Women diagnosed with endometriosis can expect to see their monthly pay fall on average compared to the levels they received before the condition was spotted, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
The latest figures revealed a drop in employee pay and employee status after an endometriosis diagnosis in an NHS hospital, compared with the two years before.
Endometriosis is a chronic gynaecological condition that effects one in 10 women and has physical, psychological, social, and economic impacts. It has been estimated to cost the UK £8.2 billion each year.
According to the ONS, monthly pay for all women—both those in paid work and those unemployed—fell in the first three months following diagnosis. While wages initially rebounded between four and twelve months later, the recovery was short-lived. In the following years, earnings continued to decline, reaching a £130 monthly reduction four to five years post-diagnosis.
For women who remained in paid work, average earnings fell by £56 per month within the same period. The ONS suggested this could be due to affected women taking lower-paid jobs or reducing their working hours.
Charity Endometriosis UK called the publication of the ONS data “an important step forward in enabling those with the disease to thrive at work and live full lives”.
It said that this information, along with the NHS Confederation’s recent report on the economic benefits of investing in women’s health services, helps to build the case for better support for those with endometriosis.
Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, said: “This new research puts an important spotlight on the challenges faced by those with endometriosis at work, and is a step towards enabling those with the disease to thrive in their careers. Those with endometriosis symptoms shouldn’t have to worry about losing their job, having to change career, or feel restricted in the types of work they can do.”
She explained that symptoms vary from person to person, from mild or no symptoms to very severe, and added: “We need employers to understand endometriosis and overcome myths and embarrassment about periods and menstrual health and support their employees.
“Our Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme shows that where workplaces provide support, understanding and reasonable adjustments for endometriosis – as they should for any medical condition – they can retain talented employees.”
In addition to increasing employers’ understanding around endometriosis, the charity called on the NHS to speed up diagnosis and access to treatments. It said that more research investment was needed to further understand the impact of the disease and find new treatments.
Cox said: “We also eagerly await the government’s response to the Women and Equalities committee report that recommends amending the Employment Rights Bill to include those with endometriosis and other menstrual health conditions – in line with Endometriosis UK’s own campaign.
Endometriosis UK supported ONS in creating this data, as well as a previous dataset, released in December 2024.
- Check out the opinion piece ‘How HR can help reduce the high cost of endometriosis’ from Julie Burns, manager of the Endometriosis Friendly Employer scheme at charity Endometriosis UK, published last year.
