Endometriosis at work
How to cope with endometriosis in the workplace - for employees, employers and colleagues
Coping with endometriosis at work
Endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK. It can affect around 1 in 10 women, typically between puberty and menopause1. Therefore any symptoms tend to emerge during a woman’s most active working years, and when they have a family - or are trying to start one.
It can take around eight years to get an endometriosis diagnosis, and that’s a stressful journey. Symptoms can include chronic pain and fatigue, and the condition can disrupt daily routines, fertility and mental health. Time off work may be needed for coping with symptoms or for tests and treatment.
Some women feel no negative effects, and don’t want support from their employer. However, many find coping with endometriosis to be very challenging, especially in the midst of a busy life.
What’s the impact of endometriosis in the workplace?
Women who live with endometriosis need more support at work, because they often suffer significant losses of income and opportunity. This means that endometriosis is a workplace issue
- 40% of women with endometriosis worry about losing their job2
- 27% say they’ve missed out on promotion because of their endometriosis.2
- 55% have had to have time off work often’ or very often’.2
- 54% say that endometriosis has reduced their income.3
- 87% believe the condition has impacted their long-term financial situation.3
- One in six women with endometriosis give up work.3
According to a report by the APPG on endometriosis (PDF, 1.7MB), the condition costs the UK economy £8.2 billion a year in loss of work and healthcare.2 So better support in the workplace could make a big difference to employers’ own productivity and profitability, too.
Be mindful of your symptoms
- Check your knowledge of the main symptoms with our endometriosis quiz.
- You might find it helpful to track the frequency and severity of your symptoms with our endometriosis symptoms diary (PDF,0.4MB)
- Try to pace yourself when symptoms worsen, and rest when you can. Trying to carry on could simply lead to further problems.
- Keep a supply of your endometriosis self-help remedies at work. Besides painkillers, depending on your job you may be able to use a hot water bottle or heat pad.
Supportive colleagues can be a big help at work
If you’d like to support a colleague with endometriosis, here are some helpful things you could try
Awareness sessions
Raising awareness in the workplace can be a big help. If your employer doesn’t already run such sessions, you could always ask them to consider it, and point them to resources.
Finding out more
Read up so you understand the symptoms, treatments and effects of endometriosis. That way, you’ll have a greater understanding of what your colleague is going through.
Being supportive
If a colleague is struggling, ask how you can support them. You could help prioritise their workload on tough days, for example, and be understanding of time off sick
Our helpful guide offers tips and advice on supporting someone who has endometriosis:
How to manage your endometriosis symptoms at work
You don’t have to tell your manager you have endometriosis, but their understanding could help to relieve some of the stress you may be feeling. You’ll know best whether you feel you can open up. Below are some more tips that could help you manage your endometriosis at work.
Reach out to a supportive colleague
When you’re struggling with endometriosis at work it can be worth finding someone to confide in, who can listen and be supportive.
They might be a close colleague or a friend, but they could also be someone you least expect - but who understands endometriosis.
Perhaps your employer knows about multiple people coping with endometriosis at work. With everyone’s permission, they could put you in touch with one another for mutual support.
Read other people’s experiences of endometriosis
Up to one in ten women can have endometriosis†, so if that includes you then you’re definitely not alone. That’s why we’ve gathered together a range of real people’s personal experiences.
Hollie had never heard of endometriosis until she was diagnosed at 23. And Angela, after 12 years, finally had a day without painkillers in January 2021 and recommends being open about endometriosis at work.
There’s also Kirsty, whose problems began when she was ten and went on to become severe. Her struggle with pain, infertility and mental health are balanced by the caring support of her husband, friends and manager.
When an employee tells you they’re struggling with endometriosis at work, they might be faced with challenges such as:
- Coping with a range of symptoms including severe pain and fatigue.
- Taking time off work if they’re feeling unwell, or for tests or treatment.
- Feeling embarrassed or guilty about any absences, or that they’ve created an additional burden for their colleagues or manager.
The more you know about endometriosis, the more you can understand the effects on an employee’s physical and mental wellbeing, and their need for support. We offer lots of information about the condition on our endometriosis support page. And why not consider becoming an Endometriosis Friendly Employer?
Of course, you can always be flexible on an ad hoc basis, but you could also be more structured about your approach. If you and your employee agree that they would benefit, you might offer flexible working conditions. That could mean variable hours, and/or working from home some or most of the time.
This kind of flexibility could help your employee to self-manage, so that their condition has less of an effect on their attendance and performance at work. It could help them to cope better with their symptoms, or to control the impact of any time off for tests and treatment.
Understanding endometriosis, and having ideas for how to manage its effects in the workplace, are the keys to supporting your affected employees and their performance. Workplace awareness of different conditions is growing all the time, and many companies now offer in-house training on issues like mental health and dementia, for example.
