ABC: Justin Huntsdale
)You would not expect a patient to walk into a hospital and be asked how to spell their diagnosis, but that is exactly what happened to Anna Gerard-Chaplin.
It is just one of the scenarios the 34-year-old has experienced since being diagnosed with endometriosis almost 10 years ago.
She and many women like her are campaigning during March for better education for Endometriosis Awareness month.
"Women's health issues are just not being talked about and many of us don't live in a transparent world," Ms Gerard-Chaplin said.
A painful search for answers
One in 10 women have endometriosis, a condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows in other parts of the body, causing extreme pain and sometimes infertility.
Diagnosis can only be made through invasive surgery, meaning many women who develop symptoms can be left without answers for seven to 10 years.
By Solua Middleton
)Ms Gerard-Chaplin assumed she had stomach ulcers, but ultrasounds and other tests failed to produce any results.
There was one specific incident that prompted her to demand answers.
"It was the first time I completely lost control of my body.
"That was the first time that I felt helpless, and the deciding moment for me to get private surgery."
After five keyhole surgeries and a bladder biopsy, she was finally diagnosed.
"As dark a time as that was, that validation was probably one of the highest points of my entire endo experience," Ms Gerard-Chaplin said.
Supplied: Donna Ciccia
)More awareness equals more power
Endometriosis Australia would usually hold high teas across the country this month, to raise awareness of the condition, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, things have been a little different.
Director and co-founder of the charity Donna Ciccia said that the inability to meet in person would not hamper its determination to spread the word about the issue.
"The more awareness there is on the issue, the more power is provided to suffering women."
Endometriosis Australia is running an online symposium on Saturday March 27 focusing on conversations and consultations with "EndoWarriors" and medical professionals.
The charity is asking women to reflect on what they would tell their younger self and the "red-flag moments" that may have occurred before diagnosis.
In conjunction with the Endo-Enlightened campaign, 66 locations across Australia will light up yellow as a demonstration of hope and support.
Meanwhile, Ms Gerard-Chaplin wants her younger self to know that sharing her story could help thousands of other women.
"I'd like to think that this all will matter and I hope it will be a domino effect of change," she said.
