Rochdale woman's painful battle with endometriosis highlights wider problem

A Rochdale woman has spoken out about her harrowing experience with endometriosis, a condition that affects one in ten women and can leave sufferers in excruciating pain.

Siobhan Kennett, 32, endured years of debilitating symptoms, including extreme tiredness, irregular periods, and unexplained bleeding, before finally receiving a diagnosis.

Her experience reflects a wider issue faced by women across the UK, as a new report reveals that more than half of women with endometriosis have to make over ten visits to their GP before receiving a proper diagnosis.

Siobhan's journey to diagnosis was long and frustrating. "I went to see my local GPs countless times over the last few years," she said. "At some points, I was ringing the surgery once a week, asking for an appointment because my symptoms had become that chronic."

Despite her persistent complaints, it took two separate appointments with different female GPs, spaced four months apart, before she was sent for an internal ultrasound that finally indicated the presence of endometriosis cysts on her ovaries.

Even after this discovery, Siobhan faced further delays. "I had to wait another 11 months to see an NHS community gynaecologist, who then told me I was in for another 18–24-month delay to receive surgery on the NHS," she said.

Siobhan's story is echoed by many women across the country. The recently published "Long and Painful Road" report, which reviewed the experiences of 941 patients, 623 clinicians, and 167 hospitals, highlights a shocking lack of care coordination and a failure to review even basic patient information when dealing with endometriosis. The report calls for a more holistic approach to treatment and greater awareness of the condition among healthcare professionals.

Dr Anita Sharma, co-founder of the Greater Manchester campaign group Endometriosis Awareness North (EAN), expressed her concern over the findings.

"Members of my profession too often see one symptom of endo and treat it there and then, rather than refer to case notes and notice a pattern," she said. "Some medics even see it as just a normal part of being a woman, and this makes females reluctant to see their GP."

The delays in diagnosis mean that many women, like Siobhan, are left without access to treatment or management options, and their fertility may be compromised.

Despite the pressing need for awareness and better training, Dr Sharma noted the absence of a national campaign to support women with endometriosis. "It comes to something when a small group of people have to give of their own time to raise awareness of this mendacious condition," she said.

EAN continues to lead efforts to raise awareness, improve referrals, and educate both GPs and the public about endometriosis.

The group regularly holds educational sessions, hoping to bridge the gap in knowledge and ensure that women receive the care they deserve.

To read “The Long and Painful Road,” visit the page here.

For more on Endometriosis Awareness North, visit the group's web site here.