It takes an average of seven years for a woman to discover she has endometriosis. CLAIRE HARDY report

When she was 16, Lesley Badger began suffering extreme abdominal pains each month.

Her doctors told her at the time that these were just period pains and perfectly normal for a girl her age. Many years of suffering later, she was diagnosed with endometriosis, a common gynaecological condition that few people are aware of and even fewer understand.

Lesley, of Leicester Road, New Barnet, said: "I had many days off work and was missing out on my social life all the time, but people didn't understand why.

"You try to do something and all you are aware of is pain, and I am by no means the worst victim."

An estimated two million women in the UK suffer from the condition and it is unclear whether it is a genetic condition or just bad luck. Symptoms vary but can include infertility, pain during the menstrual cycle, extreme fatigue and bowel and bladder problems. The bad news is there is no cure, although laser surgery and hormonal treatment can help to relieve the symptoms.

The condition occurs when the cells that are normally found lining the womb migrate to other areas of the body. They usually appear within the pelvis but have been found as far away as the lungs. These cells behave just as they would in the womb, building up each month and then breaking down, causing internal bleeding.

This bleeding leads to inflammation, pain and the formation of scar tissue.

The only way to diagnose endometriosis is a laparoscopy an operation in which a telescope is inserted into the pelvis

Lesley had two such operations, both of which revealed lesions that were then removed by laser surgery.

"It was such a relief to find out that, since the age of 16, I have had a problem," she said. "Finally someone had told me why I was suffering."

However, like many other women with the condition, she had problems conceiving. Hormonal treatments can affect the growth or recurrence of the disease and preserve or restore fertility.

Mrs Badger tried Danazol, a male hormone that can result in unpleasant side effects such as weight gain, a less feminine figure and a deepening of the voice. The treatment again had little effect, so she resorted to IVF and luckily she is now the mother of two healthy twin boys aged two.

Mrs Badger said: "I am very, very lucky that I have this end result for a lot of girls this does not happen."

Endometriosis can occur at any time from the onset of menstrual periods until the menopause

The National Endometriosis Society offers support for those with the condition and their families. For information on the society, visit http://www.endo.org.uk or call its helpline on 0808 808 2227.

Key facts

An estimated two million women in the UK suffer from endometriosis, with symptoms including pain during the menstrual cycle, extreme fatigue and problems with the bowels and bladder

Infertility occurs in up to 40 per cent of cases and there remains no permanent cure

Doctors often confuse its symptoms. Diagnosis takes, on average, seven years and can only be done by a laparoscopy

Hormonal treatments can affect the growth or recurrence of the disease, and even preserve or restore fertility. Surgery is used to remove lesions in severe cases