Endometriosis is a common disease in which tissue similar to the womb's lining grows outside it in other parts of the body.
1 in 9, 11%, of women suffer from endometriosis at some point, with the disease often starting in teenagers. Symptoms are variable and this may contribute to the 7 to 10-year delay in diagnosis. Common symptoms include pelvic pain that puts life on hold around or during a woman’s period. It can damage fertility.
Whilst endometriosis most often affects the reproductive organs it is frequently found in the bowel and bladder and has been found in muscles, joints, the lungs, and the brain.
In an Australian government report, endometriosis is reported to cost Australian society $7.7 billion annually with two-thirds of these costs attributed to a loss in productivity with the remainder, approximately $2.5 billion being direct healthcare costs.
Mission
Endometriosis Australia is a nationally accredited charity that endeavors to increase recognition of endometriosis, provide endometriosis education programs, and provide funding for endometriosis research.
Goals
• To engage in a strong awareness campaign to inform, the medical community, business, media, and the public about endometriosis.
• To create and provide professional, educational programs for women with endometriosis, communities, schools, healthcare professionals, businesses, and individuals involved in improving health outcomes for women with endometriosis.
• To represent the 730,000 women and girls throughout Australia that have endometriosis.
• To work with those health professionals who treat the condition and with researchers
working to find solutions.
• To raise funds for research in Australia into the causes, treatments, and ultimately
prevention of endometriosis.