Lucy Harper

Cohorts: 30s-40s

Condition: Adenomyosis

Snapshot

Name: Lucy Harper
Age range: 38
Life stage: Late reproductive years / early perimenopause
Location: Shropshire, UK (rural market town)
Occupation: Self-employed hairdresser working from home
Relationship and family context: Married, two children (ages 10 and 6); considering whether to try for another but symptoms have made life unpredictable

Health Context

Relevant condition(s): Adenomyosis (with possible mild endometriosis)
Density of condition(s): Common – Increasingly diagnosed (around 1 in 5 women having scans for gynaecological symptoms)
Key symptoms experienced: Heavy, painful periods lasting over a week; bloating and pelvic pain even outside her cycle; pressure in lower abdomen; pain during sex; exhaustion from blood loss
Severity and duration: Moderate to severe, 4+ years of worsening symptoms, now affecting work and sleep
Diagnosed or suspected: Confirmed via ultrasound at local NHS hospital
Current treatments or management: Tranexamic acid for bleeding, ibuprofen for pain; recently prescribed Mirena coil but hesitant to try due to negative stories online; uses hot water bottle nightly during her cycle
Comorbidities or related factors: Low iron/borderline anaemia, occasional mood swings and brain fog (likely early perimenopause); family history of fibroids

Triggers and barriers

Main triggers that worsen symptoms: Stress, long hours standing, caffeine, lack of rest, hormonal fluctuations
Barriers to seeking care: GP appointments hard to get; feels her pain is minimised; doesnʼt know which information to trust online; local health services limited (nearest gynaecology clinic 45 minutes away)
Information gaps and misconceptions: Thinks “itʼll stop once menopause comes” without realising hormone imbalance can worsen before that; doesnʼt understand difference between synthetic and body-identical hormones; doesnʼt know testosterone can help pain and fatigue
Emotional drivers and concerns: Feels frustrated and isolated, like sheʼs “just expected to get on with it”; embarrassed by leaks at work; fears needing surgery but desperate for relief

Goals and needs

Primary health goals: Reduce heavy bleeding and pain so she can work normally and sleep through the night; understand safe, long-term hormone options
Secondary lifestyle goals: Regain energy, improve mood and focus, prevent anaemia; feel listened to and supported
What “better” looks like to them: Being able to plan life freely again — no anxiety about leaks, fatigue, or cancelling clients