1 in 6 women with endometriosis leave the workforce due to symptoms, research finds

One in ten women in Ireland suffer from endometriosis.

Endometrial like tissue (similar to the uterine lining, but not originating from) grows in various places in the body, most commonly in the pelvis. Even though it is a fairly common condition among Irish women many suffer in silence with new research finding that some sufferers even feel the need to leave their jobs. “One in six women living with endometriosis leave the workforce due to symptoms, but that doesn’t need to be the case.” That’s according to Adeline O’Brien, CEO of Empower. Ms. O’Brien spoke at an event on Friday, in Draíocht Arts Centre, to raise awareness of the condition and its impact on women’s careers. The event is being held in partnership with the Endometriosis Association of Ireland, as part of the company’s International Women’s Day celebrations which sought to highlight the practical steps that employers can take to help employees with endometriosis remain in their jobs. Speaking at the event, Adeline O’Brien said: "10 per cent of women in Ireland live with endometriosis. There is no reason for so many of these women leaving their jobs, given how simple changes can facilitate them to stay in work. As an employer of women living with the condition, I have seen first-hand how very practical steps can help make it possible for women to stay in the work force. This is an often invisible condition, despite the very real impact it has on people living with it. To be able to facilitate women, employers must know more about the condition and take the impact on women’s personal and professional lives seriously. The condition can cause extreme abdominal and pelvic pain and infertility. One of the main aims of today’s event is to begin a conversation about endometriosis and employment, and to dismantle the stigma around that conversation." In 2020 it's shocking to think that women feel the need to leave their jobs to deal with chronic health issues and I sincerely hope that more changes can be put in place by employers to help staff dealing with endometriosis so they no longer have to suffer in silence.