For Kaitlyn Goodsell, the hardest part of living with endometriosis is the lack of understanding surrounding the condition. The 24-year-old frequently experienced debilitating pain but she struggles to make her condition understood simply because she doesn’t look sick.

The Baranduda woman was diagnosed with endometriosis at age 15. 

Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue which lines the womb forms deposits outside the uterus, commonly on or near the Fallopian tubes.

Ms Goodsell said the government’s National Endometriosis Action Plan action plan would bring the condition into the spotlight. 

“It’ll have a huge impact... especially when it comes to family, friends and jobs having some sort of understanding,” she said.

“Honestly the hardest part is a lot of people think you’re faking, they just don’t know. 

“They said ‘get over it I get period pain too’. They don’t understand the extent of it and what it can do to your body or how it impacts you.”

Despite causing severe pain, bleeding and possibly infertility, most women are not diagnosed until seven or 10 years after symptoms begin and doctors struggling to recognise the disease. 

RELATED: 

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the plan aims to improve the disease’s treatment, understanding and awareness.

"On behalf of all of those in Parliament and all of those who have been responsible for our medical system, I apologise,” he said. 

"This condition should have been acknowledged at an earlier time in a more powerful way, and it will never be forgotten again."

Ms Goodsell said it would be great if the increased recognition translated into increased support so people with endometriosis can afford medication and surgeries.

“With centrelink there’s nothing for people who have endo, even when they can’t work – there’s no support, no recognition,” she said.

“You really can’t do anything when you’re in pain and suffering, it’s good they’ve apologised but it’s the first in many steps.”

Endometriosis Australia’s Donna Ciccia said there was a stigma attached to the condition and women were told it's in their heads and that they're being hysterical.