22-year-old raising awareness of Endometriosis after ‘bittersweet’ diagnosis
Teigan, who works at Birmingham Women’s Hospital as a Gynecology Admissions Booking Co-Ordinator, was diagnosed with Endometriosis and Adenomyosis when she was just 20 years old and has been treated at the Women’s Hospital.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissues like the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus, and can cause significant pain, and Adenomyosis is a condition where endometrial-like tissue grows into the muscle of your uterus and often causes heavy bleeding.
Teigan has struggled with heavy periods and huge amounts of pain since she was eight years old and often missing out on school.
She said: “As I got older, my periods got worse and worse, I was in so much pain and I'd have months of bleeding, 2 weeks of no bleeding, and then back to months of bleeding.
“I remember having a secondary school attendance teacher come to my house as I couldn't move out of my bed I was in so much pain.
“The only thing to try help the pain was to use heat packs or hot water bottles, paracetamol wouldn't even touch the sides.
“It started causing a lot of anxiety for me, I was constantly worried about leaving the house in case the pain got too much, or the bleeding got too heavy, it was a really scary time.”
Teigan was seen by her local GP but unfortunately found that none of the treatments were working.
She added: “I really struggled during that time of my life. Whenever I spoke to family or friends, their periods were never like mine and I kept thinking there was something wrong with me.”
When she was 20 years old, Teigan started working at Birmingham Women’s Hospital and came to hear of Endometriosis after a colleague noticed she was in a lot of pain and raised concerns.
She commented: “I was doubled over in pain and a clinician saw me and asked if I was ok, as I was really pale and it was clear I was struggling.
“I explained a little about the symptoms and that's the first time I have ever heard of Endometriosis”
“The clinician said that my symptoms matched up with Endometriosis and he told me to ask for a referral to the Gynecology Department at the Women’s Hospital.”
Teigan then saw one of the hospital’s specialist Endometriosis Consultants and was referred for an ultrasound and transvaginal scan.
After this initial scan, Teigan was diagnosed with Adenomyosis.
Teigan added: “My consultant was really kind and talked me through the findings of the scan and explained what everything means, I remember looking at my scan thinking ‘it looks like fireworks have gone off in my womb’ as there were different colours everywhere.
“He then explained that it looks like I also had Endometriosis but that they would need to carry out a surgery called a diagnostic laparoscopy to diagnose it.”
Teigan then underwent her first ever surgery in February 2023,
Teigan said: “I was petrified at the thought of having this procedure, I’d never had anything else like it apart from the scans.
“I didn’t have a clue what could happen or what I’d do if they did find something sinister.
“The procedure went quickly through and went well and I was officially diagnosed with Endometriosis and Adenomyosis.”
During the laparoscopy, the team found endometriosis tissue and were able to remove it, but due to where the Adenomyosis was in her womb this was unable to be removed.
She added: “The diagnosis was bittersweet, but it was reassuring to know I wasn’t just imagining it and there was an explanation for it.
“At the same time, I felt really scared, and I’ve suffered from depression due to the chronic nature of the conditions and the challenges of managing the pain.
“I felt like my body was failing me and wasn’t working how it was meant to.
“With my condition, there’s the potential for infertility too, and I’ve always wanted to be a mother one day, so it’s caused sleepless nights overthinking things, but throughout everything my consultant has been amazing and has reassured me when I needed it.”
Since the diagnosis, Teigan has been under the care of the Endometriosis team to help try to manage her symptoms.
She has since had a second laparoscopy to remove more endometriosis tissue.
She said: “My consultant has been remarkable. He will almost listen to any concerns I have no matter how big or small and always makes sure I’m comfortable and happy with any plans we make.
“When I’ve had the laparoscopy's, I stayed on Ward Eight, and the nurses and staff are incredible. They were so friendly and approachable and made sure I had everything I needed.”
Teigan continues to work as Gynecology Admissions Booking Co-Ordinator at the Women’s Hospital where she remains under the care of the Endometriosis team.
She commented: “As part of my role, I arrange pre-operative appointments, liaise with clinicians, patients, nurses, priorities the waiting list, identify patients and make a theatre list book them into theatre, there’s all sorts I do really!
“I love working at the Women’s Hospital, everyone is so kind and supportive, and I think I'm in a really unique position to have experienced and witnessed the specialty level of care and knowledge from both a patient and colleague point of view.”