Petition for Paid Leave for Endometriosis and Adenomyosis

A petition calling for statutory paid leave for people living with endometriosis, adenomyosis and severe menstrual conditions has surpassed 50,000 signatures in just over a week, marking a major milestone in the fight for menstrual health rights at work.

The petition, launched by campaigner Michelle Dewar, demands the UK adopt a policy similar to Portugal’s recent law, which allows employees up to three days of paid menstrual leave per month. Dewar’s proposal calls for:

• Paid leave for those with a medical diagnosis

• Protection from workplace discrimination

• Guaranteed confidentiality for employees taking leave

For Dewar, who has lived with endometriosis, adenomyosis and dysmenorrhea since the age of 14, the campaign is deeply personal.

“I’ve lost jobs, missed out on opportunities, and spent years being dismissed or misunderstood,” she shared on Instagram.“I launched this petition because I want change — for every teenager curled up in pain at school, every woman dragging herself to work through cramps that feel like contractions, and every person that’s been told to just get on with it.”

A Call for Urgent Action

Endometriosis UK has echoed the demand for stronger workplace protections, urging the government to include menstrual health action plans in the forthcoming Employment Rights Bill. They also highlighted the shocking reality that people in the UK wait an average of nearly nine years for an endometriosis diagnosis—a delay that leaves many struggling without proper care or support.

Government Response

A government spokesperson acknowledged the challenges faced by those with these conditions, saying:

“We know the difficulty and pain many women with these conditions face and are committed to supporting people with their work-life balance. While we have no plans to introduce menstrual leave, our Employment Rights Bill will help people manage their health and work better as part of our Plan for Change.”

Why It Matters

Endometriosis and adenomyosis affect millions in the UK, often with life-altering symptoms—from chronic pain to infertility. Yet stigma and structural neglect continue to silence sufferers, forcing many to push through agonising symptoms at work without recognition or support.

The surge of support for Dewar’s petition shows the issue can no longer be dismissed as a “private matter.” Menstrual health is a workplace issue, a healthcare issue, and a gender equality issue—and campaigners are making clear that the time for change is now.

Sign the petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/732342