Bell Post Hill woman diagnosed with endometriosis after 20 years of debilitating period pain

For almost 20 years, a Bell Post Hill woman thought the agony she was experienced was normal. Now, she is urging other women to not “discount their pain”.

Sophie Teague was diagnosed with endometriosis after almost two decades of pain. Picture: Alan Barber

For almost two decades, Sophie Teague thought her extreme period pain was normal.

The 31-year-old was diagnosed with endometriosis last year after a conversation with friends made her realise other women weren’t experiencing the same debilitating pain.

Endometriosis is a chronic pain condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the organ and causes severe pain.

“I always thought endometriosis meant women had to go to hospital during their period, which wasn’t me,” she said.

The Bell Post Hill resident would have to take days off school when she was younger, and stay home from work later in life.

Last year, a conversation with colleagues and friends revealed other women were having a very different experience when menstruating.

A friend of Ms Teague said she would only know she had her period if she went to the bathroom.

But Ms Teague would be in extreme pain for days, using medication and heat packs to ease the discomfort.

After a GP visit and ultrasound, she was diagnosed with stage 4, deep infiltrating endometriosis in June last year.

The tissue had spread to Ms Teague’s bowel.

“I was upset when I first found out because of the implications it has on fertility,” Ms Teague said.

“It was a bit of rollercoaster but I felt relieved that my pain wasn’t imaginary.”

She underwent a hysteroscopy, a procedure to look inside the uterus using a small camera, and a laparoscopy, a type of keyhole surgery to inspect the organs near the abdomen, in August.

She also had a four-hour-long surgery in November to remove the tissue causing her pain.

Ms Teague urged women to not “discount their pain” and have conversations about endometriosis to break down the stigma of period pain.

Gynaecology surgeon Dr Madeleine Ward said more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment options were “imperative” to treat women’s pain.

“About one millions Australians suffer from endometriosis,” she said.

“We’re increasingly seeing conversations normalising endometriosis.

“If pain is affecting your quality of life, it’s important to seek help around that … we don’t want people suffering in silence.”

Gynaecology surgeon Dr Madeleine Ward.

Dr Ward is a specialist affiliated with the Julia Argyrou Endometriosis Centre at Epworth Geelong, which was established two years ago to work towards a cure for the condition and improve current diagnosis and treatment options.

The centre has treated almost 450 patients and provided almost 650 episodes of care in the nurse-led clinic.

“We’re also looking at diagnostic pathways for endometriosis … and treatment options for deep infiltrating endometriosis involving the bowel, which is quite a severe form of endometriosis,” she said.

A Victorian government inquiry into women’s pain was announced earlier this year after a statewide survey found two in five women live with chronic pain.

The survey also found 50 per cent of women said period-related conditions, such as cramps and heavy flow, impacted their health and wellbeing.

The inquiry will examine systemic issues and solutions and hear directly from women across Victoria.

The Geelong Advertiser is highlighting issues affecting women in the region in the lead up to International Women’s Day on Friday.

The Addy is recognising the women who are the unsung ‘sheroes’ of Greater Geelong and the Surf Coast.

To nominate a woman in our community who is helping to support others, click here.

Originally published as Bell Post Hill woman diagnosed with endometriosis after 20 years of debilitating period pain