In late February this year, ironically days before International Women’s Day and Endometriosis Awareness Month, now-former radio host, Marty Sheargold professed his disbelief in endometriosis on live radio. The disgraced ‘funny guy’ barked, “don’t ladies carry on” before declaring the scientifically recognised chronic disease as ‘made up’. And look, he’s not wrong.


What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is literally made up of ovarian tissue which lines organs it shouldn’t. And rather than restricting itself to the uterus, people who are diagnosed with the disease – and the doctors cutting it out of us – have reported tissue growing rogue onto the ovaries, fallopian tubes and pelvic lining. And the body horror doesn’t stop there, this tissue behaves as it would inside the uterus, thickening, breaking down, and bleeding with each menstrual cycle – only without an exit route, leading to inflammation and scarring. In short, it’s gluing our organs together from the inside.


What are the effects of endometriosis?

Due to a systemic lack of funding into health conditions that affect women and gender diverse people, endo remains widely misunderstood, often dismissed, and chronically underdiagnosed.

For those who live with it, endometriosis is more than just "bad period pain", in fact that’s only the beginning. This often debilitating disease impacts all areas of life, from mental health and interpersonal relationships to your career and ability to participate in professional pursuits.


And while we too would love to live in a world where this disease doesn’t exist, endometriosis is a condition that affects one in seven Australian girls, women and people assigned female at birth. It does not discriminate by age, demographic, sexuality, class or status – and it’s costing our economy a cool $9.7 billion annually. Guess Marty’s not much of an economist.


But, despite being a leading cause of infertility and chronic pelvic pain, many folks struggle for years before receiving a proper diagnosis. Studies show it takes an average of 6.5 years for Australians to receive a formal diagnosis, often due to misinformation, normalisation of period pain, and medical gaslighting.


And because no two reproductive systems are identical, symptoms vary widely, making diagnosis even more challenging. Some folks experience extreme pain, while others may have silent symptoms despite significant internal damage. 

What are the common signs of endo?

  • Chronic pelvic pain (not just during menstruation)

  • Pain during or after sex

  • Heavy or irregular periods

  • Gastrointestinal issues often mistaken for IBS (bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, nausea)

  • Painful urination or bowel movements

  • Fatigue

  • Infertility or difficulty conceiving


How is endometriosis diagnosed?

One of the biggest hurdles in managing endometriosis is getting diagnosed. Picture this. You experience pelvic pain, bloating, and gastrointestinal issues on the regular, and reckon you might have endo. But, the only way to be sure, is for doctors to put a laparoscope inside of you.


Currently, the only definitive way to diagnose the condition is through laparoscopic surgery – where a small camera is inserted into the abdomen to search for (and often remove) diseased tissue. While imaging techniques like ultrasounds can sometimes detect severe cases, they aren’t reliable for identifying all instances of the disease. A reliance on surgery, combined with medical gaslighting and long wait times in the public healthcare system, means many Australians suffer for years without answers or proper treatment.


How is our approach to endometriosis changing?

In 2024, the Australian government launched the Inquiry into Women’s Pain, as part of addressing the gender pain gap, where women’s symptoms are often dismissed, misdiagnosed, or undertreated.


The inquiry highlighted the systemic neglect of conditions like endometriosis, propelling a handful of initiatives and a National Action Plan for Endometriosis , including:


While having these initiatives is lovely, advocates are calling for progress and accountability, especially in the lead up to the next election. The progress in question? A sustained commitment to better education and increased public awareness around the chronic disease. 

Want to learn more about endometriosis?

We’re no strangers to endo. Our in-store team is here to offer advice, tips, and support in either pursuing a diagnosis, managing symptoms, or accessing treatment. Get in touch or book a private consultation to chat with a specialist.


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