"The whole experience was unbelievably invalidating"

Went to the gynaecology clinic after being on the waiting list for a long time. I went in feeling hopeful about getting help for the pain I am always in but left feeling defeated, invalidated and on the verge of tears.

The HCSW’s there were absolutely lovely couldn’t fault them they were kind and caring.

However I can’t say the same for the consultant. They were immediately dismissive of my symptoms due to my age. As soon as they read I was in my 20s they no longer seemed interested in helping me. I’ve been suffering from constant pain for 3 years and had other symptoms since my first period at the age of 12. Due to my age I got told the typical - it will probably just be your hormones. And told me I should continue on as I was. Constant pain, uncomfortable bloating and many other symptoms but because of my age I’ve just to deal with that.

The consultant came across as uninterested in what I was saying and acted like they didn’t want to be there. I honestly felt as though I was wasting my time even being there.

They very reluctantly put me forward for a diagnostic laparoscopy to look for endometriosis, but made it very clear that they doubted they would find anything. When they were talking me through the procedure and what could possibly happen, it felt like they were doing it in a way to scare me off from it so they didn’t have to bother to put me forward for it.

They then told me that if nothing showed, that would be it, they wouldn’t see me again. I don’t think this seems fair, surely there must be more tests than ultrasounds, blood tests and a laparoscopy. They said if they did find something, they would see me again, but I don’t think I would want to see this consultant again even if they did. 

The whole experience was unbelievably invalidating of what I am experiencing and I expected better from a specialist.