A new study has found severe endometriosis can be linked to obesity.

The Australian study of 500 women reveals obese women are more likely to have endometriosis, a condition affecting 1 in 10 women.

Dr Sarah Holdsworth-Carson from the University of Melbourne says the research contradicts the ‘social dogma that has described endometriosis as a disease of skinny women,’

It is hoped the research that identifies obese women as most at risk for endometriosis will encourage women to get checked, improving chances for intervention.