Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and can affect women of any age.
Sufferers of the condition experience heavy periods, with pain that stops them going about their everyday activities. Women with the condition also sadly face difficulties when trying to get pregnant.
Geordie Shore star Sophie Kasaei bravely opened up about the excruciating pain she experiences as she battles the condition, and she's not the only famous face to open up on dealing with endometriosis as Lena Dunham, Emma Bunton, Alexa Chung and Coronation Street's Kate Ford have also been diagnosed.
Sophie burst into tears when she spoke about how she was coping with the pain in an Instagram video: "I want to say to anyone who suffers from endometriosis, like it is so painful! I literally was just fine and I've started to cry again.
"I've just done a PT session and I had to leave because the pain that I just felt driving home, honestly I can't describe that pain.
"It's the most excruciating pain, it's like someone's got a knife and is just stabbing you in your ovaries."
And Sophie isn't the only celebrity who has been very open with their edometriosis battle, with Love Island's Molly-Mae Hague also speaking out.
The 22 year old is set to undergo an operation for the condition, but told fans she'd actually been trolled for opening up on the matter.
"I know it's not a topic that everyone wants to hear about or understands because it's not a topic that everyone is affected by.
"I actually got a lot of backlash in one of my last videos when I spoke about it," she continued.
"The amount of tweets and DMs I got from girls saying I am not educating people properly …"
Here's a look at everything you need to know…
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis sees tissue that normally lines the womb, the endometrium, grow in places outside of the womb.
These rogue pieces can be found just about anywhere, including the ovaries and fallopian tubes, inside the abdomen and the bowel or bladder.
Endometriosis is usually seen in women still having periods but affects women of all ages.
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What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
The debilitating symptoms can include painful or heavy periods, pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis, lower back and pain during and after sex.
You also need to look out for bleeding between periods, difficulty getting pregnant, persistent exhaustion and tiredness and discomfort when going to the toilet.
Bleeding from your bottom or blood in your stools is also a sign as well as, in rare cases, coughing blood.
What causes endometriosis?
It's not known what causes endometriosis but if you have any of the above symptoms see your GP to discuss potentially starting further investigations (sometimes meaning a referral to Gynaecology) and treatments.
These can include medication, ultrasound scans and possibly surgery to look inside the abdomen and, if needed, remove some of the unwanted tissue.
Sometimes complications from endometriosis can occur and these include adhesions, where the tissue causes organs to stick together, which in turn can cause pain and infertility. There is also a risk of ovarian cysts which may need surgery.
Can endometriosis be treated?
According to charity Endometriosis UK, there is no cure for the condition.
But the treatments for the symptoms "aim to reduce the severity of symptoms and improve the quality of life" for those who suffer with the excruciating pain.
Treatment should be discussed between the patient and their GP but such options like surgery, hormone medication and pain relief may all be available.
Can you get pregnant?
Difficulty getting pregnant seems to be one of the main issues that celebrities have discussed before. Dolly Parton had endometriosis and never had children which has sadly been a cause of depression and regret for her.
Marilyn Monroe was said to have had several miscarriages as a result of her endometriosis.
For those women who are still not getting pregnant, IVF may be an answer but don’t despair, many sufferers do go on to get pregnant after treatment, Emma Bunton being one such example.
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