A WOMEN'S fertility clinic is is hoping to raise awareness for endometriosis to help women spot the signs of the disease.

Next month raises awareness for endometriosis, a disease which 1.5m women in the UK are living with.

Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition in which cells similar to those in the lining of the uterus are present elsewhere, such as the pelvis.

As well as causing heavy periods, endometriosis can lead to other side effects such as infertility.

Research shows not enough women are seeking help quick enough, as there is now an average of 7.5 years before a women sees a doctor about their symptoms.

Two founders from The Fertility Clinic in Wokingham have overcome their own fertility struggles and understand that having a therapist can be of great support to women suffering.

Verity Paz, clinic founder, said: "The second most common reason for people coming to our clinic is unexplained infertility.

"Our concern is that behind that statistic there could well be something undiagnosed such as endometriosis.

In 2018, a group of patients and experts reviewed endometriosis services.

The study found there was a lack of education on disease recognition, diagnosis and that many gynaecologists are not sufficiently skilled or confident to exercise endometriosis.

Katy Flello, The Fertility Clinic in Wokingham founder, also said: "My case of endometriosis took 16 years to identify, was initially masked by being put on the [contraceptive] pill.

"Reflexology made my periods less painful and more consistent which helped when I decided to start a family because I had managed to regulate my cycles."

Verty also added: "It took decades for my own case of endometriosis to be diagnosed.

"Being an inflammatory condition, I believe diet is key for tackling it - nutritional awareness helped me control the condition, as has regular acupuncture which has reduced my symptoms."