March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a time when we shine a light on a chronic condition that affects roughly 190 million women and people with reproductive systems worldwide. That's about 1 in 10 people – yet many have never heard of it. This month is all about educating people, breaking down harmful stigma, and pushing for better research and faster diagnoses. Right now, it takes an average of 7 to 10 years for someone to get properly diagnosed. That's way too long.

Lesego Mokgatle knows this struggle firsthand. She's a BCom Marketing graduate and the founder of Endo Speak, a platform dedicated to breaking the silence around endometriosis. Her mission? Getting people to talk openly about the "hidden" symptoms and helping patients better communicate with their doctors, friends, and family.

"Endometriosis is a chronic disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the womb, causing inflammation and pain," Lesego explains. "It's not just a 'bad period' – it's a systemic condition that can seriously impact your quality of life."

Lesego describes her experience with what she calls "endo attacks" – episodes of debilitating pelvic pain paired with heavy, irregular bleeding. Her journey hasn't been easy. Like many others, she's dealt with the physical and emotional toll of chronic pain, including depression and anxiety.

"The unpredictable nature of the pain and the fact that it's an invisible disease has led to social isolation and feelings of guilt," Mokgatle shares. "I've had to cancel plans or step back from responsibilities, and it's taken a real physical toll on me. I've had to take time off work and undergo major surgeries."

Currently, there's no cure for endometriosis. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms through hormonal medications, pain management, and sometimes surgery. But Lesego has turned her pain into purpose, becoming an activist and advocate fighting for better education, awareness, and faster diagnosis times.

Through Endo Speak, she's created a space where women affected by endometriosis can share their stories and connect with others who understand their experience. "It's been therapeutic in many ways," she says.

Lesego has learned to manage her condition through lifestyle changes – following an anti-inflammatory diet, doing low-impact exercises like yoga, practicing stress-reduction techniques, and prioritizing self-care. The support from her family and loved ones has been crucial for her mental health, and she's found that being vocal about her condition has been healing.

"It hasn't been easy, but speaking openly about my condition has been therapeutic," Lesego says. Her hope is that we can lift the stigma attached to endometriosis and start having real conversations about it. She also advocates for workplace support, encouraging employers to create understanding environments for employees dealing with this condition.

Through advocates like Lesego, we're slowly breaking the silence around endometriosis and creating the awareness this condition desperately needs.

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