A Woman’s Struggle with Severe Menstrual Pain and Long NHS Waiting List
Jade Devereux, a 23-year-old woman from Norfolk, has been experiencing intense period pain since she was in school. She says the pain is so severe that it disrupts her daily life, causing her to miss work for several days each month. Despite multiple visits to doctors and prescriptions for painkillers, anti-inflammatories, and even blood thinners, the pain remains unbearable.
“Throughout the years, I have suffered badly with my periods,” Jade said. “The day of my period and the next day, I am physically throwing up because of how much pain I am in. The pain is so unbearable that if I come on my period while I am asleep, it wakes me up, and I cannot sleep because it hurts so much.”
Over time, the pain has only gotten worse. She has had to visit the emergency room multiple times due to the intensity of the pain. To manage the discomfort, she relies heavily on painkillers, which only provide temporary relief. She also mentioned that tramadol helps slightly but causes nausea.
It was only after she began researching her symptoms online that she discovered information about endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the uterus. This discovery led her to believe that she might be suffering from this condition.
“I didn’t know about endometriosis before that, and I realised it sounded exactly like what I was going through,” she added.
Jade was referred to a gynaecologist in August last year, but she has been waiting over a year to see a specialist. This long wait has left her in constant pain and has now led to an investigation at her workplace due to the frequent time off she needs.
Endometriosis affects around 1.5 million women in the UK and can cause severe pain, heavy periods, and other symptoms such as fatigue, pain during sex, and difficulty getting pregnant. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, the condition can worsen, leading to further complications.
According to the NHS, individuals with endometriosis may experience:
- Severe period pain that stops them from doing normal activities
- Heavy periods requiring frequent changes of pads or tampons
- Pain when passing urine or stools
- Pain in the lower abdomen and back
- Fatigue and anxiety
Despite the availability of treatments, many women face long waiting lists for specialist care. New data shows that almost half of the six million people needing treatment from the NHS in England have not received further care since joining a hospital waiting list. This issue contributes to increasing waiting times and delays in diagnosis.
Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, emphasized the need for the government to address the long wait times for gynaecology appointments. “Nobody should be left to wait in limbo for so long for a diagnosis,” she said. “Without a diagnosis, the most appropriate treatment and management options can’t be accessed, symptoms can get worse, and the disease may progress.”
The NHS has made progress in reducing waiting lists, with more than 260,000 fewer patients on the list since June 2024. However, many individuals, like Jade, continue to struggle with the lack of timely care.
Jade expressed her fear of losing her job as a shop customer assistant due to the frequent time off required. “I know there is something wrong as there is no way I should be having so much pain with my periods,” she said. “If I can be diagnosed with endometriosis, at least I might finally be able to get the treatment I need.”
She also highlighted the impact of her condition on her mental health and daily life. “Nothing gets rid of it, and I am having to take so many painkillers. It helps if I am bent over.”
While the Department of Health and Social Care has updated guidance to help doctors diagnose and treat endometriosis faster, many women still face long waits for specialist care. The 10 Year Health Plan aims to reduce gynaecology waiting lists and provide personalized support through women’s health hubs.
For women like Jade, the journey to diagnosis and treatment remains challenging, highlighting the urgent need for improved access to healthcare services.