Teen from Yorkshire battles delayed endometriosis diagnosis and painful months

Grace, a 14-year-old from Yorkshire, started her periods at 11 and by 13 was experiencing excruciating abdominal pain described as "heated barbed wire" around her organs. Despite repeated visits to A&E and prescriptions for morphine, co-codamol and tramadol, doctors repeatedly told her she could not have endometriosis because of her age, offering alternative explanations such as irritable bowel syndrome, a cyst, anxiety or simply a bad period.

It was only after her family pursued a second private consultation that a specialist confirmed the diagnosis. Endometriosis UK spokesperson Faye Farthing says the condition can affect any girl once periods begin, and that education on menstrual health is lacking among health professionals. Pediatric gynecologist Dr Gail Busby, who runs a private adolescent endometriosis clinic in Manchester, stresses that while most teens have painful periods, missing school or daily activities signals a problem that warrants further testing.

Grace has recently had a keyhole laparoscopy to remove lesions and is now advised to use hormonal contraception to manage future pain and protect fertility. By sharing her experience, she hopes other teenagers will be taken seriously and receive timely diagnosis.