Endometriosis figures revealed

CLOSE to 17,000 women in Leicestershire could be suffering from endometriosis - a condition that causes painful, heavy periods and can lead to infertility.

One in 10 women of reproductive age is likely to have the condition, according to charity Endometriosis UK.

And many of them will not even be aware there is anything wrong, experts say.

Figures show that in Charnwood, the population of reproductive age is 46,652, of which the number that could have endometriosis is 4,665.

In North West Leicestershire, where the population of reproductive age is 24,816, 2,482 could have endometriosis.

The NHS says girls typically start their periods at the age of 12 and the average age of menopause is 51 years old.

That means there are 169,509 women and girls of reproductive age in Leicestershire, according to the latest population statistics.

If one in 10 suffer from endometriosis, that would make a total of more than 16,900 with the condition.

Endometriosis is a condition where cells like those in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body.

Every month the cells react in the same way as those in the womb by building up and breaking down and bleeding.

Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape.

That leads to extremely painful, heavy periods and in some cases can also cause infertility, fatigue and bowel and bladder problems because of inflammation and scar tissue.