Endometriosis Awareness Month: More needs to be done to support working women, says patient

Annaleise Heffernan was diagnosed with endometriosis last year. She says more needs to be done to support working women living with the condition.

Doctor Jacqueline Brown gynaecologist, Annaliese Heffernan endo warrior, Megan Rootes acting clinical nurse consultant gynaecology. March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Living with endometriosis and maintaining a full-time job is virtually impossible for Annaliese Heffernan.

The 29-year-old Department of Health fleet officer was diagnosed with the chronic condition in September last year after a lifetime of doctors appointments for painful periods.

Living with endometriosis means every day can look different, with the uncertainty exacerbating stress and guilt over the impact on her work performance.

“I can wake up in pain and then you worry about what you had planned for the day, and the stress of letting the team down,” she said.

“If I have a sick day, what does that mean for everyone else?

“And what if later on when I have another surgery, am I going to have the amount (of sick leave) I need?”

Doctor Jacqueline Brown gynaecologist, Annaliese Heffernan endo warrior, Megan Rootes acting clinical nurse consultant gynaecology. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Heffernan has sought accommodations and remedies to manage the pain, which could feel like “barbed wire on fire” or a “stabbing hanging just below the belly”.

But in an in-person role that involves driving and interacting with clients, she said taking a drowsy medication, or accessing her plug-in heat pack was not always an option.

Frustrating, too, has been a lack of workplace understanding and support.

“There are some people that come to me and ask why I have my heat pack, and talk about it like it’s a bad thing,” she said.

“There’s not really any actions that can be put in place to make it so that a person in my position wouldn’t feel guilty about not being able to be here.”

Ms Heffernan’s experience is not uncommon.

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A recent Endometriosis Australia survey found one in six people had lost their jobs due to the condition, while 70 per cent had taken unpaid leave to manage their symptoms.

The organisation said flexible work was the most important factor for improving workplace management of the condition, with the implementation of rest periods, access to counselling and physical aids like ergonomic chairs also important considerations.

In the short term, Ms Heffernan suggested a dedicated break room, fitted with chairs and a bed or “somewhere private to lie back and relax” as a starting point.

She has also investigated breaking up her week with a working from home day.

But she said in a world that often mischaracterised the debilitating impacts of endometriosis as nothing more than “a bad period”, a major attitude shift was needed.

“We need to keep the conversation going,” she said.

“I’m quite fortunate to have financial stability and the accessibility to appointments, but there are people in other situations who are quite limited with the people they can talk to about this stuff.

“That’s really dangerous, so I’m happy to put my foot forward and be the face.”

ENDOMETRIOSIS FACTS:

Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition where cells similar to the endometrium or uterine tissue grow outside of the uterus, in the pelvis, bladder or bowel.

One in seven women are estimated to be diagnosed with the chronic condition by the time they are 49 years old.

“We used to think it only happened to older women but we’re finding now it’s often not the case,” specialist doctor Jackie Brown said.

The only means of diagnosis, which on average takes six and half years, is through laparoscopy – a surgical procedure performed under general anaesthetic.

While ultrasounds can also be used, Dr Brown said they were often ineffective due to a lack of sensitivity.

Symptoms are varied and include fatigue, painful or irregular periods, fertility issues and mental health issues, with the condition often misdiagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome.

Treatment often involves surgery to excise the endometriosis, however it can grow back.

Dr Brown said those experiencing consistently painful periods should consult their general practitioner.

“If it’s enough that it’s causing you pain and impacting your daily life, I think you definitely need to seek help,” she said.

For more information visit endoaustralia.org

Originally published as Endometriosis Awareness Month: More needs to be done to support working women, says patient