With endometriosis month approaching and many women we know suffering, including myself (Amy, the founder of LUNAR Skincare), it feels like the right time to lift the silence and raise awareness. Whether you have it, a family member has it or you have never heard of it, we're taking you through what you should do and how to support yourself or a loved one.

What is endometriosis?
Commonly known as endo, endometriosis is when tissue similar to the uterus lining forms outside of the layer in the uterus called the endometrium and on other parts of the body, such as the intestines causing pain and infertility.

The endometrium layer has a base layer, where new tissue regenerates following a period and the top layer which sheds when you have a period. Pain is often caused when the endometriosis attempts to shed outside of the endometrium layer, and this is because only the endometrium layer is made to shed each month.

What are common symptoms?
Pain that stops you from living your daily life on or around your period. Pain on or around ovulation, pain during or after sex. Pain with bowel movements. Pain when peeing. Pain in the lower back, legs and pelvic region. Having trouble holding on when you have a full bladder or having to wee frequently. Heavy bleeding or irregular bleeding. Fatigue.

When should endometriosis be treated?
If endometriosis is present and not causing you pain or infertility issues, it does not need to be treated. When the pain impacts your monthly or daily life, or you are having problems falling pregnant, you may want to speak to a doctor.

Why is it important to know about endometriosis?

• 1 in 9 people with a uterus is affected by endometriosis. That is around 200 million worldwide.
• It takes approx. 6 years for someone with endometriosis to be diagnosed.
• It costs someone with endometriosis $30,000 annually due to lost work and health care bills.
• There are currently 83,000 endometriosis patients in Australia.
• These statistics don't consider the countless people undiagnosed, those unable to afford health care and the mental and physical toll it takes on those with endometriosis.

What can you do to support yourself with endometriosis?
If you have all the symptoms, the first step is to see your local and trusted GP. They'll be able to help guide you through the process of finding the right specialist and ensuring it is endometriosis and not something else.

An anti-inflammatory diet may help ease symptoms. Fresh produce, lean meats, fish and chicken. Grains that aren't processed, such as rice, quinoa, and couscous. Reduce soft drinks, alcohol, sugar etc. Finding a nutritionist that you trust is a great idea. They'll help guide you on the right foods while ensuring you receive all the nutrients you need.

Stay active. Studies have shown that staying active and moving 30 minutes a day can help reduce ovarian stimulation and estrogen production, which can help relieve endometriosis symptoms.

Find ways to get a good night's sleep. Those with endometriosis often experience insomnia, which causes fatigue. Starting a nighttime ritual, avoiding caffeine in the afternoon, epsom salt baths and essential oils can help create a soothing process to induce a good night's sleep.

Arm yourself with knowledge. Start to track when you feel pain, what type of pain, the mental and emotional effect it has on you and if there are any correlations to a specific time in your cycle. This knowledge can help prepare you for the more challenging days and offer guidance on when to reduce your work and social commitments and when to carve out more self-care.

How can you support someone with endometriosis?
The more you can learn about endometriosis and how it specifically affects the person you care about, the better equipped you'll be to offer support. See if they know a correlation between symptoms and specific cycle times.

Ask what they need to feel supported. For some, it may be recognition that what they are physically and emotionally feeling is not just in their head. For others, it may be meals delivered, hot water bottles refilled, errands run or a shoulder to cry on.

Check-in if they've spoken to a GP about their symptoms and let them know there is professional help.

If you or a loved one has endometriosis, I am sending you a hug from one person living with endometriosis to another. Secondly, you are not alone, and you can find more information, support groups and research at endometriosisaustralia.org.

This March, let's wear yellow and raise awareness for endometriosis and the research behind finding a way to help us regain our bodies and lives.

xo Amy