There is a secret condition which is leading to one in six leaving the workforce.
It’s something that is rarely spoken about, one that some healthcare professionals have not even heard of. Yet, 1.5 million people in the UK suffer from it.
There is so much that we don’t know about endometriosis; years of chronic under-funding will do that. However, what we do know is that an estimated one in 10 women in the UK suffer from this condition. That’s similar to the number of women who suffer from diabetes or asthma, yet endometriosis is still only known in smaller circles.
The stories from those who have endometriosis, of the regular and often debilitating pain, the dismissal of their lived experiences and the mental load of knowing that their future could be filled with surgeries, are at the heart of the work that we do at Hanover. This is a condition which can be a minor part of someone’s life or all encompassing. It is something that many women live with for years before learning that the pain they are feeling is not normal.
For International Woman’s Day, the Hanover Health and Digital teams supported Over the Bloody Moon and Endometriosis UK in raising awareness of the isolating effects of endometriosis. Allowing commuters, and a few familiar faces, to try the Crampsta – a device which mimics the symptoms of mild endometriosis – to build empathy around the reasonable adjustments that sufferers may need in the workplace. The commuters were invited to ‘Tap In’ by taking part in typical daily tasks whilst wearing the Crampsta and ‘Tap Out’ when the pain got to be too much for them.
Jordan Banjo tried on the Crampsta machine and commented: “Consider empathy and understanding through the roof”
Alongside Jordan Banjo – radio host, podcaster and member of dance group Diversity – we were joined by Lacey Martin, MAFS 2024 and Gwen Crabb, Welsh Rugby Union Player, who both suffer with endometriosis. Gwen and I spoke at King’s Cross about how the allyship from male team members is so important. Although her workplace may look different to mine: with shifts being on the pitch rather than behind a desk, the importance of her leadership team truly being able to understand her experience is vital.
Working with influencers is central to how we approach campaigns like this. Influencers don’t just amplify a message – they humanise it, extend it into new communities and spark conversations that traditional channels alone cannot. By partnering with trusted voices such as Jordan Banjo, alongside influencers like Lacey Martin and Gwen Crabb who speak from lived experience, we ensure campaigns are rooted in both authenticity and reach. Their platforms allow health issues to be discussed openly and at scale, while their personal stories create deeper emotional connection and credibility. Our role was to find the creative hook, to identify the right voices, align them with clear strategic objectives, and create meaningful moments that translate awareness into understanding and, ultimately, action.
On Monday, Endometriosis UK revealed that it now takes on average nine years and four months for a diagnosis, an increase of 1.3 years since 2020. It’s disappointing to see the stopwatch for diagnosis is ticking up rather than down. The survey found that of the 55% who attended A&E with their symptoms, 46% were sent home without treatment.
The condition comes with dismissal and misunderstanding as a secondary symptom, with women reporting feeling spoken down to by their doctors and unsupported by their workplaces. Sanju Pal, for example, is a woman who recently won her unfair dismissal case after she was let go for missing performance targets due to the time she took off around her surgery to remove two large cysts from her ovaries. This has set a precedent for better workplace treatment which cannot be ignored.
The condition has also been thrust into the limelight; with the BAFTAs awarding This is Endometriosis the award for best short film. The 20-minute film, which you can watch on YouTube, shows an unflinching look at the personal and medical experience of women with endometriosis.
Over the Bloody Moon has a huge task ahead of them, but one that founder Lesley Salem is gladly taking on. She is building empathy by bringing her Crampsta devices into the workplace. By doing this, they are saying the quiet part out loud and telling anyone who will listen about this ‘secret’ condition, so that the 1.5 million sufferers in the UK are finally understood.
