BETHESDA, Md.  –   For many women dealing with chronic pelvic pain, the journey to an accurate diagnosis and treatment can take years. At Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, gynecologic specialists are working to change that experience through advanced treatment and patient-centered care.

In early 2025, military spouse Kaitlin ‘Kait’ Hanson experienced a severe escalation of pelvic pain associated with a previous endometriosis diagnosis. Already accustomed to prolonged menstrual cycles, she began experiencing significantly heavier bleeding and debilitating pelvic and back pain. Worsening migraines compounded her symptoms, often leaving her bedridden and interfering with her work as a journalist and daily life. After seeking answers from several medical providers, Hanson learned she had a small, slow-growing mass as well as adenomyosis, a condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.

These diagnoses led to a referral to U.S. Air Force Maj. (Dr.) Kathryn Edmonds, then a minimally invasive gynecologic surgery fellow with Walter Reed’s Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) department. After previous experiences left Hanson apprehensive about seeking care, she said Edmonds immediately put her at ease.

“To be honest, I was nervous to meet her,” Hanson said. “But I will never forget having her come into the room, ask me about my history, and go over all the ups and downs it took to finally get to her office, and tell me that I wasn’t going to do this alone anymore ... that we were going to figure it out. It felt like such a huge weight off my shoulders.”

Hanson’s surgery, a hysterectomy coupled with laparoscopic excision of endometriosis lesions, was scheduled for July 2025. By then, the relationship she had built with Edmonds gave her confidence to move forward.

“Having Dr. Edmonds there was incredibly important to me — I think I asked her no fewer than a dozen times to confirm that she would be the one in the operating room,” Hanson said. “When you’ve had someone in your corner, advocating for you, getting you the answers you need, and fighting for the treatment you deserve, there is an incredible amount of trust that comes with that.”

Endometriosis is a relatively common chronic gynecologic condition that is often underrecognized and underdiagnosed. According to the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Research on Women’s Health, an estimated 10 percent of reproductive-age women in the U.S. are affected, though the actual number may be higher. Research shows patients can wait years for answers, with some studies reporting an average delay of up to 10 years. Many women experiencing symptoms visit multiple medical providers over the years before receiving the proper diagnosis, which also causes a delay in receiving proper treatment. Such experiences can change how patients advocate for themselves, with many arriving at appointments “ready to fight” after feeling dismissed in the past.

“My approach when meeting a new patient like Kait is to start with validation,” Edmonds said. “Their symptoms are real, and their symptoms are not normal. While there often isn’t an easy or quick fix, I am in the fight with them and committed to helping them find the right treatment option.”

She added that greater awareness of endometriosis and chronic pelvic pain among patients and healthcare providers can help patients reach appropriate specialists sooner.

Hanson said having someone who understood what she was going through and remained committed to her care was vital throughout the process.

“She promised me on day one that she was going to help me, get me answers, and make sure I received the treatment I deserved, and she did,” Hanson said. “She kept that promise every step of the way, and having her there for my surgery felt like the culmination of all the advocacy and trust that had gotten me to that point.”

Following surgery, Hanson gradually resumed physical activity. Edmonds said recovery varies by patient, but most women begin returning to baseline within four to six weeks. For Hanson, that eventually meant returning to something she loves — running.

“I encourage my patients to add in low-impact, aerobic exercise when they feel ready, with no specific timeline,” Edmonds said. “For Kait, running marathons was one of her goals, which she was able to achieve just a few months after the surgery.”

Hanson described her recovery as significantly different from the difficult time that preceded her treatment.

“My recovery was a breeze, and I don’t say that lightly,” Hanson said. “I followed all the instructions that Dr. Edmonds and her team recommended, and it was the best and easiest thing I’ve ever done for myself.”

Now on the other side of her experience, Hanson hopes her story encourages other women with persistent symptoms to continue seeking answers and advocate for their health.

“I feel great. Navigating a challenging diagnosis means you need to be your own best advocate. Women's health is so understudied and underfunded,” Hanson said. “When you aren’t getting the care you deserve, move on to the next option. Don’t be afraid to rattle some cages to get the help you need.”

For more information about Walter Reed’s women’s health services, visit walterreed.tricare.mil/womens-health.