Colleagues thought I was faking endometriosis pain

For women living with endometriosis, debilitating pain, fatigue and heavy periods can make it feel almost impossible to sustain a career or social life.

The only way formally to diagnose endometriosis is through invasive surgery, but getting to that stage can take on average eight to 10 years, from a patient's first GP appointment.

For women like Dee Montague-Coast, 41, the lack of evidence of disease during the diagnostic delay can lead to people not believing they are unwell, and even force them to change careers.

Now an evidence-based "symptom reporting tool" has been developed by Cardiff academics aimed at highlighting patterns that will raise healthcare providers' attention.