How Chronic Illness Is Forcing Women Out of the Workplace

Endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows elsewhere in the body, is forcing a significant number of women out of the workforce due to chronic pain and diagnostic delays. According to charity founder Carla Cressy and psychotherapist Dr. Sula Windgassen, systemic issues—including medical bias and a lack of workplace legislation—contribute to severe health and economic consequences for patients.

The Impact of Diagnostic Delays on Career Longevity

For many women, the path to an endometriosis diagnosis is marked by years of misdiagnosis and debilitating physical symptoms. Carla Cressy, who worked as a model until the age of 17, experienced years of “excruciating pain” before receiving a diagnosis at age 25. By that time, she had undergone an unnecessary appendectomy and multiple hospitalizations for symptoms originally dismissed as a “stomach bug.”

The consequences for professional life are often severe. Cressy, now 35, eventually retrained as a beauty therapist because she felt “unemployable and unreliable” due to her condition. Data suggests that one in six women with endometriosis leave the workplace because of the disease. Abi Smith, 27, reported similar struggles while working at a post office, where she described “throwing up in the bin” and needing to use the restroom every few minutes to cope with the pain. Despite her health challenges, Smith has had three applications for disability benefits rejected.

Medical Misogyny and the Psychological Toll

Dr. Sula Windgassen, a psychotherapist researching medical gaslighting, identifies “medical misogyny and unconscious bias” as primary drivers of poor health outcomes for endometriosis patients. According to Dr. Windgassen, the experience of being disbelieved by healthcare professionals leads to increased anxiety, isolation, and physiological changes, such as altered cortisol patterns and inflammation.

The physical manifestation of the disease can be extreme. Monica Thomas, 34, reports that her endometriosis has spread to her lungs, necessitating upcoming surgery. She also manages adenomyosis and pelvic congestion syndrome. Like Cressy and Smith, Thomas faced a years-long diagnostic delay, which she believes contributed to the progression of her health issues. She has since established the charity Women’s Health Hope to provide a support hub for others navigating similar experiences.

Workplace Challenges and the Need for Reform

There is currently no legislation in the UK to ensure workers with menstrual health conditions are treated fairly if they need time off work. This lack of policy leaves many women struggling to maintain productivity while managing pain that can exceed “10 out of 10” on a standard scale, according to Dr. Windgassen.

Cressy, who founded The Endometriosis Foundation after her own surgeries—which included a total hysterectomy and bladder reconstruction—has provided evidence to an ongoing inquiry into workplace impacts. While advocates like Smith find the inquiry “encouraging,” they argue that the scope of support must be widened to address the reality of living with a chronic, often invisible, condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is endometriosis? It is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it, often causing chronic pain and infertility.
• Why is it often misdiagnosed? Patients frequently report that doctors dismiss their symptoms as “all in their head” or common menstrual issues, a phenomenon researchers call medical gaslighting.
• What treatments are available? Treatments can include medically induced menopause and surgery. Patients are encouraged to follow National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines through their GP.

Are you or someone you know struggling with the workplace impact of a chronic health condition? Share your experiences in the comments below or explore our resources on navigating health rights in the workplace.