For fifteen agonising years, Chloe Dunstan's debilitating pain was brushed off by medical professionals as simply 'bad periods'. Month after month, she was left bedridden, forced to miss work and social events, and prescribed a relentless cycle of painkillers that barely scratched the surface of her suffering.
Now, the 31-year-old marketing executive from Surrey is sharing her harrowing journey in a powerful bid to raise awareness and prevent other women from enduring the same medical neglect.
A Lifetime of Pain Dismissed
Chloe's ordeal began in her teenage years. Her symptoms were severe and relentless: crippling abdominal cramps, nausea, and fatigue so intense it left her incapable of leaving her bed. Despite repeatedly seeking help, her concerns were consistently minimised.
"I was told time and time again that it was normal, that some women just have it worse than others," Chloe recalls. "I was handed stronger and stronger painkillers and sent on my way. I felt like I was going mad, like I was being dramatic. But the pain was real and it was destroying my life."
The Shocking Diagnosis
The turning point came after more than a decade of suffering. Finally referred to a specialist, Chloe underwent a laparoscopy—a keyhole surgery to look inside the abdomen. The findings were devastating.
Chloe was diagnosed with stage four endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the womb's lining grows elsewhere in the body. The disease had caused extensive scarring, lesions, and inflammation. She was also diagnosed with adenomyosis, a related condition where the tissue grows into the muscle wall of the uterus.
Her diagnosis revealed a truth long ignored: her pain was never normal; it was a sign of a serious, progressive disease.
The Fight For Recognition and Treatment
Chloe's story is not unique. It highlights a critical and widespread issue within healthcare: the systemic dismissal of women's pain, particularly surrounding menstrual health. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women in the UK, yet the average diagnosis time is a staggering 7.5 years.
Her surgery to remove the tissue was complex and recovery was gruelling, but for Chloe, it was the beginning of reclaiming her life. "For the first time in my adult life, I felt validated. I wasn't crazy. I had a real, physical disease that had a name."
A Message of Hope and Advocacy
Today, Chloe is determined to use her voice to advocate for others. She urges women to trust their instincts and persist in seeking answers.
- Trust your body: You know your pain better than anyone.
- Push for referrals: Don't accept dismissal. Ask to see a specialist.
- Seek support: Connect with charities like Endometriosis UK for advice and community.
"No one should have to lose 15 years of their life to pain and misunderstanding," she states. "My mission now is to ensure that other women get the belief, support, and diagnosis they need and deserve, much faster than I did."
