Endometriosis Forces One in Six Women Out of the Workplace, inquiry reveals

One in six women with endometriosis abandon their careers due to the condition, according to evidence presented to an ongoing inquiry into how the illness affects employment in the United Kingdom. The country currently has no legislation to protect workers with menstrual health conditions from discrimination when they require time away from work.

A Model's Misdiagnosis Spans Over a Decade

Carla Cressy, 35, from Essex, worked as a professional model from age five until 17, but repeatedly collapsed during photo shoots. The embarrassment forced her to leave the industry entirely. Beginning at age 13 when menstruation started, she experienced excruciating pain that doctors struggled to identify. She was hospitalised multiple times for what physicians believed was chronic constipation or stomach illness, yet the actual cause remained undiagnosed until age 25.

By that time, her appendix had already been surgically removed based on a misdiagnosis of acute appendicitis. The delayed treatment allowed endometriosis—a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the womb—to progress unchecked. After years of untreated symptoms, her condition evolved into frozen pelvis disease, where internal organs fused together. The damage became so extensive that she required bladder reconstruction surgery and a total hysterectomy, eliminating her ability to carry a pregnancy naturally.

Career Reconstruction and Workplace Reality

Unable to maintain modelling work due to unpredictable health crises, Cressy retrained as a beauty therapist. She described her working life as a painful cycle: seeing a client, then soaking in hot baths to manage stomach pain. Despite these adaptations, she felt "unemployable and unreliable." The psychological toll of managing a misunderstood chronic illness while maintaining employment proved overwhelming for many sufferers like her.

Cressy recently testified before an inquiry examining how endometriosis impacts women's workplace participation. Her testimony highlighted a critical gap: no legal framework exists in the UK ensuring that workers with menstrual health conditions receive fair treatment when requiring medical leave. This absence of protection contributes directly to career abandonment among affected women.

From Patient to Advocate

While recovering from surgery, Cressy connected with other women facing similar struggles through online support groups she created. These networks eventually evolved into The Endometriosis Foundation, a charity dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of the condition. She was awarded an OBE earlier this year for her efforts to increase visibility and comprehension of endometriosis.

Cressy emphasises that public misconception remains a significant barrier. "When I was diagnosed 10 years ago, I was told I was too young and that it was rare," she explains. Medical understanding has shifted: the condition is now recognised as far more common than previously believed, with complications extending beyond menstrual pain to include lung collapse, kidney loss, infertility, and career disruption.