Jessica's Story

I was twelve years old when I had my first period. It was normal, lasted four days and wasn’t heavy or that painful. However, that was the last time I had a ‘normal’ period.

I had to wait another six months before I had my next period, though I was told it was normal to be irregular when you’re just starting out. The next two weeks was hell, I had not long turned thirteen but I was bed bound. It was heavy and I couldn’t walk for so much pain. The pain felt like I had been stabbed every day for two weeks.

My Mum took me to the doctors and told them that this wasn’t normal. They put me on the pill and said to come back if it didn’t get better.

It didn’t get better, it shortened my period so it lasted only a week, but it was as painful and heavy as before. It started to affect school and my mental health. I would have to pack extra tights and underwear because I’d bleed so heavily.

It was a huge back and forth, saying I was too young and that it would regulate itself.

It wasn’t until I was 18 that I was sent for my first ultrasound. There was nothing on the scan, so it was back to square one. They did refer me to the gynaecologist, and she said it was possibly PCOS. However, over my whole journey it has felt like there has been a lack of willingness to help me, that the pain is in my head, I just needed to wait. I know I am not the only one to experience this, but for the last ten years, I have felt incredibly alone. And I have had to fight tooth and nail to get my answers.

I am now 21, and am only in the early days of receiving my diagnosis of endometriosis, and it is an incredibly emotional experience. I feel vindicated, but also drained because it has taken me almost ten years to get here.

I urge everyone who has abnormal periods, don’t stop fighting until you get your answers.

Thank you Jessica for sharing your story. No one should feel dismissed due to their age, or for any other reason on their endometriosis journey. 

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