The Living with Endo seminar, organised by Pius X Aboriginal Corporation in conjunction with EndoActive, will be an opportunity to open up the conversation about the disease which affects women’s reproductive organs.

Speakers include Dr Jason Chow, a leading gynocologist/obstetrician and pain specialist; Deborah Bush QSM, the co-founder of Endo NZ and chair of the World Endometriosis Society; Nina Booysen, sexologist and relationship counsellor from Darwin; Dr Margaret O’Brien, a psychologist and hypnotherapist; Elizabeth Howard, an osteopathy and pain specialist; Dr John Eden, a leading endocrinologist and gynocologist who works with Pius; and Dr Michael Campton who is associated with Pius.

This will be the first time a seminar on endometriosis will be held in the region, and only the third conference in Australia.

Endometriosis causes chronic pelvic pain and other debilitating symptoms that prevent many young women from completing school or attending university. It is one of the main causes of infertility and often takes between eight to 10 years to be diagnosed.

With one in ten women and girls suffering from endo, the Pius X board saw a need to raise awareness of the often unspoken disease.

“Rural and regional communities have trouble accessing health services,” board member Jessica Duncan said.

“So we thought why not bring services to women instead of making them travel.

“This will be a priceless opportunity to access some of the best international specialists and speakers.”

While the seminar is targeted at both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women living with endo, organisers encourage all women to attend.

“So many people don’t know they have it,” EndoActive co-founder Lesley Freedman said.

“Because it’s not spoken about at school, each girl thinks they’re normal. But heavy flow, excessive pain – if the pain is so bad you have to go to bed and miss school – that’s not normal.

“This is about improving quality of life. If you don’t talk about it you won’t get diagnosed.

“If you have early intervention, it’s saving people’s fertility and agonising pain. Often women don’t find out they’ve got it until it’s too late and the costs of IVF are so high.”

Men are also invited to come along to learn more about the disease, and local GPs and health professionals are welcome to participate.

The free seminar will be held at the Max Centre ballroom from 10am to 5pm on Thursday, March 1. This will be followed by an optional networking dinner at 6.30pm, which costs $30.

Morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be provided.

If you wish to attend, RSVP by Monday, February 25 to Jess Duncan on 0428 099 777.

Spaces are limited and registration is needed for catering purposes.