A former Miss Ireland was told her painful medical condition would not be prioritised for treatment until she wanted children. 

Chelsea Farrell began getting painful periods with heavy bleeding when she was just 12-years-old. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, she recalled that even at this young age, she knew this was not right but the medical profession refused to take her seriously. 

“I sought help eventually because I knew I wasn't like all the other girls,” she explained. 

“It was just like a door shut in my face from the beginning and it was really, really daunting.

“So, I suppose I went through years of just being dismissed.” 

After a while, Ms Farrell just accepted that as how things were, but as she got older, the pain she endured while menstruating got progressively worse. 

“I was a little bit older and I collapsed in work and was rushed into ED,” she said. 

“But this was the first incident and the first time I came face to face with the health care system and realised how bad it was.

“That was the first time I actually got referred to a consultant and was taken seriously.” 

From that point, it took two and a half years of tests and scans to get a diagnosis of Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), endometriosis and a dermoid cyst.

However, even once she was diagnosed, Ms Farrell found doctors were not especially interested in treating her. 

“It's kind of scary because there was no education, like no reassurance and no pathway of care,” she said. 

“That's my biggest thing with the health care system for women with PMOS. 

“So, I was just told I'd be put on a waiting list, which we all know means nothing. 

“But again, come back to us if you want kids and we'll take you more serious then.”

It was only when Ms Farrell was rushed into surgery after 36 hours in an emergency department that she met a consultant who took her seriously. 

It was a meeting that changed her life. 

“I have a beautiful baby girl now, but for she [what] did, I would have lost my whole reproductive system,” she said. 

“Because of what was going on inside my body that no one was listening to. 

“There are incredible doctors out there that because of their knowledge, they can do what us women need. 

“But unfortunately, that knowledge needs to go across the board.”

Main image: A doctor holding stethoscope. Picture by: Alamy.com.