One in 10 women are battling chronic endometriosis without knowing it, a study has revealed.
The condition takes an average of 7.5 years to be diagnosed and affects as many women as diabetes and asthma.
The recent survey by Endometriosis UK revealed a shocking number of women are battling the 'hidden' illness.
More than 13,500 participants shared their experiences of living with the painful symptoms.
The condition costs the Government around £8.2billion a year.
Following the publication of the study by the BBC, MPs are to launch an enquiry into women’s experiences of endometriosis.
Symptoms can include painful periods, extreme fatigue and infertility.
Women involved in the research have also described how endometriosis has negatively affected their mental health, careers and education.
Half of the participants admitted that the unbearable pain of the condition had driven them to suicidal thoughts.
Anna Turley, Labour MP and member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Endometriosis, said the condition is an example of gender bias in medicine.
She added: "Because it’s a women’s menstrual issue, it’s been chronically underfunded for years.”
"We have a big job on in parliament to get policy makers and politicians aware of this condition, and to put the money and the resource where it’s needed.”
Endometriosis occurs when tissues that typically grow in the lining of the womb do so elsewhere in the body, such as on the bowel and ovaries.
Similar to the lining of the womb, endometriosis tissues build up and bleed.
With nowhere to go, blood becomes trapped and causes debilitating chronic pain.
There is currently no cure, although a number of treatments are available, which range from pain relief to more extreme treatments like hysterectomy surgery.
Celebrities that suffer from endometriosis include Emma Bunton, Kate Ford, Lena Dunham, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg and Halsey, who shared her experience of the condition with Twitter followers in 2016.
