The family of a young mum who took her own life while she suffered excruciating endometriosis pain are demanding an end to ‘medical misogyny’.
Nicola Thyne, 36, died in January 2024 after symptoms during years of agony caused by the condition were repeatedly dismissed as “bad periods”.
Her grieving mum, Elaine Watson, is now calling for all medical professionals to be given mandatory women’s health training after Nicola’s daughter Holly, 16, was also diagnosed with the crippling illness.
The 65-year-old gran told the Record: “Nicola was desperate for help in the months before her death.
“She repeatedly sought help as her pain worsened, even attending A&E several times, but all she got was medication.
“She was told she could get surgery, and was expecting to get an operation any day in January 2024 but then they suddenly said her case wasn’t urgent and that she was facing another 18-month wait. She died the following week.
View 8 ImagesNicola was an army medic when she was younger.(Image: Supplied)
“She told me many times that she wasn’t being listened to by doctors and she couldn’t continue living with the pain.
“She was failed by the NHS and she is not the only one who has suffered in this way who has been.
“I cannot stand by and let this happen to her daughter Holly, or watch any other family lose their loved one like we have.
“Awareness around women’s health has been poor for too long. It’s medical misogyny and we need dedicated research and proper training to make sure symptoms are recognised and treated early.”
View 8 ImagesNicola and Holly.(Image: Supplied)
Endometriosis is a debilitating condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside it.
These out-of-place growths respond to hormonal changes, causing inflammation, pain, and scar tissue.
Symptoms vary widely but commonly include severe pelvic pain, painful periods, and pain during or after intercourse.
In the worst cases, it can cause pain or bleeding in other areas, such as in the chest, which may cause shortness of breath and coughing up blood.
View 8 ImagesNicola also had a successful career as a mental health nurse before going into policing. (Image: Supplied)
A petition has now launched, called “Nicola’s Law”, urging the Scottish Government to ensure that all GPs and NHS healthcare professionals are better equipped to deal with conditions relating to women’s reproductive health, including endometriosis, menstrual disorders and chronic gynaecological illnesses.
It has so far attracted more than 25,000 signatures and reached the Scottish Parliament.
Elaine hopes that the change that will become Nicola’s legacy help protect future generations of women, including grandaughter Holly.
Nicola, from Bathgate, was a former soldier, mental health nurse and Police Scotland officer who loved travelling and taking her two children on adventures around the world.
View 8 ImagesElaine and Nicola.(Image: Supplied)
Elaine explained that she had experienced painful periods from a young age, but was continually fobbed off by doctors who said she was simply suffering from period pain – despite her symptoms.
She was only diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 34, having spent the majority of her life in intense agony.
Elaine continued: “I always had her at the doctors when she was young, but they’d just say she suffered from bad periods.
“I knew the pain she went through was severe compared to anything I had experienced, but she wasn’t diagnosed until 2022.
“By then, she had stage four endometriosis and her disease had become so advanced that her bladder was attached to her uterus.
View 8 ImagesNicola took her own life the week after her operation was cancelled.(Image: Supplied)
“Holly is just 16 and she has been diagnosed with stage one endometriosis – but I think this is only because of what doctors know happened to her mum and we complained.
“I have met countless other women who have shared experience just like Nicola’s.
“We need to change that.
“I watched my daughter become another person.
“She couldn’t do things with the kids, so she felt she was failing as a mother. She used to be adventurous and active, but that slowly went.
View 8 ImagesNicola had only just begun her career as a police officer when she was forced to leave due to chronic pain.(Image: Supplied)
“And as the pain intensified, she was forced to leave a job she loved and worked so hard to get in the police service because she could no longer cope physically.
“Endometriosis took it all away from her.
“We still can’t believe we lost Nicola. There is a huge hole missing in all of our lives and we are devastated.
“Now we are doing everything we can so others don’t have to face what we’re going through.”
A charity advocating for women’s health called Nicola’s Supporting Women, based in West Lothian, was launched last year by family member June Smillie, who is leading the petition. Over 600 woman have attended drop ins, talks and events there.
She said: “Far too many women have lived with chronic pain for years because they don’t know where to turn.
“They tell us they feel dismissed, misdiagnosed or left to struggle with symptoms that have a significant impact on their physical and mental health.
“While progress has been made in educating future doctors, there is no guarantee the current NHS workforce has received consistent, mandatory training in women’s health. Our petition aims to close that gap.”
View 8 ImagesJune Smillie and Elaine.(Image: Supplied)
Faye Farthing, Head of Communications and Campaigns at Endometriosis UK, said: “We send our deepest condolences to Nicola’s family and loved ones, no one should have to wait too long for care without the answers and support they need. We urge anyone struggling with their mental health to reach out for support.
“Currently, the average time to get a diagnosis in Scotland is 10 years and 2 months – the highest in the UK. We are calling for the Scottish government to prioritise reducing the diagnosis and wait times so that everyone has access to the right care they need at the right time.”
RCGP Scotland Vice Chair (Membership and Education), Dr Katie Cathrow said: “GPs understand how hard living with endometriosis can be, and how frustrating it is to have to wait to get answers. The Scottish Government must work to improve a system in which too many patients are left waiting extended periods for review by secondary care and ongoing treatments, including surgery.
“Long waits can have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life, with many needing to return to their GP for additional support and treatment while awaiting specialist care. We share the concerns previously expressed by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), which has called on the government to provide long-term, sustainable funding to tackle long waiting lists and invest in research to improve our understanding of endometriosis.”
Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director, NHS Lothian, said: “Our thoughts and condolences remain with the family involved. As a matter of patient confidentiality, we are unable to comment on individual cases without the family’s consent.
“Endometriosis is a complex condition that can be difficult to diagnose and often requires specialist care and treatment. Patients can access a wide range of support and treatment options throughout their care, including pain management, physiotherapy, dietetic and psychological support, delivered by our highly specialised multidisciplinary team, which is committed to providing safe and effective care.
“NHS Lothian also works closely with the Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh to support academic research into endometriosis, helping to inform future diagnosis and treatment.”
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “I extend my deepest and heartfelt sympathies to the family and friends of Nicola Thyne. I understand that delays in accessing diagnosis and treatment causes women great anxiety. This is unacceptable.
“We are taking clear action including delivering Phase Two of our Women’s Health Plan – which includes our ambitions to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040, reduce waiting times for gynaecology and to improve care across Scotland.
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“The Scottish Government will respond to the petition in due course.”
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