This week, as part of National Women’s Health Week, Evidation and Myovant Sciences are sharing results from a survey exploring the lived experiences of individuals with endometriosis and/or uterine fibroids. Endometriosis and uterine fibroids are common and can seriously impact quality of life— therefore, a deep, real world understanding of the experiences of individuals with these conditions is especially important.
The problem
It is estimated that 19 million people in the United States suffer from uterine fibroids1,2,3, and approximately 7.5 million premenopausal individuals suffer from endometriosis4,5,6. Endometriosis and uterine fibroids are more than just a bad period. They can cause severe pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and infertility. These symptoms can affect an individual’s ability to work, attend school, and participate in activities of daily living. Yet in the United States menstrual leave, paid or otherwise, or special accommodations for these conditions, are not the norm.
The survey
With the goal of better understanding experiences of women and individuals with these conditions, Myovant and Evidation conducted a survey on the Evidation platform from a self-selected sample of 9,948 individuals who identified as being female at birth, were aged 18-50, and did not have a diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, premature ovarian failure, ovarian cancer, or uterine cancer. The survey covered four areas, including demographics, menstrual history and health, experiences at work or school, and experiences with medical providers. Evidation also gave survey participants the option to share their activity data (step count).
Findings related to work, school, and activities of daily living
The survey notably found negative impacts on individuals with endometriosis and uterine fibroids across multiple dimensions, especially with regard to their experiences at work and school and activities of daily living.
No statistical comparison was planned in the analysis of survey results or wearable data; statistics presented are descriptive.
Participation and absenteeism at work or school
- Of those surveyed, 31% of individuals with endometriosis and 18% of individuals with uterine fibroids have considered quitting work or school because of menstrual symptoms, while 16% of individuals without a diagnosis report the same
- Of those surveyed, 34% of individuals who were diagnosed with endometriosis and/or uterine fibroids missed work with at least every 3 menstrual cycles due to symptoms, while 21% of individuals without a diagnosis report the same
- During the last cycle they missed work or school due to symptoms, 41% of respondents with endometriosis and/or uterine fibroids report missing more than a full day (9 or more hours); 31% of individuals without a diagnosis reported missing an equivalent amount of work or school
Activities of daily living
- 21% of respondents with endometriosis and/or uterine fibroids report being unable to complete daily tasks outside of work during every menstrual cycle, which can add up to approximately 3 months of the year; 12% of respondents without a diagnosis report the same
Stress
- 16% of people with endometriosis and/or uterine fibroids report that menstrual symptoms have an extreme impact on their work- or school-related stress, while only 10% of individuals without a diagnosis report the same
Daily step count
- Controlling for age and race, diagnosis of endometriosis and/or uterine fibroids was associated with taking fewer daily steps, of those who consented to sharing their wearables data and compared to those who did not have a diagnosis
The survey results highlight the negative impacts of these conditions, underscoring the need for conversations and accommodations that advance equity for these populations, including at work and at school. These survey results mark the second joint research effort conducted by Myovant and Evidation following the “State of the Cycle” survey published in 2019.
In line with making workplaces better for people with endometriosis and uterine fibroids, Myovant is a sponsor of the Fibroid Foundation’s “Workplace Reset” program and the inaugural member of the Menstrual Equity Workplace Champion program launched in 2022 by PERIOD., a global menstrual equity non-profit organization. Myovant also offers several resources for individuals including the 2023 Uterine Health Guide7, an education and support platform designed to help people better understand their own menstrual health.
1 Marsh EE, et al. J WomensHealth (Larchmt). 2018;27:1359-1367.
2 Age and Sex Composition: 2010. United States Census Bureau. May 2011.
3 Stewart EA, et al. BJOG. 2017;124:1501-1512.
4 US census 2019 (table 1; approx. 75 million women in the US ages 15-49). Available online at
https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=United%20States&t=Age%20and%20Sex
5 Shafrir. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol. 2018 Aug;51:1-15
6 Fuldeore Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2017;82:453-461
7 The 2023 Uterine Health Guide was developed by Myovant Sciences Ltd. and Pfizer Inc.