On the outside, I look perfectly healthy. On the inside, however, it's a totally different story.

Dear Jacinda,

Here in New Zealand we are pretty lucky. But unfortunately, 120,000 of us drew the short straw.

I have a disease called endometriosis. You may or may not of heard of it, but it affects 120,000 people in New Zealand. That's one in 10 Kiwis.

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This unknown - but not uncommon - disease is when a tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the stuff women shed during their period) grows outside of the uterus, in places it shouldn't be.

READ MORE:

* I wouldn't wish endo on my worst enemy

* Lena Dunham has uterus removed due to endometriosis

* More than 'Emma with endometriosis'

* For too long, no-one believed my pain was real

Symptoms include severe period pain, bowel problems, pain during sex, possible infertility and heavy/irregular bleeding, just to name a few.

The only way to get a diagnosis is through laparoscopic surgery. It can be horrifically painful and distressing. Also, guess what - there is no known cure for endometriosis.

You have probably heard of asthma or diabetes. Those conditions affect the same amount of people in NZ as endometriosis. In the last ten years asthma received $46 million of funding, and diabetes $81m. Endometriosis received $0.

The average time it takes for a woman to be diagnosed with endometriosis is eight years. This is because so many people think what they are experiencing is normal. Discomfort with your period is normal, distress is never normal.

Education on this topic would decrease this time. The Endometriosis NZ "ME" (menstrual health and endometriosis) program is something that should be funded so every secondary school student in New Zealand can be informed.

I'm 19 years old and I wish I could live a normal life again. On the outside, I look perfectly healthy. On the inside, however, it's a totally different story.

The days of going out and making spontaneous plans are gone; I am in constant fear of my own body sabotaging me.

I have fainted multiple times from just trying to pass a bowel movement. I can't count the number of times I have flooded through multiple pads and tampons in an hour. Most days I get so bloated I look like I am pregnant.

On many occasions I have been out hanging with friends feeling totally fine and then an hour later, in the emergency room having morphine pumped into me for relief.

I am not the person I used to be before I was diagnosed with endometriosis. There are so many things I have to take into account now. I get so angry and irritable because of my constant pain and I hate that about myself. I feel like a monster.

Endometriosis has largely impacted my life. Last year I had to resign from my job and withdraw from my studies because I was in so much pain every single day.

I had three surgeries to try to get my endometriosis under control. I have been at my lowest because of endometriosis. I have had numerous doctors and specialists not take me seriously. At one point, I felt like I was going crazy because I was convinced the pain was "all in my head".

There are only so many times the doctors can tell you "there is nothing we can do," before you start feeling over it. There is only so much one person can take.

Sadly, this is the case for most women with endometriosis. So many of us feel unheard and alone.

Please listen to us. You have the power to make a change. Endometriosis New Zealand needs your help.

Sincerely,

One 19-year-old who is over it, and 119,999 other New Zealanders.

To read more about Jasmine's endometriosis journey, check out her blog Living life yellow.