A new study has revealed that women with endometriosis take a direct hit to their earnings following a diagnosis.

The landmark research, which was undertaken by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), found a “statistically significant average decrease in monthly earnings among women aged 25 to 54 years in England who received a diagnosis of endometriosis between April 2016 and December 2022”. Pay decreased drastically year on year, reaching a £130 monthly reduction in the four to five years post-diagnosis compared with the two years before diagnosis.

The study also revealed that women are more likely to leave full-time employment following a diagnosis. Women with endometriosis are 2.7% more likely to leave the workforce in the four to five years after finding out they have the condition, compared with the two years before receiving a diagnosis.

Commenting on the research, Emma Cox, CEO of Endometriosis UK, called for the government to do more to keep women in work and increase NHS funding to care for women with the condition. “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,” she said. “Those with endometriosis symptoms shouldn’t have to worry about losing their job, having to change careers or feeling restricted in the types of work they can do.

“As well as employers understanding endometriosis, we need the NHS to speed up diagnosis and access to treatments, and more research investment to further understand the impact of the disease and find new treatments,” Cox added. “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.”

Images: Getty