It often starts with pain dismissed as “normal period pain” or “not severe enough that you can’t push through”. There’s the fatigue that you learn to mask, especially after countless tests and no real answers. Your bowel or bladder just seems a bit off, but you learn to live with it. Or maybe you’re wondering why falling pregnant feels harder than it should. It’s hard to explain, but deep down you’ve always known that something isn’t quite right. Endometriosis affects 1 in 7 women. But it’s not just about painful periods. It can touch every part of your life: work, intimacy, fertility, and your sense of wellbeing.
Because symptoms overlap with other conditions, endometriosis can go unrecognised for years. They are often minimised — even by women themselves.
You may notice:
If you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s worth speaking to a specialist, even if previous tests have come back “normal”.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterus lining grows outside the uterus, often around the ovaries, pelvic walls, or bowel. This tissue responds to hormones and bleeds with your period, causing inflammation, scarring, and pain.
It’s not just pain, it can affect your:
Endometriosis is found in up to 50% of women with fertility challenges.
Inflammation in the pelvis can interfere with egg and sperm quality, disrupt implantation of an embryo, or interfere with early pregnancy development. The pelvic scar tissue that forms can also block or scar the fallopian tubes or ovaries.
Women with endometriosis are also more likely to experience pregnancy complications such as Miscarriage, Preterm birth, or Placenta issues. For women trying to conceive, treating endometriosis can be a crucial step in improving fertility outcomes.
With years of experience treating endometriosis, Dr Tan will quickly recognise the signs of an Endo warrior. Not everyone will experience severe pelvic pain, which may make endometriosis harder to diagnose, but Dr Tan will carefully consider your symptoms and guide you through the right investigations. These may include:
The goal isn’t just to confirm endometriosis. It’s to help you understand what’s happening and manage what comes next.
No two women experience endometriosis the same way. Some women need pain relief, others want to preserve fertility, and many need both. You deserve a management plan that strikes the right balance and meets your needs, whether its medical, surgical, or anything in between.
Options may include:
Dr I-Ferne Tan is a Sydney-based gynaecologist with advanced fellowship training in minimally invasive and fertility-preserving surgery. She specialises in complex pelvic pain, reproductive surgery, and managing endometriosis at all stages.
What sets Dr Tan apart isn’t just surgical skill — it’s how she listens, explains, and supports women through often complex and emotional decisions.
Whether you’re exploring treatment, managing pain, or trying to conceive, she’ll help you understand your options without judgement or pressure.
