The month of March highlights endometriosis, a gynecological pathology that affects approximately 1.5 million women in France. From March 6 to 12, the European week of prevention and information on endometriosis takes place and on March 25, the world walk for endometriosis takes place. Two opportunities to raise awareness regarding this chronic disease and its many challenges.
Endometriosis, a common but still poorly understood disease
Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological diseasecharacterized by the presence of endometrial cells, outside the uterine cavity. With each menstrual cycle, women suffer from very intense and disabling pelvic pain, sometimes with an impact on their fertility. The causes of this disease are still poorly known and there is no specific treatment capable of curing it.
Still poorly understood by health professionals, endometriosis is a disease that remains difficult to diagnose, with a diagnostic wandering which varies between 7 and 10 years. To explain such a delay in diagnosis, several factors come into play:
- Causes still poorly specified;
- A lack of specific diagnostic examination;
- Variable symptoms with no direct link to the nature of the lesions;
- Very diverse lesions, in nature and location.
Multiple challenges to improve the daily lives of women
Medical teams and researchers are working to improve the daily lives of women with endometriosis on several levels:
- Allow a faster and more accurate diagnosis;
- Better recognize endometriosis at the level of the health system (ALD status, Long-Term Affection), but also within society (recognition in professional life);
- Make everyday life easier women ;
- Develop specific treatments;
- Support women in infertility careendometriosis being recognized as a factor of female infertility.
Patients’ pain is sometimes very debilitating and complicates activities of daily living, both at home and at work. Poorly recognized, sometimes stigmatised, endometriosis is frequently associated with chronic fatiguebut also to anxiety and depressive disorders. Gradually, public health authorities are becoming aware of the issues related to the health of women with endometriosis. This is evidenced by the national strategy to combat endometriosis, launched in 2022.
What place for endometriosis in the workplace?
Recently, an IPSOS poll conducted for the Endometriosis Research Foundation revealed that more than half of French people consider that companies must support women with endometriosis. The survey reveals that endometriosis is increasingly known to the general public, with 83% of French people having already heard of it. The brake that endometriosis can represent in professional life is also well perceived, many French people understanding why women tend not to talk regarding it (fear of being judged, hindrance to their career, lack of reaction, etc.).
Only 4% of survey respondents point out that their company has already carried out awareness campaigns or actions in favor of women with endometriosis. Generally speaking, and quite logically, women are more sensitive to the issue of endometriosis in the workplace than men. Young working people are also more open to these questions, in connection with a greater knowledge of the disease, but also with a different relationship with the company environment. For women with endometriosis, telecommuting is not necessarily the best solution. And personalized and adapted support to their specific situation seems more sought following to enable them to reconcile their career with endometriosis.
Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy
Published on March 29, 2019 by Alexana A, Science Journalist. Updated by Estelle B., Doctor of Pharmacy., March 23, 2023.
Sources
– Endometriosis & work: end of the taboo and start of a new deal? ipsos.com/. Accessed March 20, 2023.
