The impact of reproductive health needs on women's employment: a qualitative insight into managing endometriosis and work.

BACKGROUND

Reproductive health conditions present various challenges for women in all aspects of their lives, including in the workplace. This study explores the workplace experiences of employed women with reproductive healthcare needs arising predominantly from endometriosis, as well as adenomyosis and infertility.

METHODS

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 women with one or more of these conditions who were employed while experiencing symptoms of their condition or seeking treatment (such as in-vitro fertilization or laparoscopic surgery).

RESULTS

Interviewees reported significant physical and psychological hardship because of their reproductive health conditions, namely pain associated with endometriosis. The impact of reproductive health needs and treatment on women's ability to work included: difficulty managing symptoms, additional pressure to perform, exhaustion of 'sick leave', and working less and negative impact on career progression. In terms of how workplaces can improve the wellbeing of women with endometriosis and other reproductive health needs, women would benefit from: flexibility and working from home, access to paid reproductive health leave, and improved workplace education, trust and understanding.

CONCLUSIONS

Women's own accounts of how endometriosis and their reproductive health impacts their working lives, and what employers can do to support them, provides a platform to better understand women's needs. These findings can inform public-policy solutions and workplace policies to better meet the needs of women with endometriosis and improve their workforce participation.