Athens as a Lifeline: Why I chose to go abroad for endometriosis surgery
Endometriosis is a deeply painful, chronic condition that affects hundreds of thousands. In Ireland, the Endometriosis Association estimates about 155,000 people live with this disease, yet access to specialists remains painfully slow for many. My own journey began with escalating, daily pain and a frustrating pattern of dismissals from the public system. After months of misdiagnoses, vague tests, and being told to “stop Googling,” I learned that living with endometriosis often means fighting not just the disease but the system itself. This is how I ended up in Athens, pursuing excision surgery under the Cross Border Directive.
Why Ireland’s system left me searching for care abroad
For years I battled symptoms that worsened with heat, bloating, back pain, and urinary discomfort. Despite visiting doctors, A&E, and clinics, I faced delays and a lack of clear answers. The public gynaecology waiting list stretched to ten months, while urology appointments remained unfixed. The frustrations weren’t just physical; they took a toll on my mental health. This was not an isolated experience—many Irish women report similar gaslighting and dismissiveness within the system. When I found that a fully diagnostic pathway and targeted excision could dramatically reduce pain, crossing borders began to feel like a necessary act of self-advocacy rather than a luxury.
The decision to travel under the Cross Border Directive
In April, with the Irish appointment clock still ticking, I started gathering information and joining groups of other women who had undertaken similar journeys. A GP supported the plan to pursue care abroad under the Cross Border Directive, which allows EU residents to seek medical treatment in another member country when waiting times at home are unacceptable. After weeks of planning, I secured a surgery date in Athens with endometriosis specialist Dr Konstantinos Kyriakopoulos, a surgeon well known to many Irish patients. It felt terrifying but necessary—three simple words framed the decision: relief, control, freedom.
The Athens experience: consultation, consent, and care that felt respectful
Upon arrival, the first consultations included an ultrasound and a thorough walk-through of consent. The surgeon discussed what might be found and asked how I would want to proceed if the disease extended to other organs. This form of informed consent, and the clarity with which risks and plans were communicated, stood in sharp contrast to earlier Irish experiences. I left the consult feeling supported and more in control of the outcome than I ever had before.
Excision surgery: what was found and why it mattered
The operation revealed extensive endometriosis—tissue invading areas beyond the uterus. My bladder and uterus were fused, ovaries beginning to adhere to the pelvic wall, and the ureters tethered to the abdominal wall. The surgeon explained the corrections and resections, which aimed to remove endometriotic tissue and restore pelvic structure. Three hours in the operating room, and a life-altering relief soon followed. My body felt different—less inflamed, less burdened by pain—and I finally understood why so many of us endure years of suffering before finding real relief.
Recovery, reflections, and a forward-looking plan
Three days post-excision, I experienced a mix of tenderness and elation. Sleep was scarce, not from worry but from the relief that pain no longer defined my every moment. I’ll return home soon with stories to tell and a renewed advocacy aim: to bring the standard of specialist care I found in Athens to Ireland. The journey isn’t over—endometriosis is a chronic condition, and long-term management will be essential. Yet this experience proved that timely, compassionate, and informed care is possible, even across borders.
A call to action: improving access to endometriosis care in Ireland
My story is a reminder that medical delays in Ireland aren’t just statistics—they’re real people in real pain. The goal now is to channel experiences like mine into tangible changes: faster access to endometriosis specialists, better recognition of symptoms that defy easy tests, and a system that treats patients with dignity rather than skepticism. If Ireland can learn from these cross-border experiences, the true victory would be a health system where no one has to leave home to find timely, effective care.
About the author
Katie Gartland is a 27-year-old Dublin-based musician and piano teacher who wants to advocate for better endometriosis treatment in Ireland. She shares her journey to Athens to highlight what is possible when access and compassion align.
