In one of her most “embarrassing” incidents, she recalled a trip to the movies that resulted in her passing out on a bathroom floor and ending up in hospital. 

Now 25, Ms Mason is among the 10 per cent of Australian women believed to have endometriosis – a condition that affects women’s reproductive organs. 

Just three weeks ago she had her second laparoscopic surgery – a hysteroscopy and cystoscopy. 

This month, the federal government announced it would create the first National Action Plan for Endometriosis, aimed at improving the treatment, understanding and awareness of the little-known disease.

Ms Mason said she went through years of misdiagnosis and treatment – something she said would eventually impact her mental health. 

“I was misdiagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease and was put on multiple medications that made me feel very sick for weeks,” she said. 

“The severe pain attacks began happening at work and I was unable to do my job anymore. 

“I thought it all must be in my head and started doubting what my body was trying to tell me.” 

In 2015, Ms Mason was hospitalised for her pain, only to be sent home with painkillers and without an identified cause.

A follow up at a gynecologist would result in laparoscopic surgery and her eventual diagnosis with stage four endometriosis. 

Unfortunately after the surgery, her symptoms continued to worsen. 

A new teacher at St Anthony’s Catholic School, she would spend her lunch breaks some days lying on the classroom floor in agony. 

After attending an event hosted by Endometriosis Australia in Hobart, she would meet Dr Kirsten Connan who would eventually perform Ms Mason’s most recent surgeries. 

With her quality of life now slowly returning, she said she was feeling the best she had in years. 

“I always knew deep down that something wasn't right, but when you are told that this is normal or put in the too hard basket, you do question yourself and wonder if it is all real.”