Your Pain Is Real: Finding Support for Endometriosis and Chronic Pelvic Pain in Ireland

By September 8, 2026

You know your body and you know better than anyone else, when something feels wrong with it. If you are a woman living with chronic pelvic pain, chronic or acute lower back pain, exceptionally heavy or painful periods, pain or deep internal pain during or after intimacy, or a range of unexplained pelvic pain discomfort, you may have wondered whether endometriosis or adenomyosis could be part of the picture.

For many women, getting an answer can take far too long. Internationally, the diagnostic delay for endometriosis is often reported as eight years or more, although there are currently no specific Irish statistics for diagnostic delay.

You might like to read…[Endometriosis, Your pain in Real. Period]

My own experience was a wait of around three years, and I was absolutely shocked (and angry) to discover after investigative surgery that I had stage two endometriosis. My pain was chronic with acute lower back pain which radiated down one leg, not the most typical symptoms for Endometriosis – yet common.

During pregnancy I was told it was just sciatica.

After pregnancy I was told it was anxiety and postpartum symptoms and to be expected.

Eventually as the pain persisted it became unmanageable, as my psychological health and parenting took a hit.

During those three years, I sought help from over ten different health professionals in search of answers, rehabilitation and pain relief. Not one suggested that endometriosis might be contributing to my symptoms or that I should be referred onwards for investigation for chronic pain.

“You know your body. If something doesn’t feel right, it is okay to keep asking questions and finding solutions. You are the expert on your body.”

Having visited by GP many times during this period and being dismissed, misdiagnosed and medically gaslit on most occasions while also be advised to do activity which would further aggravate my chronic pain symptoms such as ‘high intensity training three times a week‘.

During two trips to the GP for chronic and radiating pain I completed a flexibility test with two different male GPs. They identified that because I was indeed flexible, I therefore must not have lower back pain.

This is called medical gaslighting.

Eventually many tears and sleepless nights later – I self referred to a Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist at the Women’s Health Group in Kilkenny, Ireland which by change my own sibling had recently attended. Not long after having had private investigative surgery and treatment I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Endometriosis which resolved much of my chronic pelvic and lower back pain. It was due to my organs (that being my womb and ovaries) being essentially stuck together due to endometrial tissue causing intense chronic lower back pain.

My pain was real.

Still, now in 2026, many years on I hear women in my practice who attend for psychotherapy to discuss the psychological impact of having Endometriois and chronic conditions and in many forums online women are still not signposted at every direction. What’s worse, is that living with chronic pain makes us vulnerable and unable to identify and determine the supports and interventions that may be part of the solution.

Pain in your bodies way of telling you something is not right. If you are currently living with unexplained pelvic pain, chronic lower back pain or endometriosis pain, pre or post surgery please don’t assume that you simply have to live with it.

Take a read of my previous article ‘25 Ways to Be a Strong Health Self-Advocate’ for some ideas and suggestions to help you prepare for your appointments.

Your Guide to Getting Support for Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain in Ireland

I have curated a list of some suggestions which I wish I had access to when I was seeking answers. Always seek the guidance and advice from a medical professional/s and be savvy with the information you find on forums which may not always be accurate. Here are some places to start.

1. Start with your GP

Make an appointment with your GP or women’s health clinic and take a written list of your symptoms with you.

Include information about:

pelvic or lower back pain
period pain or exceptionally heavy periods
pain during or after sex
bowel or bladder symptoms
bloating
fatigue
fertility difficulties
cyclical symptoms or pain that changes throughout your menstrual cycle.
Types of pain, how long it lasts etc

You may also find it helpful to track your symptoms over several weeks or months. A symptom-tracking app such as the new free Fendo App may be useful for recording patterns and giving you something concrete to discuss with your GP.

The HSE advises women experiencing symptoms that could indicate endometriosis to speak with their GP, and current Irish guidance is moving towards a more structured national approach to endometriosis care. I have included a list of links that are useful below.

