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Sophie Buchan was told it was all in her head (Image: Sophie Buchan)
Doctors accused me of making up my symptoms for attention and suggested that if I was genuinely in as much pain as I claimed, I should simply fall pregnant to help my symptoms. These were the disturbing comments and actual suggestions made by medical professionals who were meant to be there to help me.
When I presented my symptoms to doctors, I was met with skepticism and dismissive advice, such as the outrageous suggestion that pregnancy might alleviate my pain. These comments were not just hurtful; they came from the very professionals who are supposed to provide care and support.
The notion that pregnancy can cure endometriosis is not only outdated but also factually incorrect. This condition can, in fact, lead to complications with fertility, making such advice even more problematic.
My journey with this struggle began at 16 when I first sought medical assistance for the excruciating pain I was experiencing. Like many others, I was reassured that what I felt was “normal” and was prescribed birth control as a remedy. However, after eight months, I found myself back at the doctor’s office due to severe side effects, including debilitating depression.
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Endometriosis presents a wide array of symptoms that often mimic other ailments, complicating its diagnosis. Yet, countless women worldwide are led to believe that their pain is just a part of life. I am here to advocate that it is not – pain should not be normalized.
- Pelvic pain
- Painful periods that interfere with everyday life
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Bloating
- Brain fog
- Pain during or after sex
- Painful bowel movements/when having a poo
- Pain when urinating/peeing
- Difficulty getting pregnant – up to 70% of those with endometriosis will be able to get pregnant naturally
- Fatigue, with one or more of the above symptoms
Tragically, some women are informed they don’t have endometriosis despite undergoing multiple scans. They may even come out of from surgery being told there is “no evidence of endometriosis”.
What many don’t realise is that endometriosis doesn’t always show up on scans, not even MRIs. My condition never appeared on any imaging, and it got to the stage where I had brain scans to rule out tumours.
Following all this, I was told to stop pursuing a diagnosis and was branded a nuisance because of my constant ‘unnecessary’ phone calls. Medical professionals insisted my pain was made worse by dwelling on it.
But flash forward to 2025, 11 years after I initially sought medical help, and I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis. Yes, the exact condition doctors had repeatedly assured me I didn’t have.
In 2021, I had a diagnostic laparoscopy and was told I was “healthy” and that there was “no evidence of endometriosis.” I challenged this, requesting a referral to a specialist, but was sent a letter stating that the surgeon who performed my procedure would have spotted it if it existed.
Yet as we now understand, he overlooked it, precisely as I’d thought. Throughout the 11 years I suffered symptoms, I was continuously dismissed and made to feel the pain was purely psychological.
Eventually, I underwent excision surgery with a specialist to remove my endometriosis lesions, which is considered the gold standard treatment for the condition. I was only able to access this specialist surgery privately thanks to being covered under a family member’s health insurance – and without that coverage, I would have spent my entire life without answers.
Petition
A petition is circulating across the UK aiming to help women like me have their pain recognised as more than ‘just a painful period’. Thankfully, it has surpassed 100,000 signatures, meaning MPs will discuss it.
The petition reads: “We call on the UK Government to introduce statutory paid menstrual leave of up to 3 days per month for people with conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis, following the model introduced in Portugal in 2025. We urge the UK Government to implement a statutory menstrual leave policy similar to the one recently passed in Portugal.”
It asks for the following:
- Provide up to 3 days of paid menstrual leave per month for individuals with a valid medical diagnosis
- Require only a single annual medical certificate confirming the condition
- Ensure full employment protections, including no loss of pay, benefits or seniority
- Guarantee confidentiality and non-discrimination in the workplace
You can read the petition in full here.
