Endometriosis affects between 1 in 10 and 1 in 7 women. This condition can concern women of all ages, but it is particularly prevalent among those of child-bearing age, spanning from puberty to menopause. It is a long-term health condition with significant and far-reaching effects on those living with it. Common symptoms include chronic pelvic pain, severe menstrual pain and heavy periods, gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, fertility problems, an increased risk of miscarriage, and depression.
In this article, we learn more about the condition and how you can effectively support people in your workplace living with endometriosis.
What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a medical condition characterized by the growth of cells and tissue resembling the lining of the womb in other parts of the body, typically within the pelvic cavity, ovaries, or fallopian tubes.
This tissue undergoes monthly build-up and breakdown, similar to the natural menstrual cycle. However, unlike the lining of the womb, which is shed during menstruation, the misplaced tissue becomes trapped, causing pain, inflammation, and the formation of adhesions (scar tissue).
The pain can be severe enough to cause fainting for some women. The disorder can also cause chronic fatigue, heavy bleeding, chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, fertility problems, an increased risk of miscarriage, and depression.
The symptoms force women to take sick leave on a regular basis or find over-adaptation strategies to cope with their symptoms in the workplace.
The Effects of Endometriosis on Employees
Given the range of symptoms associated with endometriosis, it is unsurprising that employees living with this condition may face challenges in the workplace.
It cost billion annually in terms of lost work, reduced productivity and healthcare expenses, not to mention the reduced quality of life experienced by those living with the condition.
Here are some ways endometriosis can impact employees:
1. Stress and Mental Health Issues
The uncertainty and stress associated with undergoing investigations and awaiting a diagnosis can significantly affect the mental health of individuals with endometriosis. Furthermore, the lack of known cause or cure for the condition can cause shock, distress, and anxiety. Employees attempting to start a family may also face fertility issues, leading to additional stress and emotional strain.
Women leaders and managers also have unique responsibilities that often overshadow their own needs.
Stress and anxiety come from dealing with pain and symptoms at work, while willing to perform the task and responsibilities “as if” all was fine, to keep the opportunities to embrace (or keep) leadership roles and advance in the career.
2. Workplace Challenges
Employees living with endometriosis may experience difficulties while at work, such as pain, nausea, fatigue, or menstrual problems. They may be hesitant to disclose their condition for multiple reasons (personal, cultural, social…) or fear being perceived as a burden or incapable by their colleagues, especially if there is a lack of awareness and understanding regarding endometriosis.
3. Fear to take sick leave or be absent
Employees living with endometriosis often find themselves needing to take time off work due to illness during flare-ups or to attend medical appointments. Unfortunately, this can have a negative impact on their sickness and absence records, leading to reduced earnings and decreased productivity.
The reality is that many women suffering from endometriosis may hesitate or fear to take sick leave or time off to prioritise their health. Instead, they may push themselves to come to work, adjusting and enduring the pain silently, which ultimately results in decreased productivity. This situation not only prevents women from taking care of their own needs but also leads to frustration as they are unable to perform their jobs as they would like to.
Key figures about endometriosis
- It affects over 190 million worldwide (14 million women in Europe, 6.5 million in the US alone)
- 7-10 years is the average time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis
- 66% of women with endometriosis take medication (1)
- 62% have had at least one operation (1)
- 88% say it impacts their well-being at work (1)
- 83% say it impacts their ability to work (1)
- Indirect costs, including days of work lost and reduced quality of work, were almost $16,000 per patient per year (2) in the US
- The European Parliament has calculated an annual social expenditure of EUR 30 billion for endometriosis-related leave. (5)
- Endometriosis patients used on average 60% of their sick leave to treat their chronic pain (3)
- 65% of an Australian cohort of endometriosis patients used unpaid leave to manage their endometriosis symptoms (4)
- 64% felt judged in the workplace for their symptoms (4)
Supporting Employees with Endometriosis:
To provide effective support for employees with endometriosis, cultivating awareness and understanding within the workplace is essential.
By educating yourself and your team about the nature of endometriosis and its impact on an individual’s life and well-being, you can create an inclusive and supportive environment.
Here are some strategies you may consider:
1. Cultivating awareness for all employees.
Initiating awareness among all employees regarding the challenges and inequalities that can arise in such situations is a crucial and impactful initial stride. Implementing an awareness-raising campaign targeted at employees and managers can be a simple yet effective approach. The objective of such a campaign would be to educate individuals to better understand and on how to appropriately respond to various health issues women may face in the workplace.
It can also help create a culture where people may feel more comfortable talking openly about their condition.
Our clients have experienced remarkable outcomes and satisfaction feedback from their employees (males and females) by organizing keynote speeches and workshops to raise awareness about endometriosis in the workplace for example during:
– International Day of Action for Women’s Health (May 28)
– Endometriosis Awareness Month in March
– International Women’s Day (March 8)
– Health and Wellbeing Day or Week initiatives by companies
-…
By promoting understanding and providing guidance on what actions and statements to avoid, it sets the foundation for a supportive environment that fosters empathy and real change for women.
2. Provide Comfort Measures.
When feasible, make reasonable adjustments to accommodate their needs. For instance, allowing employees to work from home or offering shorter shifts during times of severe symptoms can greatly alleviate their challenges. Consider allowing employees with endometriosis to perform certain tasks while sitting rather than standing for extended periods. Permit employees to use hot water bottles or heat pads and encourage them to take frequent breaks to manage pain.
Even minor adjustments like these can make a significant difference for employees battling chronic pain and debilitating symptoms.
3. Seek and offer guidance.
Offering resources like yogatherapy and lifestyle coaching workshops or 1:1 coaching can provide valuable insights and strategies tailored to the unique needs of individuals with endometriosis. Employees with endometriosis may find effective and personnalized tools to better navigate their symptoms and ways to soothe their pain at work and in their live.
Supporting employees with endometriosis requires a compassionate and accommodating approach. By fostering awareness, understanding, and empathy in the workplace, employers can help alleviate the challenges faced by employees living with this condition.
Remember, even small adjustments and gestures can have a profound impact on an employee’s well-being and productivity.
Together, we can create a supportive environment for individuals with endometriosis and ease day-to-day life for women in the workplace.
No woman has to compromise her wellbeing for her career and her career for her health.
Get in Touch
We can together change the paradigm and create positive change together.
We believe in opening up possibilities for women by reconciling work and women’s health, ensuring that no woman has to compromise her wellbeing for her career and her career for her health. Together we can tailor-made solutions to support women with endometriosis with actionable initiatives designed to make women’s day-to-day lives easier in the workplace.
If you have any questions or require further information about supporting employees with endometriosis, please reach out to us.
Sources:
1. “Enquête sur le parcours des femmes souffrant d’endométriose”, a survey of women suffering from endometriosis, conducted by the Ipsos research institute for the EndoFrance nonprofit and the Gedeon Richter lab (June 17, 2020).
2. Soliman AM, Yang H, Du EX, Kelley C, Winkel C. The direct and indirect costs associated with endometriosis: a systematic literature review. Hum Reprod. (2016) 31:712–22. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dev335
3. Young E. The cost of endometriosis in Australia: A report for EndoActive by Ernst & Young. EndoActive (2019).
4. Armour M, Ciccia D, Stoikos C, Wardle J. Endometriosis and the workplace: lessons from Australia’s response to COVID-19. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol. (2022) 62:164–7. doi: 10.1111/ajo.13458
5. Current state of the fight against endometriosis in the EU. Question to the Commission E-000360/2023
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