The impact of reproductive health needs on women’s employment: a qualitative insight into managing endometriosis and work
Abstract 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 a...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Women's Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03726-y |
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| author | Tom Hvala Karin Hammarberg |
| author_facet | Tom Hvala Karin Hammarberg |
| author_sort | Tom Hvala |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b11647d853584b978115feef3edd435f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1472-6874 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Women's Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-b11647d853584b978115feef3edd435f2025-08-20T03:09:19ZengBMCBMC Women's Health1472-68742025-05-0125111010.1186/s12905-025-03726-yThe impact of reproductive health needs on women’s employment: a qualitative insight into managing endometriosis and workTom Hvala0Karin Hammarberg1Research Affiliate, Global and Women’s Health Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash UniversityGlobal and Women’s Health Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash UniversityAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03726-yEndometriosisFertilityIVFWorkplaceEmployment |
| spellingShingle | Tom Hvala Karin Hammarberg The impact of reproductive health needs on women’s employment: a qualitative insight into managing endometriosis and work BMC Women's Health Endometriosis Fertility IVF Workplace Employment |
| title | The impact of reproductive health needs on women’s employment: a qualitative insight into managing endometriosis and work |
| title_full | The impact of reproductive health needs on women’s employment: a qualitative insight into managing endometriosis and work |
| title_fullStr | The impact of reproductive health needs on women’s employment: a qualitative insight into managing endometriosis and work |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of reproductive health needs on women’s employment: a qualitative insight into managing endometriosis and work |
| title_short | The impact of reproductive health needs on women’s employment: a qualitative insight into managing endometriosis and work |
| title_sort | impact of reproductive health needs on women s employment a qualitative insight into managing endometriosis and work |
| topic | Endometriosis Fertility IVF Workplace Employment |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-025-03726-y |
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