Manage endometriosis

Condition can present symptoms in various parts of body.

- Hein Kaiser

Endometriosis has long puzzled medical professionals but recent leaps forward in understanding the condition have revealed how it affects women across the world.

It's treatable and the earlier the diagnosis, the quicker the path to effective management of the condition opens up.

Dr Jonathan Redelinghuys of Medicare24 called endometriosis a "great pretender" because the condition can present symptoms in various parts of the body, making diagnosis particularly challenging.

"While it most commonly grows in the pelvic area, such as the pouch of Douglas or around the bowel, endometrial tissue has been found in the thyroid, diaphragm and even the lungs," he said.

The biggest mystery surrounding endometriosis is how the tissue travels to different parts of the body. There are several theories about how this occurs.

"The lymphatic system, which drains fluid from tissues, may act as a highway for endometrial tissue to spread throughout the body," he said.

This means women with endometriosis can experience symptoms that may not immediately suggest a gynaecological issue.

"It's a condition that can migrate parts of its sum to anywhere in the body, which is why it can be so difficult to diagnose," he added.