Teen told extreme pain was her 'body growing'

A TEEN suffering endometriosis was told the symptoms were just 'her body growing' and 'getting used to birth control'.

- By Isla Robertson

Bethany Smith, 19, had battled with the pain of the condition for three years but says it was only after she went private, that she began to be “taken seriously” by doctors.

The disease that causes tissue similar to the lining of the uterus to grow outside of the organ, affects one in 10 women across the UK and can cause severe cramps and heavy bleeding - and in some cases lead to infertility.

Bethany, from Greenock, began experiencing extreme pain in 2022. After ruling out appendicitis and a twisted ovarian cyst, medics told her the pain was 'just her body growing' and 'getting used to' birth control.