Years of Severe Pain Lead to Rare Uterine Diagnosis
For nearly a decade, Ellie Curran believed her debilitating menstrual symptoms were simply an unfortunate aspect of womanhood. The 21-year-old from Derry first experienced what she describes as "crazy intense pain" when her periods began at age twelve, leaving her housebound and struggling with excessive bleeding that leaked through all protection.
Routine Surgery Reveals Unexpected Discovery
During a seemingly unrelated appendectomy procedure at eighteen, medical professionals made an unexpected discovery. Doctors observed what appeared to be two separate wombs, though at the time they provided limited explanation to the young patient. "They weren't too sure what was going on," Ellie recalls. "Because I was too young I felt they dismissed me."
It would take many months before Ellie received her formal diagnosis: Complete Bicorporeal Uterus. This rare congenital condition involves:
- A deep external indentation at the top of the uterus exceeding 50% of the uterine wall thickness
- Two distinct heart-shaped uterine cavities separated by tissue
- Essentially, a womb split into two separate compartments
Daily Life Severely Impacted by Symptoms
Despite the initial discovery, Ellie continued living with excruciating symptoms that increasingly disrupted her daily routine. The call centre worker found her professional life affected as she needed bathroom breaks "every two seconds" during menstruation. Social activities became impossible during her period due to the overwhelming discomfort.
"I have no social life while I'm on [my period] because it's too sore to go out of the house," Ellie explains, detailing how countless emergency department visits eventually led to a referral for laparoscopic surgery in January 2025.
Additional Diagnoses Complicate Medical Picture
While awaiting her NHS procedure, Ellie took matters into her own hands, paying for a private scan in October 2024 that suggested she might have two cervixes. Her surgical investigation confirmed the bicorporeal uterus diagnosis while revealing additional health concerns.
In November 2025, doctors diagnosed Ellie with:
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) - a severe form of PMS causing significant mood disturbances
- Endometriosis - where uterine-like tissue grows outside the womb, in Ellie's case wrapping around her bowel
"They think I might have an extra kidney too," Ellie adds, noting she requires further MRI scanning to assess her endometriosis stage.
Future Concerns and Treatment Pathways
The young woman now faces uncertainty about how her rare condition will impact future life plans, particularly regarding pregnancy. With one uterine cavity larger than the other, medical professionals have advised that conceiving in the left cavity would pose fewer risks.
"Obviously I do want to have kids quite soon, but getting told different things [by doctors] is hard," Ellie shares, expressing frustration that her recent surgery couldn't address the endometriosis due to safety concerns.
Ellie's family and friends have reacted with shock to her diagnosis, given the condition's rarity - affecting approximately just 0.4% of women worldwide. "It's constantly in my head, 'how has this thing happened to me?'" she reflects.
Currently on a waiting list for an MRI scan, Ellie anticipates a follow-up appointment in May 2026 to discuss comprehensive treatment strategies for managing her complex gynaecological conditions.
