LOUISE Redknapp, pop star and wife of Saints footballer Jamie Redknapp, has given her backing to a campaign to raise awareness of a condition which can cause infertility.

Louise is among more than two million women who suffer from endometriosis - a chronic and debilitating gynaecological disease, which can cause infertility, chronic and acute pain, often accompanied by depression.

The condition almost prevented Louise from having children, but against the odds the singer gave birth to a baby boy - Charlie - in August last year.

Now she is helping to raise awareness of the condition and the profile of the National Endometriosis Society.

Although the disease is one of the most common gynaecological conditions in the UK - one in ten women of reproductive age are thought to suffer from it. It has little public recognition and is known as the "Cinderella" of women's diseases in relation to the attention and funding it receives.

"It can be very painful," said Louise. "Some sufferers are as young as 19 or 20. I suffered very badly with it and it took me four years for me to fall pregnant with Charlie.

There is no known cure for endometriosis and the disease can strike at any age. It takes on average up to seven years to diagnose. During that time a woman can suffer enormous discomfort.

The only way to diagnose the condition is through surgery called a laparoscopy, in which a small opening is usually made in the navel and a tube with a tiny camera is inserted.

Robert Music, chief executive of the National Endometriosis Society, said the charity was grateful to Louise.

"Louise is so well respected," he said.

"It is great she has been so open about her condition - many sufferers can feel isolated."