“You shouldn’t be in this much pain just from periods”

19 March 2025 | Gynaecology | Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects 1 in 7 Australian women by the age of 49. Tori Parsons is among the many with this misunderstood and often underdiagnosed condition. For Endometriosis Awareness Month, she’s sharing her story.

For many women, getting diagnosed with endometriosis feels like an uphill battle. They often face systemic dismissal, intense pain, and limited medical options.

Tori Parsons was 15 when she first began experiencing symptoms.

“I had really irregular periods. The pain was so intense that I often stayed home from school because I couldn’t get out of bed,” Tori remembers.

As she navigated her teenage years, she found herself increasingly reliant on over-the-counter pain relief just to get through each cycle. Despite repeated visits to doctors, the prevailing attitude was one of dismissal. Her symptoms were simply chalked up to ‘normal period pain.’

Endometriosis is a chronic disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it. This causes severe pain, infertility, it affects mental health and has a number of other serious health complications. 

On average, it takes seven years to receive a diagnosis. For Tori, that process was only expedited by the sheer severity of her symptoms.

At 16, she found herself in the emergency department for the fifth time in a year, crippled by severe abdominal pain. An ultrasound suggested a ruptured ovarian cyst, and she was sent home. When the pain persisted with no visible cause showing on her scans, doctors continued to brush it off.

It wasn’t until she encountered a young male doctor – who reviewed her repeated emergency visits – that someone finally took her pain seriously.

“He told me, ‘This is so wrong. You shouldn’t be in this much pain just from periods,’” Tori says.

He referred her to the Warrnambool Women’s Health Service, where she finally found the medical support she needed.

Within months, Tori underwent a laparoscopy. This is a keyhole surgery that is currently the only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis. The endometriotic tissue was found on her bladder, bowels, and uterus.

For many women, receiving a diagnosis is a double-edged sword. There is relief in finally having an answer, but frustration at the years spent suffering in silence. Tori’s journey did not end there.

She underwent multiple treatments, including hormonal therapy and surgical removal of the tissue. While some relief from her symptoms followed, the pain inevitably returned, leading her to seek further specialist care at the Women’s.

Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Philippa Costley became Tori’s treating doctor last year.

“At the Women's we care for many women experiencing chronic pelvic pain and endometriosis,” Dr Costley says.

“Symptoms can be severe, ranging from period pain, painful intercourse, pain with passing urine or bowel motions; as well as difficulty conceiving.

For many women, treating these symptoms can be life changing and significantly improve their quality of life. Many of our patients also participate in clinical trials which helps us to ensure we are continuing to provide the most up to date, evidenced-based care.”

As a leading tertiary hospital, the Women’s sees women from all over Victoria.

“For our regional patients, such as Tori, we provide telehealth services whenever possible. As a tertiary referral service, it is essential that local gynaecology units are able to refer patients that need more specialised care.”

As Endometriosis Awareness Month progresses, Tori hopes her story will inspire others to keep fighting for the care they need.

“You have to keep pushing,” she says. “Because no one else will do it for you.”