Believed to affect approximately one in seven people in Australia, endometriosis is an often misunderstood condition. Endometriosis is when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows in other parts of the body. This can cause a wide range of symptoms, including chronic pain, fatigue, heavy menstrual bleeding, bladder and/or bowel dysfunction, infertility - and in some cases, no symptoms at all.

Endometriosis is commonly referred to as an ‘invisible illness’ because the symptoms are mostly internal. Often, these symptoms overlap with other diseases, leading to the misdiagnosis of conditions like PCOS and IBS. Receiving a diagnosis currently takes around 6-8 years from the onset of your symptoms. Diagnostic imaging may suggest endometriosis, but currently a surgical procedure - generally a laparoscopy - is needed to obtain a definitive diagnosis.

There is currently no cure for endometriosis. However, the disease may be variably managed through personalised treatment of your symptoms. Many people require multidisciplinary surgery, medication and lifestyle adaptations. The key is to gather information and work closely with your doctors to make the best decisions for you.