The growing issue of waiting lists for gynaecological care in the UK is leaving many women in pain, with some enduring severe symptoms for years before they can see a specialist. The majority of women face an impossible choice: either they suffer as their condition worsens while waiting for NHS care, or they are priced out of essential private services, highlighting a deepening healthcare crisis with no simple solution. Portsmouth journalism student Rositsa Chinova reports.
A recent survey by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) reveals waiting lists of up to 750,000 for non-cancer gynaecology appointments in the NHS, with 31,000 waiting over a year and suffering from severe symptoms. The report also shows that gynaecology waiting lists have grown by a third since 2022.
‘When the pain started happening, that’s when I got concerned’
Ivayla Zaeva, a 24-year-old nail technician from Southsea, Portsmouth, also known as Izzy, is one of many women still waiting for adequate medical treatment.
Originally from Bulgaria, Izzy has been living in the UK for about seven years now. Her struggle with the healthcare system began in 2021 when she started experiencing severe pain.
“I have always had heavy and painful periods so I didn’t pay attention to them really ever. But when the pain started happening, that’s when I got concerned and wanted to see a doctor straight away,” she said.
Initially, Izzy did not seek help from the NHS. In November 2021, she had a trip to Bulgaria, where she visited a gynaecologist. During the visit, the doctor performed a smear test and a microbiology test to determine the cause of her symptoms.
“The test came out positive for a bacteria called Ureaplasma, whose symptoms were similar to what I was experiencing. For this, I was given an antibiotic for about a week,” she said.
She added that in Bulgaria, doctors typically treat both partners when dealing with sexually transmitted bacteria and infections, a practice not commonly followed in the UK.
What is Ureaplasma?
Ureaplasma is a group of bacteria that reside in the urinary and reproductive tracts. It is found in up to 70% of sexually active adults, both in men and women, and can be transmitted through sexual contact. While most people with a Ureaplasma infection experience no symptoms, some may develop signs such as urethral inflammation, pain during urination, and a burning sensation.
Despite the treatment, Izzy’s symptoms did not subside. She soon discovered that they returned once the course of antibiotics was finished.
Upon returning to the UK, she told the details surrounding her diagnosis to her GP, hoping to receive the treatment she needed.
“I mentioned everything the doctor in Bulgaria had told me, but they said they don’t treat this bacteria (Ureaplasma) in England. Even though I knew which antibiotic I needed, they told me they couldn’t help,” she said.
The NHS does not routinely test for Ureaplasma in its standard sexually transmitted infection (STI) tests due to the complexities involved in the analysis. The test itself is straightforward, typically requiring only a urine sample or vaginal swab. As a result, people seeking a diagnosis must often turn to private clinics, where the cost can exceed £100 just to confirm whether or not they have the infection.
Feeling unsupported, Izzy sought alternative care. She said: “I wasn’t getting any help, so in January or February 2022, I decided to visit a private clinic in London. By then, I had started experiencing extremely painful UTIs that are continuing to this day for over three years now.”
Izzy explained the only test performed by the private gynaecologist was a transvaginal ultrasound, which raised concerns about a possible diagnosis of a serious condition called Endometriosis.
“They said they can’t do anything because they didn’t have labs and everything, so I didn’t get properly diagnosed at that point,” she said.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a gynaecological condition linked to menstruation, where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the uterus, affecting areas such as the fallopian tubes, pelvis, vagina, and intestines. Symptoms include severe to debilitating pain, fatigue, and heavy periods. The condition is also associated with infertility.
Currently, laparoscopy is the most common procedure and the only way to definitively diagnose endometriosis.
Without further tests to confirm her condition, Izzy was placed on a year-long waiting list for surgery by her GP, with no additional information provided about the procedure.
For serious conditions, GPs should always conduct further tests before referring patients for surgery.
At this point, the 24-year-old decided to return to her home country for a second opinion, highlighting the differences between the healthcare systems.
“I went to the best specialised gynaecological hospital, and they did every possible thing to see where the problem could be coming from. The doctor, who also specialises in Endometriosis, confirmed I do not have the smallest trace of the condition,” she said.
Izzy’s battle with the NHS continues. She shared a final message to Portsmouth women: “To everyone that’s suffering, try and find an alternative treatment in another country because the NHS will not help you. Or if they help you, it will be after a long and painful route.”
