Sapphire Nottingham, a 25-year-old woman from Aston, Birmingham, has courageously shared her battle with endometriosis and adenomyosis — conditions that caused her debilitating pain and distressing symptoms for years before she received an accurate diagnosis.
From the age of 19, Sapphire experienced recurring urinary tract infections, severe abdominal pain, and bladder issues, including loss of bladder control and exhaustion. Despite repeatedly visiting A&E and consulting NHS doctors, she often felt ignored and dismissed. The chronic pain became so intense that she sometimes fell asleep on the toilet, trapped by her symptoms.
“I’ve spent years surviving rather than truly living,” Sapphire revealed. Her symptoms progressed to include nerve pain radiating to her back and legs, making walking difficult. Managing flare-ups meant enduring burns caused by overusing hot water bottles, which she says hurt less than the endometriosis pain itself.
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The impact has extended beyond physical suffering. Losing the ability to hold a job, Sapphire mourns the life she once had. “The grief comes from losing my old life — not being able to make plans without pain or carry out simple daily activities.”
Initial treatments targeted presumed urinary infections, but the actual cause remained undetected. After finally being referred to a urologist in 2024, and subsequently consulting a gynecologist, Sapphire turned to private healthcare for an MRI scan. This test confirmed she had deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) and adenomyosis.
“Having proof was life-changing after years of uncertainty and dismissal,” she said. Sapphire is now preparing for surgery later this year and hopes it marks the start of regaining control over her health.
By sharing her story, Sapphire hopes to raise awareness about endometriosis and encourage women experiencing similar struggles to persist in seeking answers. “No woman should have to fight so hard to be heard or believed.”