The Traitors contestant Elen Wyn has revealed the painful decade-long journey she endured before finally being diagnosed with endometriosis.
The Anglesey native, now 24, recalled how a GP dismissed her excruciating pain as a low tolerance for discomfort, leaving her without proper medical support for years.
Elen, who was eliminated in the second episode of the reality show, said her symptoms began when she was 14, causing her to frequently miss school and sports.
Despite her distress, doctors insisted she was simply experiencing normal period pain.
She was offered the contraceptive pill as a solution, but since she was not sexually active, she felt uncomfortable taking it.
As her condition worsened, Elen found herself unable to walk or leave the house due to the intensity of the pain, which she described as feeling like “barbed wire around her stomach” and “being repeatedly stabbed.”
Desperate for answers, she turned to TikTok, where she discovered other women with similar symptoms.
While studying in Cardiff at 21, she sought medical help again, only to be met with the same dismissive attitude. One male GP even laughed at her concerns.
Frustrated, she requested to see a female doctor, who immediately validated her experience and suspected endometriosis.
However, both an ultrasound and MRI scan failed to detect the condition, leaving Elen to push for a laparoscopy—a procedure that finally confirmed her stage four endometriosis.
By the time she was diagnosed, the disease had spread to her bowel, bladder, fallopian tubes, and kidney.
She is now on a four-year waiting list for surgery but has taken it upon herself to raise awareness about the condition through TikTok, advocating for better medical support and sensitivity toward women’s health.
Endometriosis, a gynecological condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows in other parts of the body, can cause debilitating pain, heavy periods, and infertility.
Research from Endometriosis UK revealed that in 2024, Wales had the longest diagnosis time in the UK, averaging nearly 10 years—an increase from nine years in 2020.
Elen criticized the lack of medical support she received while waiting for a diagnosis, saying she was only offered hormonal contraceptives but no other relief.
Through her own research, she has made lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol and caffeine intake, engaging in low-impact exercise, and prioritizing sleep, which has helped manage her symptoms.
Calling for greater awareness and funding, Elen urged the Welsh government to improve women’s healthcare by providing better information and treatment options beyond just the pill or the coil.
She also highlighted the stigma surrounding endometriosis, emphasizing the need to erase the perception that women exaggerate their symptoms.
In response, the Welsh government stated that endometriosis is one of eight key priorities in its Women’s Health Plan and confirmed it has funded endometriosis nurses in every health board.
It has also allocated £3 million to establish Women’s Health Hubs across Wales by March 2026 to support faster diagnosis and better management of menstrual conditions.
Despite these commitments, Elen remains determined to keep pushing for change, ensuring that others do not endure the same decade-long battle she faced in getting diagnosed.
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