Doctors dismissed ‘bad periods’ for 15 years – after 8 devastating miscarriages an invisible disease has ruined my life

A devastated lady claims that after eight miscarriages, she was left childless after having her illness disregarded by doctors for 15 years as “bad periods.”

According to Sophie Bunton, she started having heavy, painful periods at the age of 13 when she had her first menstrual cycle.

Sophie made an appointment with her doctor at the age of 15 after being bedridden every month and having to skip school. Her doctor suggested the combination pill.

However, she quit taking the drug after two years of battling its negative effects on her physical and emotional health.

According to the semi-permanent makeup artist, she spent the following ten years being referred to different doctors, who would attribute it to “bad periods.”

Sophie’s suffering increased over this period, and at the age of 19, she experienced her first miscarriage.

After losing a second child at the age of 21, the 30-year-old suffered a tragic six more losses throughout her pregnancy.

After having surgery to look into her symptoms more, Sophie was ultimately given a stage four endometriosis diagnosis in October of this year.

After it took so long for doctors to identify her, Sophie claimed she felt abandoned and that she thinks the gynecological condition was the cause of her eight miscarriages.

In order to support other women in pain, she is now speaking out about how her suffering was ignored for 15 years and encouraging them to keep pressing medical professionals for a diagnosis.

“I’ve had really bad pain and I was having really heavy periods from the start,” said Sophie, who lives in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

“They remained heavy and uncomfortable over the years, and I occasionally couldn’t go to school, which had an impact on my academic performance.

It also had an impact on my mental health, which culminated in a situation where it began to impair everything. Even at the ages of 14 or 15, my period kept me bedridden.

“I became pregnant when I was 19 and had my first miscarriage. Although it’s difficult to discuss, I believe that by being more transparent, I’ve benefited many girls.

“My undetected endometriosis was the cause of this miscarriage at this time.

“I basically waited around after this. There were countless appointments and phone calls.

“Everything was being attributed to irregular periods and [doctors] stating that miscarriages were extremely common, and I didn’t feel like I was being heard.”

Then, at the age of 21, I experienced a second miscarriage. Looking back, I completely attribute this to my endometriosis, and I believe I was six weeks along at the time.

“It was really challenging and had a significant impact on my mental health since I felt like the physicians weren’t listening to me.

“I went back to the doctors, but the never-ending cycle of waiting for referrals persisted. It was agonizing; the agony had gotten much worse.

“It felt like someone was repeatedly stabbing me in the stomach, and occasionally painkillers wouldn’t help. Every month, I was confined to bed because of my period.

“In all, I’ve experienced eight miscarriages. I believe it’s challenging because I grew up surrounded by friends and family who had kids. It’s really challenging, but I’m glad for them.”

Endometriosis is a condition in which cells that resemble those in the uterine lining proliferate in other bodily areas and can impact organs including the intestine and bladder.

When endometriosis patches break down and bleed during your period but are unable to leave your body, symptoms occur.

According to studies, those who have this illness are more likely to experience miscarriages, and symptoms include heavy periods and excruciating period pains.

Sophie says physicians discovered these cells growing on all of her organs after she had surgery, and she was also given an adenomyosis diagnosis.

A disorder known as adenomyosis occurs when the lining of the womb begins to develop into the muscle of the womb wall.

In addition to bloating, pelvic pain, and soreness during sex, it can cause pain and heavy bleeding during periods.

The symptoms of endometriosis have ‘ruined’ Sophie’s life since she began her period, impacting her physical and mental well-being.

Sophie claims that although she is relieved to have been diagnosed, she is sad because she feels that she has been “neglected” for a long time.

“It’s been going on for about 15 years and it’s affecting my business, friendships, and relationships,” Sophie stated. It has an impact on my emotional and physical health.

“Endometriosis is a disease that is unseen. Over the years, I’ve had to endure people asking me what I wear and why my stomach is so large. I’ve had to be mindful of my diet.

“I’ve been asked quite a few times if I’m pregnant as my stomach is so big. Even if it’s not my time of the month, my stomach can occasionally be really large.

“[When I was diagnosed], I felt neglected and quite upset and relieved at the same time. I didn’t expect to feel this way.

“I felt like I hadn’t been listened to, as this could have been prevented years and years ago.

“It’s the endometriosis, which is attached to all my organs. I had adenomyosis as well on my uterus. I have problems with my bowels too and this is all linked to endometriosis.

“At the moment, they are still doing more investigations. My stomach is very large at the moment. It’s really bloated and painful.”

‘Keep pushing’

Following her diagnosis, Sophie is now sharing her story to help other women suffering with similar symptoms and urges them to push for medical help.

Sophie said: “I would say to keep pushing, even if you don’t think you’re being listened to because I think I’ve left it too late.

“I’ve finally been referred to the mental health team as I never received any help despite having eight miscarriages.

“I guess it’s good that I am now being referred for all of this.

“I’ve been seen by a psychiatrist and all this is coming to light, but I’ve had to go through so many years of torture and pain – mentally, physically and emotionally just to be here.

“I feel let down by the system. I don’t think there’s enough help for it.

“Unless you have endometriosis I don’t think people know how bad it is, it’s ruined my life.

“Doctors said the endometriosis could be the reason for all my miscarriages but I 100 per cent believe this is the cause of them all.

“I like to think that I’m in the right hands now but I’m still going to do what I can to help other people. There definitely needs to be more awareness about endometriosis.”

A spokesperson for York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are sorry to hear that Miss Bunton has concerns about the care she has received.

“We are more than happy to follow this up with Miss Bunton if she is able to get in touch with us directly by contacting our Patient Experience Team.”

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