Bekki Thomas has been living with the debilitating pain of endometriosis since she was a teenager. Her journey to a diagnosis was long and painful, taking eight years, during which time her symptoms were repeatedly dismissed by doctors. Initially, medical professionals attributed her pain to “over-exercise” or “anxiety.” But for Thomas, the suffering was far beyond what she had been told to expect.
From the age of 11, Thomas was plagued by intense, chronic pain and extreme fatigue that often lasted for weeks. She recalls the early days of her symptoms, noting how she believed the pain was just a normal part of growing up. “There wasn’t any research going into it, we didn’t know much about it,” she said. By the time she turned 13, the pain had become so severe that she found herself “keeling over in agony” at the back of her classroom. Despite the increasingly alarming symptoms, it wasn’t until she was in her twenties that the pieces began to fall into place.
For years, Thomas’s experience of pain was misunderstood. Her doctors initially recommended the contraceptive pill as a solution to manage the pain, but this only led to migraines, which forced her to discontinue it in 2018. The pain persisted, and her doctors again suggested that it might be the result of anxiety or over-exercise, disregarding the possibility of an underlying medical condition. It was only after her sister took matters into her own hands and researched the symptoms online that Thomas returned to her doctor and demanded to be tested for endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects around 1.5 million women in the UK alone. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the uterus, leading to pain and extreme tiredness. For Thomas, the condition severely affected her quality of life, causing her to experience unbearable pain and fatigue for weeks at a time. Her symptoms were so overwhelming that she found it difficult to work, maintain relationships, and simply go about her daily life. Yet, despite the serious nature of the condition, the treatment options she was offered were limited.
After her diagnosis, Thomas was prescribed a Mirena coil, a type of intrauterine device (IUD) designed to help manage the symptoms. However, this treatment did little to alleviate her pain and offered no long-term solutions. As she navigates life with the condition, she has found solace in connecting with other women who share similar experiences. “It’s good to speak to other women who have it,” she said. “You don’t feel so alone in the struggle.”
Despite the presence of support groups and the shared experiences of other women, Thomas believes there needs to be more awareness and funding for research into endometriosis. She is calling for greater recognition of the condition and more comprehensive treatment options for those affected. As she noted, “There is no cure. Pain management can be difficult. I mask it a lot at work and in relationships because you don’t want to be a burden.”
The lack of research into endometriosis, coupled with the difficulties in accessing proper treatment, has made the condition a challenging one for many women. However, Thomas’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of listening to women’s health concerns and ensuring that they receive the care and support they need. With the right attention, awareness, and research, there is hope that women with endometriosis will receive better care and better outcomes in the future.
In response to the challenges faced by women like Thomas, the Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board has stated that they are working to improve the care and support available to women with endometriosis. This includes updating referral guidance and providing more training for general practitioners to ensure better care. However, Thomas’s call for more research and funding remains crucial in the ongoing fight to improve the lives of those affected by endometriosis.
