\n Endometriosis is a chronic systemic inflammatory condition affecting one in every ten women. It is a leading cause of infertility in women, and yet this may be the first time you are hearing of it.\n<\/p>\n
\n Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial-like tissue, similar to the tissue that lines the uterus, is found outside of the uterine cavity.\n<\/p>\n
\n It results in symptoms such as pain during or after intercourse, heavy periods, bowel problems, infertility, and chronic fatigue.\n<\/p>\n
\n Despite this, endometriosis remains an underfunded and under-researched area in women\u2019s health; to put that into proportion, less than one per cent of the reproductive health budget is dedicated to its research.\n<\/p>\n
\n Despite its prevalence, several factors contribute to lengthy delays in diagnosis, with the average diagnosis taking eight to 12 years.\n<\/p>\n
\n The gold standard for diagnosis of endometriosis is laparoscopy, which is both invasive and costly.\n<\/p>\n
\n During a laparoscopy, surgeons insert a camera through small incisions, exploring the abdominal cavity for evidence of endometrial-like tissue in the abdomen and pelvis.\n<\/p>\n
\n Unfortunately, MRI scans and transvaginal ultrasounds can be inconsistent, detecting some forms of endometriosis while missing superficial lesions.\n<\/p>\n
\n Currently, there are no blood-based biomarkers that are sensitive and specific enough to reliably diagnose endometriosis, as historic underfunding has meant that research is several years behind where it should be.\n<\/p>\n
\n Poor health prospects for a tenth of the female population are further compounded by the fact that menstrual health and endometriosis do not consistently form a mandatory component of UK doctors’ medical curriculum.\n<\/p>\n