2. Ask about referral for endometriosis assessment

Ireland now has a National Framework for the Management of Endometriosis, which is being used to improve how women with suspected or diagnosed endometriosis are assessed and managed.

If you suspect endometriosis, ask your GP about referral through the appropriate endometriosis service in your area.

You may need to advocate for yourself during this process. I certainly had to. In my own experience, I had to apply twice and provide the full reports from previous surgery before I eventually saw the endometriosis team in the Coombe. It was disappointing, but I eventually got there.

If you have previously had surgery, scans, investigations or other relevant medical assessments, bring those reports with you and ask your GP to include them with your referral.

3. If you are living with chronic pain, get support for the pain too

Chronic pain isn’t simply a physical experience – but you already know that.

It can affect your psychological and emotional health, relationships, work, parenting, sexuality, sleep and your ability to care for yourself or others. Sometimes the pain becomes so consuming that your whole life begins to revolve around managing it.

This is where Chronic Pain Ireland can be an excellent source of support.

Chronic Pain Ireland supports, educates and advocates for people living with chronic pain throughout Ireland. They provide information, self-management resources, online programmes, events and a confidential support phone line.

They also have resources specifically addressing the relationship between chronic pain and mental health, recognising that persistent pain can have a significant impact on emotional wellbeing.

You don’t have to wait until you have a diagnosis before looking for support with living with pain.

4. Consider seeing a gynaecologist

If you are living with ongoing pelvic pain, gynae pain or significant period-related symptoms, a gynaecologist may be able to help with further investigation and symptom management.

Depending on your circumstances, this might include assessment, ultrasound, smear and STI tests or other investigations, and discussion of treatment options. Hormonal treatments and contraception options may also be considered for some women to help manage symptoms.

Importantly, investigations such as ultrasound or MRI can be useful, but they do not necessarily identify all endometriosis. The appropriate investigation and treatment pathway will depend on your individual symptoms and circumstances. If you have private health insurance, check what cover your policy provides as you may have access to private consultation on your day to day expenses. If you are a medica card holder, you can request a referral to your local HSE Gynaecologist service but expect a long waiting list.

5. Seriously consider in specialist pelvic physiotherapy

Specialist pelvic health physiotherapists can be an important part of the multidisciplinary team supporting women with pelvic pain, endometriosis, dyspareunia and genito pelvic/penetration pain disorders (GPPPD). And as someone who works alongside may pelvic physiotherapists, I think they are truly wonderful. Having a physiotherapist in your journey supporting you on your journey is hugely beneficial. They are so knowledgeable and insightful and are passionate about women’s pelvic and whole body health.

A specialist pelvic physio can work with you on movement, pelvic floor function, pain management and appropriate exercises, depending on your presentation. They can also become one of those really valuable people in your corner — someone who understands that there are good days and very difficult days, and that managing chronic pelvic pain is about much more than simply being given a list of exercises.

Again, a gentle reminder if you have private health insurance to check your cover for pelvic physiotherapy services.

Learn more about wonderful pelvic physiotherapists and physiotherapy have in popular Irish Podcasts called Celebrate Muliebrity with Michelle Lyons. Find out more on my podcasts page to take a listen to my episode with Michelle.

6. Connect with other women who are on the same road

There can be something incredibly powerful about talking to another woman who understands what it is like to live with endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain. I believe it is important that we engage with the supports and systems available to us, while also continuing to advocate for better services, earlier diagnosis and better lifelong care for women with endometriosis. Getting peer support from others helps light up your path ahead providing you with useful information first hand.

You might like to read…[DEARG Podcast: Orlagh Reid Psychotherapist on Endometriosis Support and Well-being Management]

Endometriosis Association of Ireland is Ireland’s national endometriosis organisation and provides information, awareness, community and advocacy for people affected by endometriosis. While they do not currently offer much to patients with endometriosis they do host an annual conference with special guests and experts to help raise awareness and education about the condition.

