Norwich Woman's Decade-Long Endometriosis Battle Dismissed as 'Just Bad Periods'
A young woman from Norwich has revealed how her agonising endometriosis symptoms were repeatedly dismissed by medical professionals for over a decade, with doctors attributing her suffering to her weight or dismissing it as 'just a bad period'. Tehyana Johnson, now 22, endured what she describes as years of being 'fobbed off' before finally receiving a definitive diagnosis in July 2025.
'I Almost Felt Vindicated But I Was Angry'
'I'd been fobbed off for so long and told that this isn't what's wrong with me, so when I was diagnosed, I almost felt vindicated because I was right – but I was angry,' Ms Johnson told PA Real Life. 'I was doing the research into what's wrong with me and I was right every single time. But this is something I'm going to have to live with for the rest of my life because everything we have tried so far hasn't worked.'
Her symptoms began at just nine years old with heavy bleeding that led to an iron deficiency diagnosis. By age twelve, the condition had escalated dramatically to include:
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- Debilitating cramping that left her bedridden for days
- Full body pain described as feeling like 'her body was on fire'
- Blood in her urine and bladder spasms
A Decade of Medical Neglect
Ms Johnson estimates she underwent more than 250 medical consultations in just three years alone, with her pleas for help consistently ignored. When she sought help at fourteen, doctors prescribed contraceptive pills without investigation. Despite the pills stopping her periods, she experienced phantom pain and back pain dismissed as 'growing pains'.
The pattern continued into adulthood. Hospital visits resulted in being sent back to her GP, while her GP would redirect her to hospital, creating what she describes as a medical runaround that left her suffering untreated.
The Weight Blame Game
In 2024, after finally seeing a gynaecologist, Ms Johnson faced what she calls particularly dismissive treatment. 'He spent the whole appointment telling me it's because of my weight,' she recounted. 'He said to me: 'Your weight is my ideal weight as a 6ft 5in man.' Trying to explain my symptoms to someone who has already decided what he thinks is the answer, he just wasn't listening.'
This occurred despite clear ultrasound and MRI scans, with the medical professional insisting her symptoms were weight-related rather than investigating further.
Self-Diagnosis and Emergency
While studying at university, Ms Johnson began her own research after being unable to attend classes due to pain. 'I started Googling my symptoms and looking at WebMD and I came across endometriosis,' she explained. 'I just thought, wait a second, this is what's been going on with me for the past 10 years.'
Later in 2024, she experienced what doctors initially dismissed as another routine issue – an unplanned pregnancy that turned out to be a suspected ectopic pregnancy. A private scan a week later revealed a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, requiring emergency hospital treatment.
Finally Getting Answers
After advocating for a laparoscopy – considered the gold standard for endometriosis diagnosis – Ms Johnson endured another year-long wait. During this period, her symptoms intensified to include bowel dysfunction and debilitating sciatica that left her 'screaming, crying on the floor for hours'.
The July 2025 surgery revealed extensive endometriosis with lesions and scar tissue on multiple organs, including her bowels. Medical professionals informed her some lesions appeared to have been present for approximately fifteen years.
'They said there are lesions which look like they've been there for about 15 years, and I've got massive scarring on basically everything,' she stated. 'At this point, I'm thinking, you've left it so long that now there's not a chance that treatment will work.'
Systemic Failure in Women's Healthcare
Ms Johnson's experience reflects broader systemic issues. According to Endometriosis UK, diagnosis takes an average of eight years and ten months from the first GP visit. The condition affects approximately 176 million women worldwide, with symptoms that can include:
- Severe pelvic and period pain
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Pain during or after sexual intercourse
- Pain when urinating or defecating
- Chronic fatigue and nausea
Dr Susanna Unsworth, a women's health expert for intimate wellness brand Intimina, commented during Endometriosis Awareness Month: 'Too many women are still told that severe period pain is 'just something they have to live with'. But pain that stops you going about your normal daily life is not normal and should always be assessed.'
Campaigning for Change
Ms Johnson continues to experience regular 'flare-ups' but uses a TENS machine for pain relief while pushing for further referrals. She faces potential future treatments including additional surgery or, in severe cases, a hysterectomy.
Now dedicated to raising awareness, she urges both patients and medical professionals to take women's pain seriously. 'Always advocate for yourself and fight for yourself… but you're not alone as there are millions of us with this condition,' she said. 'I'd say to GPs, think about if this was your child or your wife or your partner, you'd want them to be heard. Medical professionals need to educate themselves and be willing to be educated again.'
Her story highlights the urgent need for improved medical education, earlier intervention, and a fundamental shift in how women's chronic pain conditions are approached within healthcare systems.
