Affecting 10–15 per cent of reproductive-age women, endometriosis is a painful disease that commonly causes  fertility problems. Gynaecologist Dr Angela Beard breaks down  the steps to take if you suspect you may be a sufferer.

Many women with endometriosis initially present to their GP with pelvic pain. To deduce whether  it is endometriosis, your GP will need  to know if your pain occurs cyclically   – with your period or when you are  ovulating. They should ask if you get  pain with intercourse or bowel motions. 

Some common co-occurrences for  people with endometriosis are irritable  bowel syndrome and painful bladder  syndrome, so your GP may refer you to  a gynaecologist if you have a diagnosis  or symptoms of these problems.  Other risk factors are a high BMI  and a family history of endo – your GP will likely ask if any women in  your family are sufferers. Take a record  of your cycle, including dates and  how long you usually menstruate, as  short cycles or long periods can be  risk factors.

Additionally, uterine or  reproductive tract abnormalities can indicate a risk of endometriosis. This  will be checked via a scan, ordered  by your specialist as part of the  investigation. 

To get a good idea of your risk  factor before visiting the GP, use the online tool RATE (Raising  Awareness Tool for Endometriosis)  which is helpful for people who   suspect they could have endometriosis.  Developed by a team of experts in  association with the Royal Australian  and New Zealand College of  Obstetricians and Gynaecologists,  the tool runs through questions about  pain levels, frequency and location,  and other symptoms that could  indicate the presence of the disease.

A laparoscopy or MRI could be  ordered as part of an investigation.  Severe disease is easily seen but  sometimes early stage will not show  up, even though it may still be very  painful. Some endo sufferers can also  be asymptomatic, with the disease only  becoming evident when they try to get  pregnant. For any sufferer looking to  boost pregnancy chances, the surgical  removal of ovarian cysts is likely to help.   Aside from surgery, the best way  to reduce pain is through period  suppression, which is done through  hormonal treatments such as an IUD  or the pill. Pelvic floor physiotherapy  can also play a large part in reducing  pain, as can chronic pain specialists and  dieticians, who will recommend a diet  that helps to reduce inflammation.  Whether it is endo or something  else causing your pain, there is no need  to suffer in silence.