Managing Uterine Health Conditions at Work

1 in 4 people who menstruate in the U.S. deal with period problems so bad they affect quality of life — including at work.

Many of them are dealing with uterine health conditions, such as:

• Fibroids, non-cancerous growths in the muscle wall of the uterus, affect about 8 in 10 women at some point in their lives

• Endometriosis, when tissue similar to your uterine lining grows outside your uterus and gets stuck to other organs, affects more than 1 in 10 women 

In addition to pain, these conditions can cause many other symptoms that can interfere with work. They include:

• Heavy bleeding

• Anemia caused by blood loss

• Nausea 

• Stomachaches

• Increased need to pee

• Diarrhea, constipation and other GI issues

What is a “normal” period, anyway?

Your period is considered heavy if:

• It lasts 7 days or longer (not including spotting)

• You lose more than ⅓ cup of blood during your period

• You have to change your pad or tampon more than once every hour

• You pass clots the size of a quarter or larger 

You deserve workplace support

All of these symptoms can be embarrassing, especially in a workplace environment. But they’re common if you have a uterine health condition.

While you’re figuring out how best to manage your condition with your healthcare provider, ask for accommodations at work such as:

• Flexible work schedules/arrangements (working from home, etc.)

• Health benefits that help cover the cost of treatments 

• Changes to uniforms (darker colors, etc.)

• Free menstrual health products (pads, tampons, period panties, etc.)

• More bathroom breaks 

• Paid time off when needed

• Access to mental health services 

Other kinds of help are available, too. Talk to your healthcare provider about treatments and options to help you manage your condition. 

This resource was created with support from Sumitomo Pharma, a HealthyWomen Corporate Advisory Council member.