Endometriosis affects so much more than your physical health

The UK's Office of National Statistics discovered that women with endometriosis are earning less due to the debilitating condition.

The team analysed the income of 55,000 people in the UK and found that the condition affects so much more than a patient's physical health.

Researchers found that women with endometriosis noticed an average decrease of €56 per month four to five years following their diagnosis.

The report reads: "Among those in paid work, monthly pay decreased on average from one to five years after the condition was identified, compared with the two years prior, reaching an average decrease of £56 per month in the four to five years post-diagnosis; this suggests that, following the diagnosis, women in work may be taking lower-paying jobs or working fewer hours."

The report has highlighted the stark impact the condition can have on a woman's life.

Many women with endometriosis have had no choice but to take on part-time work as their full-time jobs don't offer enough support.

Others are cutting work hours due to ongoing appointments and treatments.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue, similar to the inner lining of your uterus, grows outside of the uterus.

The condition affects your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissues lining the pelvis.

However, endometriosis growths can be found beyond the area where pelvic organs are located, but this is rare.

The main symptoms of endometriosis include extremely painful periods, pain during sex, pain with bowel movements or urination.

Patients may also suffer from excessive bleeding, infertility, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea.

They may also have severe lower back and stomach pain.

Symptoms can be so extreme that it is impossible for those with the condition to leave the house.

It is believed that one in every 10 Irish women suffers from endometriosis.

The Endometriosis Association of Ireland has been calling on the HSE to introduce a national endometriosis framework.

The framework would help Irish women access "appropriate treatments in a timely and cost-effective manner."

An EAI spokesperson told The Irish Examiner that women in Ireland have little support.

"Waiting for another six months could cause untold damage for people who don’t know where to go next for help," they stated.

The National Endometriosis Framework was originally announced in 2021 by former Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly.

The healthcare system is failing Irish women yet again by not taking this harrowing condition seriously.

If this recent study proves anything it is that women with endometriosis need urgent support and care.

It isn't something that should be dismissed as it has been done by the Irish healthcare system time and time again.