She suffered significant pain associated with her period as a 16 year old and was told by her GP there was no physical cause for it and instead sent to a psychologist.

It was not until two years later, when she filled out a questionnaire given to all the girls at her Canberra school, that she finally felt like someone was listening.

Canberra nurse and researcher Melissa Parker, who was looking for a way to stop women with endometriosis suffering in silence, developed the survey and called Ms Boyson after reading her results.

That changed the course of Ms Boyson's life, who for the first time felt validated, leading to her diagnosis with endometriosis and ongoing treatment.

After more than a decade of research Ms Parker has developed a simplified version of the self-assessment tool that Ms Boyson filled out while a schoolgirl.

The Period ImPact and Pain Assessment self-screening tool will be rolled out across Canberra and the country to help more women get treatment sooner.

It is a five question self-assessment survey for teenagers and women.

"We know early diagnoses reduces the impact long term," Ms Parker said.

"The common things is they are told it's all in their head.

"That's pretty soul destroying if you know that something is not right and you feel very unwell.

"Then when it impacts on your job or school, going out with friends, it has a huge impact.

“Endometriosis is a really tricky condition to diagnose. Its signs and symptoms not only vary from person to person but the problems can range from severe pelvic pain through to no symptoms."

Now in her early thirties, a mum and working in a demanding job, Ms Boyson often thinks about what her life would have been like if she had not have crossed paths with Ms Parker.

"Her phone-call gave me a little bit of power back, a little bit of hope," Ms Boyson said.

Health Minister Meegan Fitzharris said the tool would be rolled out in in Canberra schools, the ACT Health website and walk-in-centres next year to make it easier for women to self-assess and to empower them to seek an early diagnosis.

“I’m really proud that we have led the way here in the ACT with the development of this important new self-assessment tool, which is a testament to our health and medical research capabilities," she said.

“Indeed [the tool] is already in demand from other health services and governments who realise its potential and are keen to offer better health services for women who potentially have this condition.”