For years, Evelyn Scott experienced agonizing stomach pain that was frequently dismissed by medical professionals as merely a "bad period." This chronic condition, endometriosis, not only significantly impacted her personal life, including her sex life and relationships, but also virtually destroyed her career as an academic researcher.
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it. This tissue can cause pain, inflammation, and scarring, often leading to severe discomfort during menstruation and affecting fertility. Scott, who began experiencing excruciatingly painful periods at age 13, estimates she developed the condition soon after.
Despite textbook symptoms, Scott faced years of disbelief from doctors. She reported being repeatedly told that her pain was "all in her head" or no worse than any other woman's. Initial diagnostic attempts through ultrasounds and blood tests came back normal, as the disease is not always detectable through these methods. The definitive diagnosis often requires a laparoscopy, a surgical procedure where a camera is inserted into the abdomen to visualize and remove the aberrant tissue.
Scott underwent seven unsuccessful laparoscopies, each time with visible endometriosis removed, only for it to regrow within months. The procedures and the persistent pain took a heavy toll. She recounts an instance where paramedics rushed her to the hospital due to vomiting, convulsions, and severe blood loss, only for a doctor to dismiss her symptoms as a "bad period."
The chronic pain and frequent hospitalizations severely affected her relationships and career. Intimacy became too painful, leading to the end of several relationships. Her ability to work was also compromised, contributing to her loss of a PhD position. She notes that even within the medical field, some practitioners were dismissive, with one doctor allegedly stating a procedure was being performed "to humour" her.
In a desperate attempt to find relief, Scott pursued a hysterectomy, a procedure to remove the uterus, womb, and ovaries. After being refused by NHS doctors for seven years, she funded the surgery privately in February 2025. However, the surgery did not provide a complete cure, as endometriosis can grow outside the pelvic cavity. The continued presence of estrogen, due to one remaining ovary, meant her pain often persisted.
Currently, Scott is undergoing hormone therapy to shut down her remaining ovary and is on a waiting list for its removal. She continues to manage chronic pain with a regimen of painkillers, including SSRIs for depression and high-dose opioids and anti-inflammatories for pain relief. When the pain becomes unbearable, she requires hospitalization for morphine.
Scott has since written a book, "A Bloody Scandal: How Medicine Fails Women In Pain," to expose what she describes as medical misogyny and to advocate for better understanding and treatment of conditions like endometriosis. She advises other women experiencing similar symptoms to insist on specialist help, take notes to appointments, and be prepared to advocate strongly for their health needs within the healthcare system.