Endometriosis is a chronic, painful condition where tissue like the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, and attaches to internal organs. It can impact most bodily systems and cause inflammation, scarring, dysfunction, and pain. "Endo" affects an estimated 6.5 million women in the U.S. (196 million globally) yet remains underfunded & misdiagnosed.  This Harvard Political Review article says 75% of patients are misdiagnosed.

 

Unlike many chronic illnesses, which can be detected with tests - such as blood, urine, ultrasound, X-ray - and quickly diagnosed and treated, endometriosis impacts so many systems in the body that it mystifies doctors and takes an average of 10 years (and 10 specialists) for a proper diagnosis. Once a diagnosis is made, many wait years for surgery (there are too few surgeons) or struggle with getting financial support (often allocated towards infertility treatments).  Infertility is the most common impact, especially if a diagnosis takes too many years.