GPs laughed off Traitors star's endometriosis fears

Elen Wyn, a contestant on the reality show The Traitors, has bravely shared her long and painful journey with endometriosis, a condition that affects many women. For over ten years, Elen experienced severe pain that she was told was simply 'just period pains. ' This dismissive attitude from medical professionals left her feeling frustrated and unheard. Elen, who is now 24 years old and hails from Anglesey, described the pain as feeling like 'barbed wire around her stomach. ' She often missed school and was unable to participate in sports due to the debilitating nature of her symptoms. Despite her suffering, she was repeatedly told by doctors that her pain tolerance was low, which only added to her distress. When Elen first started her periods at the age of 14, she thought the pain was a normal part of growing up. However, as the years went by, the pain intensified, and she sought help from various doctors. Each time, she was met with the same response: that her pain was not serious and that she should consider taking a contraceptive pill. Elen felt uncomfortable with this suggestion, especially since she was not sexually active. As her condition worsened, she found herself unable to walk or even leave her home at times. She vividly recalled moments when the pain felt like 'being repeatedly stabbed,' and she knew deep down that something was wrong. After seeing other individuals share their experiences with endometriosis on TikTok, Elen began to connect the dots regarding her own symptoms. While studying in Cardiff at the age of 21, she decided to seek help from another doctor. Unfortunately, this doctor also laughed at her and insisted that her pain tolerance was too low. Feeling defeated, Elen requested to see a female doctor, who finally validated her concerns and agreed that she could have endometriosis. However, when she underwent an ultrasound and an MRI, both tests came back clear. Elen refused to give up and insisted on further testing, which ultimately led to the discovery of her stage four endometriosis. This diagnosis revealed that the disease had spread to her bowel, bladder, fallopian tubes, and kidney. Currently, Elen is on a four-year waiting list for surgery, but she has taken to TikTok to raise awareness about endometriosis and the struggles that come with it. Endometriosis is a gynecological condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other areas of the body, such as the fallopian tubes, pelvis, and intestines. In rare cases, it can even be found in the lungs, eyes, spine, and brain. Symptoms of endometriosis can include severe pain, fatigue, and heavy periods, and it is also associated with infertility. Elen expressed her frustration at being made to feel like she was 'dramatising' her symptoms. Through her own research, she has made lifestyle changes to manage her condition, such as reducing her alcohol and caffeine intake, engaging in low-impact exercise, and prioritising sleep. Elen believes that there is a stigma surrounding endometriosis, and she is determined to help erase it. She has called on the Welsh government to provide more funding, better information, and greater sensitivity towards women's health issues. Elen feels that doctors should spend more time exploring symptoms and offering alternative solutions rather than simply prescribing pills. The Welsh government has acknowledged the importance of addressing endometriosis and has outlined it as one of the priorities in their Women's Health Plan for Wales. They have already funded endometriosis nurses in every health board and developed a website to provide information about the condition. Elen hopes that by sharing her story, she can contribute to a better understanding of endometriosis and help improve the treatment and support available for women suffering from this condition.