Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects approximately 14% of Australian women by the age of 49. As a patient, it often feels like an invisible struggle, because on the outside, you might look fine, but inside, the pain and emotional toll can be overwhelming.

Physically, endometriosis means that tissue similar to the lining of the uterus starts to grow outside of it, typically on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other organs in the pelvic area. This tissue responds to hormones the same way the uterine lining does: it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds each month. However, because there is no way for this blood to exit the body, it can cause intense pain, inflammation, and scarring. The pain isn’t just your average period cramps—it can be sharp, constant, and sometimes debilitating.

The pain can vary for each person, but many women describe it as a deep, throbbing ache or sharp, stabbing sensations. For some, the pain is only during menstruation, but for others, it can be chronic and affect daily life—during sex, bowel movements, or even just normal activities like standing or walking.

Emotionally, endometriosis can be just as taxing. Because the symptoms are often invisible, it’s easy for others to dismiss your pain or not fully understand what you're going through. This can lead to feelings of isolation or frustration. In some cases, the condition may impact relationships, particularly intimate ones, due to pain during sex or not being able to do things as you normally would. The road to diagnosis can be long and discouraging with a delay between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis, taking on average 6 to 8 years, as the symptoms are often mistaken for other conditions like IBS, pelvic inflammatory disease, or just "normal" period pain. ​

Ultimately, it’s important to know that you’re not alone, and there are many avenues for support and treatment, even if the journey can be long and complicated.