The North West's medical community has committed to enhancing the aid and management for women challenged by endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a disorder characterised by womb-like tissue growth in other body parts, including ovaries and fallopian tubes. Unlike cells in the womb that exit the body through menstrual cycles, these misplaced cells have no escape route, causing potentially impactful issues.

Among the affected is Gemma Williamson-Noyce, 42, from Kendal. Diagnosed when she was 19 following a twisted cyst's removal, Ms Williamson-Noyce has been dealing with endometriosis's implications.

She has undergone several operations to eliminate endometriosis and endometriomas, endometriosis-created cysts. By December last year, she required a hysterectomy.

Ms Williamson-Noyce said: "For over 20 years I have experienced challenges and pain because of endometriosis. 

"It not only affected my physical health, but my mental health suffered too.

"I now work with Endometriosis UK as a support group co-lead in Cumbria and want to help others who are going through the same thing I did."

Endometriosis Action Month is March and is seen as an opportunity by the NHS in the North West to advocate for advancements in endometriosis care and enlighten the public and clinicians about the signs.

As indicated by recent studies from Endometriosis UK, the average time to pinpoint this condition is around eight years and ten months.

However, Dr Paula Cowan, a GP in The Wirral and Medical Director for Primary Care at NHS England - North West, believes that there is room for improvement.

Dr Cowan said: "As a GP with a special interest in gynaecology, I know just how difficult it can be to diagnose a patient with endometriosis.

“It can present itself in a number of different ways which is why we want to promote the symptoms to both patients, but also to doctors and other healthcare workers.

"It’s vital that we do more for women suffering from this ‘challenging’ and ‘painful’ condition and ensure we are raising awareness of the symptoms and the options available for treatment so women are seen earlier and helped faster, and don’t have to suffer in pain and alone."