning.” she said.

She first started experiencing symptoms at just 14 years old and did not receive her diagnosis until her later adult years when she turned 27. 

When taking frequent trips to the GP to discuss her incredibly painful periods, she was immediately shut down, with doctors telling her that periods are “meant to be painful” and that experiencing how she felt, was a “normal part of being a woman.”

Since then, Fran underwent two invasive surgeries to investigate her symptoms. 

After a first surgery, she was told by a gynaecologist that there was “nothing wrong” with her, explaining that there were no signs of “menstrual health or gynecological related illnesses or disorders.”

“If I believed the consultant that failed to diagnose me, I would have eventually lost both my bowel and my bladder.” 

Over the next two years, her symptoms progressed severely, forcing her to obtain a second opinion. 

“It was only when I questioned what they were saying, that anything was taken seriously.” she said.

“I had to build up a huge amount of symptoms that were affecting me on a daily basis in order for anyone to take me seriously, and I know I am not alone in that.” she said. 

In May of 2023, she was finally diagnosed with stage three endometriosis after battling to be heard by medical practitioners for more than a decade.

“You know, having 12 years of battling with medical practitioners to be taken seriously has a huge toll on your mental health, it’s really exhausting and very frustrating.” she said

She continues: “I think the fact that endometriosis takes on average 8.9 years to diagnose, speaks volumes to the level of medical gaslighting and dismissal that occurs within the women’s health sector.” 

“You have to plan everything around your condition, and whilst I am not my condition, endometriosis has taken over mine and many other women’s lives.”  she said.