I was gaslit by doctors for 13 years over my crippling gynaecological conditions - they told me to just take paracetamol, medical misogyny is worse than ever
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A woman experiencing gynaecological health issues was repeatedly dismissed and told to 'just take paracetamol' by doctors during her 13-year battle to receive a correct medical diagnosis. Gabriella Pearson, 32, from Surrey, started having 'cripplingly painful' periods at the age of ten and is now unable to work or conceive naturally due to her conditions.
![[The 32-year-old, who started her periods at the age of 10, said that in 2024, 'medical misogyny' feels 'worse than ever']](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/10/16/93955051-14267623-image-m-113_1736524988445.jpg)
Doctors 'constantly dismissed' her pleas for help, labelled her 'emotional', and put her on the contraceptive pill at age 12, telling her her experience is 'part of being a woman' and 'to just get on with it'. It comes as a damning report by the Women and Equalities Committee found women are enduring painful gynaecological conditions due to 'medical misogyny' in the NHS.
![[Pictured: Gabriella Pearson, right, and Anna Cooper, left, the founders of Menstrual Health Project]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/15/15/93955057-14267623-Pictured_Gabriella_Pearson_right_and_Anna_Cooper_left_the_founde-a-2_1736955721154.jpg)
After a 13-year wait, Gabriella received an endometriosis diagnosis at age 23 after her mother noticed a small article on the condition in a newspaper and convinced doctors to book her in for a scan. Endometriosis occurs when cells in the lining of the uterus are found elsewhere in the body. According to the charity Endometriosis UK, it takes an average of seven-and-a-half years to get a diagnosis in the UK.
![[As well as grappling with severe gynaecological issues, Gabriella suffered from intense bowel pains]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/15/15/93955065-14267623-As_well_as_grappling_with_severe_gynaecological_issues_Gabriella-a-6_1736955721517.jpg)
Gabriella has since received two further diagnoses of adenomyosis, where the lining of the womb starts growing into the muscle in the wall of the womb, and fibromyalgia, a long-term condition causing pain all over the body. Her battle for recognition in the healthcare system has inspired her to co-create Menstrual Health Project to promote positive change and spread awareness of endometriosis and other menstrual conditions in schools, the workplace, and wider society.
![[She has co-founded Menstrual Health Charity, providing educational tools to raise awareness of menstrual health conditions]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/17/09/93955061-14267623-She_has_co_founded_Menstrual_Health_Charity_providing_educationa-a-6_1737104915484.jpg)
