Diagnosis & Prevalence of Endometriosis - Approximately 176 million women worldwide experience delayed endometriosis diagnosis, often waiting years [3] - Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 Polish women, yet diagnosis takes 7-10 years on average [4][5] Historical Context & Gender Bias in Medicine - Historically, women's health issues were neglected due to male dominance in medicine, exemplified by the "wandering uterus" theory [6][7][8][9][10][11] - Victorian era saw "hysteria" diagnosis used to control women, highlighting the lack of development in female healthcare [10][11][12] - Women were excluded from medical practice due to beliefs about their mental instability and potential infertility from using their brains too much [12][13][14] - The concept of the "male norm" persists, with anatomy and physiology studies often based on male subjects [18][19] Clinical Trials & Medication Effectiveness - Clinical trials often exclude women due to hormonal fluctuations, leading to medications working differently or not at all in women [20][21] - Scientific American criticized including both sexes in clinical research as a waste of time and money [21][22] - Diseases are often described through the lens of male symptoms, slowing diagnosis in women, even in cases like stroke or heart attack [23] Research Bias & Objectification - A study ranked women with chronic disease based on attractiveness, highlighting bias in research [24][25] Hope & Advocacy - Lexi's story shows recovery is possible, and she became a gynecologist to advocate for women's health [26] - Breaking the cycle of abuse requires acknowledging the legacy of hysteria and its impact [27]