A Hungary-based study measured absenteeism, presenteeism, and work ability and found women with endometriosis lose substantially more work time and income than women without the condition.
Women with endometriosis missed 12.7 hours of work every four weeks on average versus 5.7 hours for women without the condition.
Researchers estimated lost income at €1,757 per year for women with endometriosis in Hungary — roughly one month’s average salary there (~$2,040).
42% of women with endometriosis reported poor work ability compared with 17.9% of women without the condition.
# The finding in plain terms A recent study of working women in Hungary compared 566 women diagnosed with endometriosis to 447 without the condition. Instead of counting only missed days, researchers used validated tools to capture absenteeism (time fully missed), presenteeism (reduced performance while at work), and self-rated work ability.
# What the study measured and found Women with endometriosis missed an average of 12.7 work hours every four weeks due to health problems. Women without endometriosis missed 5.7 hours over the same period. Translated into income, the researchers calculated an annual loss of about €1,757 per woman with endometriosis in Hungary, roughly equal to one month's average salary there (about $2,040 in U.S. dollars). The calculation addresses absenteeism only and does not include lost productivity while present or increased healthcare costs.
Work ability was also affected. The study placed 42% of women with endometriosis in a "poor" work ability category, compared with 17.9% of women without the condition. Women with endometriosis reported significantly more presenteeism, meaning they often showed up but performed below capacity because of pain, fatigue, or other symptoms.
# Why the numbers matter for careers
# Diagnosis delays and implications for employers Endometriosis can take years to diagnose. Women may be managing pain and fatigue at work long before they have an explanation, which makes employer flexibility and health-literate policies more important. Simple changes — flexible scheduling, remote options, and education for supervisors — can reduce the immediate work disruption and the longer-term financial consequences for affected employees.
# Bottom line Endometriosis affects roughly 1 in 10 women of reproductive age and, according to this study, is associated with measurable losses in work hours, reduced work ability, and an estimated annual income loss equivalent to about one month's salary in Hungary. The study highlights practical workplace changes employees request and points to employer-level adjustments that could reduce absenteeism and preserve career progression for people living with the condition.
The endometriosis burden we don't talk about enough
For years, women with severe period pain have been told some version of the same thing: cramps are normal, periods hurt, take some ibuprofen and get on with your day. But for millions of women, the pain isn’t simply an unpleasant part of menstruation. It may be endometriosis, a chronic condition that can affect far mor
People can wait a decade or more after the onset of symptoms to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis. The painful condition afflicts 1 in 10 women worldwide.
People can wait a decade or more after the onset of symptoms to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis. The painful condition afflicts 1 in 10 women worldwide.
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