Scarlett Clarke, from London, was just 13 when her endometriosis pains started. She recalls passing out, vomiting in severe abdominal pain, and struggling to get through the school day.
“At the time, I had no idea what was wrong,” she said, “I just remember feeling embarrassed because I kept bleeding through my clothes and onto chairs.”
For years, doctors were unsure what was causing her symptoms labelling her as just having “painful periods”.
Credit: Adobe Stock
Scarlett was prescribed medication that failed to ease the pain, instead leaving her exhausted and unable to concentrate on her studies. At its worst, Scarlett says she was bleeding for almost three weeks every month.
It was five years later, at the age of 18, when she finally got her diagnosis of endometriosis and now at 21, she says “having the diagnosis was huge”.
Endometriosis and adenomyosis are conditions in which tissue grows in places it should not, often causing intense and debilitating pain, heavy bleeding and chronic fatigue.
Despite affecting millions of people, diagnosis is frequently delayed, with many sufferers dismissed or misdiagnosed for years.
Scarlett acknowledges she is one of the lucky ones, the average diagnosis time for endometriosis is significantly longer, at around eight years and ten months from first GP visit to diagnosis.
Now a petition is calling for statutory menstrual leave for people living with endometriosis and adenomyosis, following the model introduced in Portugal in 2025. The proposal would allow up to three days of paid leave per month for those with severe symptoms.
The petition was launched by Michelle Dewar, founder of Michelle Dewar Hormone Health and Education, who also lives with endometriosis. Having a 14-year-old daughter herself, she reflected on how difficult her journey was and wanted to implement some change to those struggling.
The petition has now passed 100,000 signatures, meaning parliament must now consider the changes for debate.
In August 2025 the government said it had “no plans to introduce menstrual leave for those with endometriosis or adenomyosis and that employment right reforms will help manage health at work”.
Scarlett believes menstrual leave would be life-changing:
“It would be a lifeline to understand what people with endometriosis are going through.”
Supporters of the petition hope the discussion will help reduce the stigma and bring greater recognition for the millions living with endometriosis.
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HeadlineWorking in Agony: More than 100,000 People Are Calling for Menstrual Leave
Short HeadlineOver 100,000 People Are Calling for Menstrual Leave
Standfirst Petition calls for statutory menstrual leave for people living with endometriosis and adenomyosis
“It completely wipes you out'”
Scarlett Clarke, from London, was just 13 when her endometriosis pains started. She recalls passing out, vomiting in severe abdominal pain, and struggling to get through the school day.
“At the time, I had no idea what was wrong,” she said, “I just remember feeling embarrassed because I kept bleeding through my clothes and onto chairs.”
For years, doctors were unsure what was causing her symptoms labelling her as just having “painful periods”.
Credit: Adobe Stock
Scarlett was prescribed medication that failed to ease the pain, instead leaving her exhausted and unable to concentrate on her studies. At its worst, Scarlett says she was bleeding for almost three weeks every month.
It was five years later, at the age of 18, when she finally got her diagnosis of endometriosis and now at 21, she says “having the diagnosis was huge”.
Endometriosis and adenomyosis are conditions in which tissue grows in places it should not, often causing intense and debilitating pain, heavy bleeding and chronic fatigue.
Despite affecting millions of people, diagnosis is frequently delayed, with many sufferers dismissed or misdiagnosed for years.
Scarlett acknowledges she is one of the lucky ones, the average diagnosis time for endometriosis is significantly longer, at around eight years and ten months from first GP visit to diagnosis.
Now a petition is calling for statutory menstrual leave for people living with endometriosis and adenomyosis, following the model introduced in Portugal in 2025. The proposal would allow up to three days of paid leave per month for those with severe symptoms.
The petition was launched by Michelle Dewar, founder of Michelle Dewar Hormone Health and Education, who also lives with endometriosis. Having a 14-year-old daughter herself, she reflected on how difficult her journey was and wanted to implement some change to those struggling.
The petition has now passed 100,000 signatures, meaning parliament must now consider the changes for debate.
In August 2025 the government said it had “no plans to introduce menstrual leave for those with endometriosis or adenomyosis and that employment right reforms will help manage health at work”.
Scarlett believes menstrual leave would be life-changing:
“It would be a lifeline to understand what people with endometriosis are going through.”
Supporters of the petition hope the discussion will help reduce the stigma and bring greater recognition for the millions living with endometriosis.
