March is recognized as Endometriosis Awareness Month.

According to the World Health Organization, it affects an estimated 10% (190 million) of reproductive-age women worldwide.

"The issue with endometriosis is that it's very common, may affect up to 10% of our patients. And it's an inflammatory condition," said Dr. Spencer Richlin, surgical director at Illume Fertility.

Richlin said most health care providers don't think about the inflammatory disease. Symptoms include severe, debilitating menstrual cramps, chronic pelvic pain, pain during or after sex and heavy, prolonged periods.

Besides causing severe pain, it can also cause issues for women who are trying to get pregnant.

"We want to teach them about the medical condition and then offer them testing to kind of figure what's happening," he said.

Anyone who suspects that they have endometriosis should contact their OBGYN or reproductive physician.