The impact of endometriosis on work and social participation

Abstract

Endometriosis is a debilitating chronic disease that can affect many aspects of everyday life owing to symptoms such as pain and fatigue. This paper reports the findings of a study exploring the impact of symptomatic endometriosis on women's social and working life. The study used a feminist approach. Eighteen women were interviewed and a thematic approach used to analyse the data. The analysis is structured around three themes focusing on issues around disclosure of symptoms in the work place; the impact of symptoms on work, education and social participation; and the strategies used by women in the study to manage endometriosis. A range of health and employment implications are discussed in this paper. In particular, nurses can provide useful support to women by careful assessment and prompt referral for diagnostic procedures and by providing timely and comprehensive information, including information about the lifestyle and nutritional factors recommended by women with endometriosis.

The Impact of Endometriosis Symptoms on Health Related Quality of Life and Work Productivity in Egypt

“…Fourquet et al [16]. also found that women had SF-12 scores denoting statistically significant disability in physical and mental health components, indicating that the women in this study experienced substantial disability and Nnoaham et al [18] found that women with endometriosis had reduced physical health compared with the normative population. Sleeping has also been found to be negatively affected by endometriosis Fourquet.…”

“…Pain is consistently reported as a central and destructive feature of life with endometriosis and several studies report a negative correlation between pain and QoL Sepulcri et al [24], Nnoaham et al [18], Souza et al [25], Tripoli et al [23]. Endometriosis symptoms, and specifically pain, have a detrimental impact on daily life and physical functioning (e.g.…”

“…Whilst some studies reported that endometriosis had affected women's study activity and grades, and had caused some to leave education before completion Huntington et al [20], Gilmour et al [18], others reported that only a minority of women had experienced negative consequences on their education Fagervold et al [26].…”

“…For this reason in recent years, the studies quantifying the costs of endometriosis Nnoaham KE et al [17], Simoens S et al [7] and the impact of the disease on health, work productivity, and daily life activities have increased. Damario MA et al [18], Oehmke F et al [11], Reilly MC et al [14], Fourquet J et al [16]. To quantify the impact of endometriosis-related symptoms in these important aspects of a person's life, we compiled questions from three validated, standardized questionnaires into one instrument.…”

Abordagem Psicológica Na Endometriose: Experiência De Dor E Melhora Na Qualidade De Vida Das Mulheres

“…There are several quantitative studies describing symptoms however, little qualitative research has been conducted (Ballard, Lowton, & Wrigt, 2006;Cox, Henderson, Andersen, Cagliarini, & Ski, 2003;Gylmour, Huntington, & Wilson, 2008). Specifically one focusing on women's pain experience -and much of what exists lacks rigour in key areas (Denny & Khan, 2006).…”