Breaking the Cycle of Pain: A Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital patient shares her journey with endometriosis

Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital is marking National Endometriosis Awareness Month by highlighting the story of one patient whose life has been transformed through specialist care. Led by world‑renowned Gynaecological Surgeon and Endometriosis Specialist, Professor Mohamed Mabrouk, the hospital’s expert team is calling for greater awareness and understanding of this often‑misunderstood condition.

Endometriosis affects around 1 in 10 people in the UK, with more than 1.5 million currently living with the condition. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, leading to inflammation, scarring and chronic pain. This year, Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital has once again been recognised as an Endometriosis Centre of Excellence by the British Society of Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE)—the sixth consecutive year the hospital has received this accreditation. 

For more than ten years, 32‑year‑old gardener Tatsiana Ivonchyk endured severe pelvic pain that disrupted both her work and daily life. Despite repeatedly seeking help, she struggled to find answers or relief.

“I was in pain for ten years,” Tatsiana explains. “It was impacting my ability to continue my work as a gardener. The pain and stress of living with endometriosis symptoms every day was becoming unbearable.”

Although an earlier MRI scan suggested endometriosis, Tatsiana did not have a clear treatment pathway. When she discovered she could access private healthcare through her husband’s medical insurance, she decided to explore further options—leading her to Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital and Professor Mabrouk.

“Professor Mabrouk was the first medical professional who took my pain and symptoms seriously,” she says. “For the first time, I felt truly heard. I knew I could trust him to treat me appropriately.”

Professor Mabrouk, who also serves as President of the European Endometriosis League (EEL), is internationally recognised for his expertise in treating complex cases of endometriosis. He emphasises the importance of early diagnosis and specialist management:

“Endometriosis is a complex and often underestimated condition, where delay in diagnosis remains one of the greatest challenges we face. Too many women live for years with pain that is not fully understood, often feeling unheard or uncertain about what lies ahead. This is precisely why early diagnosis and timely management are essential, and why this disease must be managed by dedicated endometriosis specialists within specialised centres, where the expertise, experience and multidisciplinary support are in place. From accurate imaging and surgical precision to coordinated postoperative care, this approach ensures not only safety but meaningful, lasting outcomes. When we intervene early and work as a cohesive team, we do not simply treat disease; we restore quality of life. There is something profoundly rewarding, for every member of the team, in witnessing a patient regain control, return to work, reconnect with family, and finally live without the burden of chronic pain. It is in these moments that we are reminded that what we do goes far beyond surgery—we truly have the privilege of making a meaningful difference”

Following endometriosis excision surgery at Spire Cambridge Lea Hospital, Tatsiana says her life has changed dramatically.

“I am really enjoying life without the persistent pain endometriosis caused me. I’m able to work again, exercise and socialise without pain. My mental health has improved so much too.”

For Tatsiana, finally understanding the root cause of her pain lifted years of anxiety and uncertainty.

“For the first time in years, I felt like someone genuinely understood what I was going through. That alone made such a difference.”