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Women’s Health Month: why talking about endometriosis matters

Women’s Health Month takes place every May and is an opportunity to raise awareness of the health issues that impact millions of women across the UK. While these conversations should happen all year round, dedicated awareness months help shine a spotlight on topics that are too often overlooked. At Nineteen Group, we recently committed to becoming an Endometriosis Friendly Employer through the workplace scheme led by Endometriosis UK. The scheme helps employers better understand the condition and create supportive workplace environments through education, practical guidance and open conversation.
To mark Women’s Health Month, we sat down with Nineteen’s Endometriosis Champion, Lanna Deamer, to talk about why this matters and what it means for the business.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is when tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside of the womb. Most commonly, it is found in the pelvis around the ovaries, bowel and bladder, but it can also be found elsewhere in the body. In fact, it has been found in every organ. It is often thought of as a period or gynaecological condition, but more is being understood about the wider impact it can have across the whole body. For many people, it is a lifelong condition that can affect every aspect of daily life, from physical health to mental wellbeing, relationships and work.

What does Women’s Health Month mean to you?

Women’s health should be a topic we discuss all year round, not just something we focus on for one month.
That said, awareness months like this are important because they create space for these conversations to happen more openly. They encourage people to learn more, ask questions and help break down the stigma that still surrounds conditions like endometriosis, adenomyosis and related conditions.
The more we keep talking about it, the less likely it is to remain a taboo subject.

What does it mean for Nineteen to become an Endometriosis Friendly Employer?

It means more than words can say. As someone who has personally been on a 14 year journey with endometriosis and adenomyosis, seeing Nineteen commit to becoming an Endometriosis Friendly Employer feels incredibly important. Endometriosis costs the UK economy an estimated £8.2bn every year through healthcare costs, treatment and lost productivity. Around one in six people with the condition leave the workplace altogether because they do not receive the support they need. That is why it is so significant to see Nineteen get behind such an important issue.
Being diagnosed with a lifelong condition should not mean someone has to give up their career. By committing to becoming an Endometriosis Friendly Employer, Nineteen is helping to create a workplace where colleagues feel supported, understood and able to thrive, even if they need a little extra support or understanding along the way.

Why does workplace support matter?

For many people living with endometriosis, symptoms can be unpredictable and invisible to others.
Having an employer that understands this can make all the difference. It helps create a culture where people feel comfortable speaking up, asking for support and knowing they will be listened to rather than judged. Supportive workplaces are not just good for individuals. They are better for businesses too, helping people stay in work and perform at their best.
I’m incredibly thankful to Nineteen Group and Endometriosis UK for creating a platform for these wider conversations. Women’s Health Month is a reminder that awareness is only the first step. Real progress happens when awareness turns into action, and workplaces commit to making meaningful change for the people they support.