A woman who looked “five months pregnant” claimed she was “gaslit” by doctors after they dismissed her endometriosis as irritable bowel syndrome for two years.
Sarah Mahon, from London, had suffered from heavy periods as a teenager.
But in 2022 she began experiencing agonizing cramps that left her nauseous and sometimes even unable to walk or bedridden for hours.
Sudden attacks of bloating, which lasted up to three days, also caused the 29-year-old’s stomach to become “hard”.
Despite visiting seven different doctors, five believed his symptoms were “related to digestion,” he said.
Sarah Mahon, from London, had suffered from heavy periods as a teenager. But in 2022 she began experiencing agonizing cramps that left her nauseous and sometimes even unable to walk or bedridden for hours.
Sudden attacks of bloating, which lasted up to three days, also caused the 29-year-old’s stomach to become “hard”. Despite visiting seven different doctors, five believed his symptoms were “related to digestion,” he said.
It wasn’t until she went private in February that she was diagnosed with the condition. Recalling her ordeal, Mrs Mahon, who works as an entertainer, said: “Four of the doctors told me she had irritable bowel syndrome and another said she had irritable bowel disease (IBD).”
It wasn’t until she went private in February that she was diagnosed with the condition.
Recalling her ordeal, Mrs Mahon, who works as an entertainer, said: “Four of the doctors told me I had irritable bowel syndrome and another said I had irritable bowel disease (IBD).
‘I felt like they didn’t believe me about my symptoms. I felt so discouraged by the whole thing.
“One of the worst parts of this whole experience was the gaslighting I received from the doctors.”
She added: ‘I asked (the doctors) about endometriosis and told them my mother had it, but they said it was related to indigestion problems and they just wouldn’t test me.
‘They told me they would need a lot of resources to test me for something I didn’t know I had. I got fired over and over again for it.
‘I didn’t know what to do at this point. I was Googling my symptoms and everything matched up with endometriosis.
‘Some mornings I couldn’t move my arms or legs because I was very tired, the fatigue was very strong.
And showering was very difficult. Washing my hair was such a big effort that I got tired afterwards and had to take a nap.’
Mahon also stopped having sex with her boyfriend “because it wasn’t worth the pain,” she said.
Her “crazy” bloating, which could be triggered by something as small as a cup of coffee, forced her to wear baggy clothing.
‘All my friends said I look completely pregnant. “It was all inflammation,” she added.
Mahon also stopped having sex with her boyfriend “because it wasn’t worth the pain,” she said. Her “crazy” bloating, which could be triggered by something as small as a cup of coffee, forced her to wear baggy clothing. ‘All my friends said I look completely pregnant. “It was all inflammation,” she added.
Now, Mahon urges others to demand answers from their doctors and “not give up” on the search for a diagnosis. She said: ‘I tell other people not to give up. I’m very lucky to have caught mine before it caused any more damage.
Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to those in the lining of the uterus are found outside the uterus.
Each month, these cells react the same way to those in the uterus, building up and then breaking down and bleeding.
Unlike uterine cells that leave the body during menstruation, they have no way to escape.
Symptoms include pain in the pelvis and abdomen, extremely painful periods, pain during sexual intercourse, problems conceiving, with a huge impact on patients that can also lead to depression.
There is currently no cure for endometriosis and treatment is designed to control symptoms, often using minimally invasive surgery to remove or destroy excess tissue.
These procedures can provide months or years of pain relief, but the problem often returns.
In more severe cases, a complete hysterectomy may be recommended, but even that cannot completely resolve the condition.
It is thought to affect around 1.5 million women in the UK and 6.5 million in the United States.
But despite being so common, many women struggle to have their pain and symptoms taken seriously and may be forced to wait decades for a diagnosis.
IBS can cause similar symptoms, and sufferers often struggle to find effective treatment for pain, cramps, bloating and diarrhea, leaving many housebound and in pain.
There is no cure, but changes in diet and medications can often help control symptoms.
Exasperated by her new diagnosis, Mahon booked a private consultation at a London clinic earlier this year.
Scans later confirmed she suffered from the condition and in April she underwent a £7,500 operation to remove excess tissue in her pelvic wall and between her uterus and rectum.
She said: ‘The post-operative pain was nothing compared to what it has been. The pain has completely disappeared. I have a lot more energy now. I feel like a new person.
‘I was told that my body was constantly trying to repair itself and was constantly inflamed. My doctor told me I had the surgery done just in time before it developed further.
‘The surgery went very well and the doctor told me that my ovaries were not affected and that I should be fine when it comes to having a baby. I’m trying to stay positive about the future.
“It is a cruel irony that this condition can cause stroke and cause fertility problems.”
Now, Mahon urges others to demand answers from their doctors and “not give up” on the search for a diagnosis.
She said: ‘I tell other people not to give up. I’m very lucky to have caught mine before it caused any more damage.
“If you can, try to consult a specialist immediately and reach out to people in similar positions.”
It comes as a damning report in March also revealed women must wait almost a year longer for an endometriosis diagnosis than before the pandemic.
It now takes doctors an average of eight years and ten months to identify the painful disease, an increase of ten months from 2020.
Most women made at least one visit to A&E and almost half needed ten or more GP appointments before being diagnosed.