When the Irish system let me down
Endometriosis affects an estimated 155,000 people in Ireland, yet many women still face delays, disbelief, and a lack of specialist care. My own journey began with relentless pelvic pain and a cascade of confusing symptoms that medical professionals struggled to address. Since August 2024, daily pain, urinary urgency, and an alarming sequence of UTI-like symptoms without infection took a toll on my body and mind. I bounced from GP to A&E, where comments like “stop Googling” were disheartening reminders that receiving a correct diagnosis can be a fight in itself. The public system’s gynaecology waiting list stretched to ten months, and I was still waiting for urology input as I watched other patients secure more timely attention in different countries.
My story isn’t unique. Many Irish women report similar experiences of gaslighting and dismissal, leaving them sifting through private options, charitable odds and ends, or simply bearing the pain. The weight of chronic illness, its social stigma, and the financial strain of seeking care abroad converge to create a precarious health landscape. For those with endometriosis, the lack of timely, specialist care can mean years of unnecessary suffering and uncertainty about the future.
The decision to seek care abroad
In April, with Ireland still unable to offer a clear path to relief, I took matters into my own hands. I began researching endometriosis care abroad, attended public events and conferences, and connected with other women who had undertaken similar journeys. The heat of the summer intensified my symptoms, and the mounting burden on my mental and physical health pushed me toward action. With the support of my GP, I pursued care under the Cross Border Directive, arranging treatment in Greece while remaining on the Irish health system’s radar as a patient in transition, not a lost cause.
What followed was a meticulous process of preparation, a sense of shared purpose with other patients, and a growing conviction that compassionate, transparent care could be the turning point I needed. The path required courage, a solid support network, and the willingness to advocate for myself when the system in my own country could not.
In Athens: transparency, consent, and expert care
The consultation with Dr. Konstantinos Kyriakopoulos—referred to by many Irish patients as Dinos—was a turning point. He explained the disease in clear terms and walked me through informed consent, a practice I had not previously encountered in such depth. He discussed potential surgical scenarios, including resection if the disease was found on the bowel or an appendectomy if the appendix was involved. His openness, the ultrasound findings, and the opportunity to express my preferences gave me a sense of control over the outcome I could realistically expect.
Leading up to surgery, I felt both terrified and hopeful. We took time to absorb the information, map out the steps, and ensure my family was prepared to support me. The actual surgery day began at 5am, with a calm check-in and a procedure that proceeded as scheduled. The care team provided updates, and I woke to a clear explanation of what had been found and how it was treated.
What the surgeon found and what relief looks like
The surgeon’s note was both astonishing and clarifying: my bladder and uterus were fused, my ovaries adhered to the pelvic wall, and the ureters were tethered to the abdominal wall—an anatomy that explained years of pain and complexity. The excision and careful dissection were designed to restore function and relieve pressure from the strangled nerves and tissues. Three days post-surgery, I was still tender but elated, the inflammation receding, and the pain that had ruled my life largely silenced by relief. The sense of being seen, heard, and truly cared was transformative.
A future that includes options for all
As I prepare to fly home to Dublin with two other Irish women who received similar care, I feel a renewed sense of hope—and a call to action. If Athens can provide such care under the Cross Border Directive, Ireland should strive to build a domestic system that matches in empathy, transparency, and expertise. Excision surgery, when performed by skilled endometriosis specialists, can offer a real chance to reclaim daily life. The goal is not to replace one country’s care with another’s, but to ensure every person with endometriosis has timely access to the best evidence-based options, supported by informed consent and compassionate clinicians.
Looking ahead: advocacy, reform, and patient-centered care
My journey is a testament to resilience and the power of patient advocacy. It also highlights systemic gaps that persist for many in Ireland. By sharing experiences, supporting one another, and pushing for reform, we can push for a future where endometriosis is recognised, diagnosed, and treated with the seriousness it deserves—close to home, without the chronic delays that erode quality of life.
Closing thoughts
Today I stand with renewed hope for a Ireland where compassionate, specialist endometriosis care is accessible to all who need it. My Athens experience is not an indictment of the medical profession abroad, but a call to action for change at home.