The national charity Endometriosis UK offers endometriosis training for employers.
How Bupa can support you with endometriosis
We understand that it can be challenging to get a diagnosis and support for endometriosis. But we offer a range of options, whether you’re a Bupa member or not.
If you have health insurance
We cover the diagnosis of endometriosis, as well as treatments for acute symptoms and flare-ups (except for drug therapies). We don't usually cover conditions you had
before your policy began. If you’re struggling with your symptoms, you can talk to a nurse 24/7 via our Bupa Anytime HealthLine, or talk to a doctor using Bupa Blua Health, our digital GP service.†
Or simply call us on:
0345 609 0111^
If you don’t have health insurance
We want to help everyone, whether you have health insurance with us or not. That’s why you’re welcome to all the expert tips and tools on this page and on our endometriosis support page.
If you’d like to explore private healthcare for endometriosis, including support with diagnosis and/or treatment, you can simply pay as you go with Bupa.
You’re under no obligation to tell anyone at work about your condition. However, if you feel that asking for repeated time off work is becoming uncomfortable, it may be better if someone in your workplace knows about it. That could be your boss or someone in HR, for example.
If you do feel able to talk about endometriosis more widely, opening up could help to promote wider understanding and support for yourself and other colleagues who may also have the condition.
If your endometriosis symptoms prevent you from working, you have the same rights as with any other illness.
You’re entitled to self-certify yourself from work in the event of a short period. You’d only need to talk to your GP if you think you’ll need to be off from work for longer than seven consecutive days. In that case, they may provide you with a 'statement of fitness to work’, which can give your employer information about any adaptations that might help you to attend work − or, if you’re unable to attend work, for however long that might be for.
Endometriosis is not classed as a disability in the UK. However, it is a chronic condition, which means it’s long-lasting, can be managed but can’t be cured, and can limit your quality of life. The more people who talk openly about endometriosis, the greater understanding we can build as a society.
Endometriosis is often characterised by 'flare-ups’. These are periods of time when your symptoms suddenly worsen, or new ones develop. These can be debilitatingly painful and are therefore likely to affect your ability to work.
Our tips are to use heat, rest, take medication, reduce any stress, adapt your routine, and record your symptoms and treatments. There’s more in our helpful endometriosis flare up infographic.
Endometriosis UK is the country’s leading charity for people with endometriosis. They launched the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme, whereby organisations commit to understanding the condition and providing support for employees who have it.
When a workplace signs up to be an Endometriosis Friendly Employer, among other things this means:
- They receive regular newsletters highlighting best practice and keeping them up to date with endometriosis news.
- They can participate in the 'Endometriosis Champions’ scheme, with an induction webinar and regular updates.
- They get a copy of the book Endometriosis: The Experts' Guide to Treat, Manage and Live Well With Your Symptoms.
Resources offering information and support for endometriosis in the workplace
We recognise that endometriosis is a particularly challenging condition, and it can be hard to find information and support. So here are some websites that could help, whether you’re an employee living with endometriosis, a colleague or an employer.
The Law and Best Practice for Employers (PDF, 0.7MB)
Endometriosis UK has produced a workplace guide to issues such as sick pay, equality, discrimination, flexible working, and more.
Endometriosis in the UK: Time for change (PDF 1.7MB)
This excellent All-Party Parliamentary Group report on endometriosis has sections relevant to employment: see pages 58 to 65.
Endometriosis in the Workplace
This government webpage explores endometriosis using the words of some of the 2,600 women who took part in a survey.
^ Lines are open 8am - 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am-4pm Saturdays. We may record or monitor our calls.
1Endometriosis Facts and Figures | Endometriosis UK (endometriosis-uk.org)
2All-Party Parliamentary Group on Endometriosis (PDF, 1.7MB)
† Customers who live on the Isle of Man, or have a Bupa Standard, Bupa Premium or Bupa Your Choice policy, may not have access to Bupa Blua Health, but can access GP24 provided by HealthHero. Some corporate schemes don t include access to Bupa Blua Health or GP24, so please check your scheme documents or give us a call.
Bupa Blua Health is provided by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, registered in England and Wales with number 3829851. Digital GP services are powered by Babylon Healthcare Services Limited, registered in England and Wales with number 09229684, registered office: 1 Knightsbridge Green, London SW1X 7QA.
Anytime HealthLine is provided by Bupa Occupational Health Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 631336. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ. Bupa Anytime HealthLine is not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority.
Bupa health insurance is provided by Bupa Insurance Limited. Registered in England and Wales No. 3956433. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Arranged and administered by Bupa Insurance Services Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3829851. Registered office: 1 Angel Court, London, EC2R 7HJ.
