It's hard to believe but up to 50 percent of women in their child-bearing years might be living with a condition that they don't even know about. Endometriosis can do more than cause pain. It can affect your ability to have children.

In this month's Health Check, what women need to know.

Jennifer Daher's children are at an age where they don't always want to wave back but Daher remembers life before teenagers. She worried she'd never have children.

She says, "I look at my kids every day and realize they were my little miracles."

Doctors gave Daher a two to five percent chance of conceiving. Stage four endometriosis had caused infertility

Jennifer says, "The signs were there: the painful menstrual, doubling over in excruciating pain. But I just thought it was normal, really."

Dr. John Cote', an Alegent Health Lakeside OB/Gyn says up to 50 percent of women in their child-bearing years might be like Jennifer Daher. They could have endometrial tissue growing outside their uterus, sometimes implanting elsewhere, and not even know it.

Anyone with a painful period should discuss it with a doctor.

Dr. Cote' says, "Although there are no studies to prove if we catch it earlier you may be better off, being aware of it and trying to control some of the symptoms like pain and infertility problems that can come about from endometriosis is a good thing. So, the earlier the better."

Treatment options include:

Hysterectomy as a last resort

Jennifer Daher had a hysterectomy after realizing the twins would be her only pregnancy.

"Huge difference," she says. "Obviously, no pain; a lot easier every month. It was a wise decision. It was the right thing for me to do."

She urges women with symptoms to talk with a doctor and to never give up hope. She has two reminders that miracles do happen.

Something else to keep in mind: up to 90 percent of women with pelvic pain might have endometriosis. While there is no cure, there are options available so it's important to talk to a doctor.

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Channel 6 and Alegent Health are combining to bring you monthly Health Check reports on our 5 p.m. news and here on WOWT.COM. We'll be exploring new innovations and insights into women's health along with providing a few reminders on the basics of staying healthy. For the latest medical news and health resources, tune in Channel 6 at 5 on the 6th of each month and visit us here on the Web for additional updates.

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Bergan Mercy Medical Center	Immanuel Medical Center
Lakeside Hospital	Midlands Hospital
Mercy Hospital	Alegent Health Clinic