'I was sick with cramps but people didn't believe the pain was real'
Her symptoms worsened over time, with the pain becoming so intense it would leave her vomiting and breaking out in cold sweats.
Britt says her concerns were dismissed and she lived in pain for more than a decade before finally being diagnosed with adenomyosis – a common but under-recognised womb condition that experts warn is still being routinely missed.
'I would get labour-type contractions, and I'd be physically sick from the pain,' Britt told STV News.
'It got to the point where I had to plan my life around my period. I knew it wasn't normal, but no one took it seriously.'
Despite repeated visits to her GP, it took over 15 years before Britt was diagnosed. When she finally received treatment, doctors found her uterus was the size of someone who had given birth multiple times, despite her never having been pregnant.
Britt was initially diagnosed with endometriosis, another common but often misunderstood condition.
It was only after a second surgery that she was diagnosed with adenomyosis – a condition where the lining of the uterus grows into the muscular wall, often causing the womb to enlarge and thicken.
'The only cure right now is a hysterectomy,' she said. 'That's not a choice anyone should be forced into just to get relief. You're essentially losing an organ.'
Now running a support group for others with endometriosis and adenomyosis, Britt says one of the most difficult parts of the journey is not being believed, even by close friends and family.
'So many women in our group say the same thing, people around them don't believe the pain is real. That's heartbreaking. It makes you feel invisible.'
Experts say adenomyosis could affect as many as one in ten women, but diagnosis rates remain low due to a lack of awareness and limited diagnostic tools.
Dr Varsha Jain, a clinical research fellow at the University of Edinburgh, is among those calling for more investment in non-invasive testing.
'Historically, adenomyosis was only diagnosed after a hysterectomy, which means many women were simply missed,' she said. 'We're now working on better imaging and early detection, but we need more research, and more funding to properly understand this disease.'
The Scottish Government says women's health is a top priority.
Women's health minister Jenni Minto told STV News that a second phase of the Women's Health Plan is now in development, with £250,000 earmarked for research into menstrual health conditions, including adenomyosis.
For Britt, that support can't come soon enough.
'When you're in chronic pain all the time, you lose your sense of self,' she said. 'I want other women to know they're not alone. There's a whole community out there and we deserve better.'
Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
STV News
6 hours ago
- STV News
Doctors urged to have say on future of profession
Doctors in Scotland are being asked for their views on the future of the profession. A 'once-in-a-generation' project has been launched to look at the current shape of the health service and gauge the views of the profession on how it should look in the next 15 to 20 years. The health service has gone through a period of prolonged struggle in the past decade, with high waiting times and long lists of Scots yet to be seen or treated. Multiple political parties have said there is a need for reform in the NHS to ensure it is sustainable in the long term, but few concrete ideas have been put forward by Government. As part of the first phase of the Future Medical Workforce initiative, doctors are being asked to come forward for a series of focus groups looking at the future of training, recruitment and workforce planning – but the project will not cover the pay and conditions of medics. Health secretary Neil Gray said: 'This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of the medical workforce and create a sustainable, fulfilling career path for doctors in Scotland. 'We know the NHS faces major challenges, and it is vital that those living the reality of what it means to be a doctor today are at the heart of shaping what comes next. 'I strongly encourage doctors across Scotland to get involved in this work. Your voice matters and your insight will help ensure that the future of our health service is informed, inclusive and resilient.' Focus groups are due to begin this month, with doctors asked to sign up at Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The Herald Scotland
8 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Quarter of a million NHS Scotland patient falls in 5 years
Labour's call comes as there were at least 266,573 patient falls between 2019 and 2024, according to Freedom of Information data obtained by the party. When incidents in 2025 were included, this number rose to 282,385. With nine out of 14 health boards reporting an increase, the figures show that patients are becoming more likely to fall. Patient falls rose 75 per cent in NHS Orkney - from 114 incidents in 2019 to 200 in 2024 - and in hospitals overseen by NHS Dumfries they rose by a third. The highest amount of falls took place in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde with 71,870 incidents recorded between 2019 and 2025. The least amount of falls were recorded in NHS Shetland where 466 incidents took place over the same period of time. Standard hospital guidance recommends avoiding clutter, individual risk assessments and ensuring patients at risk of falling should have a clear route to a toilet. Just under a quarter of the [[NHS Scotland]] estate was built in the 1960s and 1970s and last year the SNP froze plans to build new hospitals, treatment centres and surgeries, citing budgetary pressures. It is estimated it would cost around £8.5bn to replace these buildings. The figures also come amidst a backdrop of long waits for care in Scotland as one in six Scots are currently on an NHS waiting list. READ MORE: Analysis: A night in Scotland's troubling NHS corridor care NHS health board admits 'no competence' in later abortion care 'Deeply alarming' cervical screening uptake in Scotland Scottish Government misses key skin cancer quality targets Scottish Government urged to improve NHS governance to deliver reforms Commenting on the latest figures, Scottish Labour's Health Spokesperson Jackie Baillie said: "Falls can be lifechanging for older and more vulnerable patients — these figures should be a warning of how easily Scotland's crumbling hospitals can become a deathtrap for the frail. "With long queues at A&E and out-of-date hospitals, hard-working NHS staff are already stretched to breaking point. "The SNP must act now to ensure that patients don't come to unnecessary harm because of the condition of the estate or overcrowding. "Our NHS needs a new direction — a Scottish Labour government will modernise our hospitals and ensure they are fit for the future." Scottish Ministers expect NHS Boards to be open with patients about what happened and to learn lessons to prevent it happening again when incidents like falls occur. The Scottish Government has said they are committed to patient safety. A spokesperson said: 'Patient safety is paramount and Scottish Ministers are committed to ensuring all health and care is safe, effective and patient-centred. 'In 2025-26, NHS Boards received increased investment in their baseline funding, bringing total investment to over £16.2 billion. 'And the Scottish Government's Budget is providing more than £1 billion in capital investment, with £140 million additional funding targeted at high risk areas of maintenance and repair of the existing estate, equipment and digital replacement."
Daily Record
8 hours ago
- Daily Record
Hospitals branded 'death traps' after over 250,000 falls recorded
The figures were uncovered by Scottish Labour, whose deputy leader Jackie Baillie criticised the SNP Government. Hospitals have been branded as 'death traps for the frail" after over 250,000 falls were recorded. Nine out of fourteen health boards have seen an increase in fall as the SNP Government were urged to make the health service safer. Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: 'Falls can be lifechanging for older and more vulnerable patients — these figures should be a warning of how easily Scotland's crumbling hospitals can become a deathtrap for the frail. "The SNP must act now to ensure that patients don't come to unnecessary harm because of the condition of the estate or overcrowding. According to the figure s, there were at least 266,573 patient falls between 2019 and 2024. When the early months of 2025 are included, the number rises to 282,385. In NHS Borders, the number of recorded falls jumped by 29% and by 75% in Orkney. Other boards witnessing a rise over a five year period were Dumfries and Galloway, Fife, Forth Valley and Highland. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde recorded a 7% increase while the figure in Lanarkshire was 6%. Labour say an NHS staffing crisis and hospital over-crowding have made facilities more unsafe. The SNP Government has also frozen plans to build new hospitals due to funding pressures. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'Patient safety is paramount and Scottish Ministers are committed to ensuring all health and care is safe, effective and patient-centred. 'In 2025-26, NHS Boards received increased investment in their baseline funding, bringing total investment to over £16.2 billion. 'And the Scottish Government's Budget is providing more than £1 billion in capital investment, with £140 million additional funding targeted at high risk areas of maintenance and repair of the existing estate, equipment and digital replacement.
