For nearly 176 million women around the world, endometriosis means a daily battle with pain that can wreak havoc on almost every aspect of their lives, including their fertility. Defined as the migration and implantation of the uterine lining, or endometrium, outside the uterus, endometriosis often is an extraordinarily painful condition that can debilitate women from adolescence onward. Along with infertility, it can cause everything from painful periods to gastrointestinal and urinary tract problems and has been found to elevate the risk of certain cancers.

What’s even more shocking about endometriosis is that, according to the Endometriosis Research Center, it takes an average of nine years and consultations with five or more doctors to obtain a correct diagnosis. During that time, women suffer in pain and frustration, often dealing with medical professionals who chalk their issues up to “painful periods.” And, that kind of delay in diagnosis means that treatment is even more delayed, causing a domino effect that compromise a woman’s fertility.

As with the problem of infertility, raising awareness of endometriosis is key to changing those dismal statistics, relieving chronic pain and preserving the fertility of millions of women. If you or someone you know suffers from pelvic pain beyond the typical discomfort of a monthly period, I encourage you to take this online screening test. If the results indicate endometriosis could be the cause of your issues, print the test out and take it to your gynecologist as soon as possible for a thorough consultation. The sooner you get a correct diagnosis, the sooner you can find relief from pain and take the needed steps to preserve your fertility.

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