You shouldn’t have to navigate this alone.

7. Consider the HSE Living Well Programme

The HSE Living Well Programme is a free, six-week group self-management programme for adults living with long-term health conditions. It is designed to help you develop practical skills and confidence to manage the impact of your condition on everyday life. The programme covers areas such as managing symptoms, fatigue, pain, difficult emotions, problem-solving, communication, making decisions and developing an action plan for your health. Sessions are delivered by trained facilitators, including people with their own lived experience of long-term health conditions.

For women living with endometriosis or chronic pelvic pain, this may provide another layer of support alongside your medical care. Living Well is not a replacement for medical treatment or specialist care, but it can give you practical tools and connect you with other people who understand what it is like to live with a long-term condition.

The programme is available in different areas of Ireland, with some programmes offered online as well as in person. Availability and referral arrangements vary by area, so check the HSE Living Well information for your local programme.

Find out more about the HSE Living Well Programme

Sometimes living well with a chronic condition isn’t about finding one thing that makes everything better. It is about building a team, finding the right information and support, and learning how to care for yourself along the way.

Living with chronic pain is exhausting….

Living with chronic pain can be exhausting. You may find yourself becoming frustrated, anxious, low, angry, isolated or simply worn down by having to repeatedly explain what is happening in your body.

That doesn’t mean the pain is “in your head”. It means that living with persistent pain is difficult, and your psychological and emotional wellbeing deserves care alongside your physical health.

If you would like to talk to someone about how you are doing, I offer one-to-one counselling and psychotherapy online. My work focuses on creating a safe, compassionate and supportive space where we can explore what is happening for you and how you can begin to prioritise your own positive health and wellbeing.

I come to this work not only as a health professional and psychosexual therapist, but also as a woman and mother living with endometriosis. I was shocked and surprised by my own diagnosis espically because I knew about the condition Endometriosis. I know what it is like to spend years trying to understand pain that nobody seems to be able to explain.

Listen to the DEARG Podcast with Kathleen King

If you are trying to understand as much as you can about endometriosis or adenomyosis, the DEARG Podcast, hosted by Kathleen King, is well worth a listen. DEARG — Delivering Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Resources and Guidance — brings together expert guests, lived experience and practical conversations about navigating these conditions in Ireland. I was honoured to join Kathleen as a guest, sharing both my professional perspective as a psychotherapist and clinical sexology psychotherapist and my own lived experience of endometriosis, including the psychological, emotional, sexual and relational impact of living with chronic pain. You can find this interview below on YOUTUBE.

Kathleen King has since set up MISE IRELAND providing menstrual information specialising in endometriosis and now provides educational talks in schools around Ireland raising awareness of endometriosis and related conditions.

Rule Number One – Prioritise Yourself

Rule number one – prioritise yourself and stay focused on your daily positive health. One thing I know for sure is that keeping focused on your everyday positive health can make all the difference. Remember to take time out and downtime for yourself often. Have fun and find ways to relax in ways that suit your body right now. Get outdoors in the fresh air as often as possible and nourish your body with healthy and comforting foods that make you feel good.

As women, it does not come naturally to ask for help or to hand over responsibilities to our partners or siblings but if you are living with chronic pain this will ease your burden and free up time and energy. Not able to go out, have your friends and family over and bring food.

Find ways to make life work for you, say no often, ask for support, and be compassionate with yourself and your body with the energy you have right now.

Further support

This article is for information and signposting and is not a substitute for individual medical assessment or advice.

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Orlagh Reid

Orlagh Reid is an IACP accredited Counsellor & Psychotherapist, Addiction Counsellor, Gottman Couples Therapist and Fertility Counsellor in private practice based in Co. Kildare, Ireland and worldwide online via DOXY. She specialises in addiction, recovery, well-being and clinical sexology. To find out more or to book an online consultation visit www.orlaghreid.ie