Mariam, 36 from Manchester, shares her experience of living and working in the automotive industry while battling Endometriosis. She highlights the physical and emotional toll of the condition and the importance of understanding and support at work.

Article written by Mariam Aslam-Digger, Founder of Offtype

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a chronic gynaecological condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the uterus – on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, bowel, and other organs. It causes debilitating pain, heavy bleeding, fatigue, and can lead to infertility.

But a definition in no way explains the far-reaching effects this disease can have on women.

It doesn't explain the emergency room visits in the middle of the night. The surgeries. The temporary menopause at 19. The years of uncertainty about what it means for you, your life, your fertility. The shame of feeling like your body is failing you. It doesn't explain what it's like to get up, get dressed, and get on with it every single day – whilst your body wages war against you.

I was lucky. Twice over.

The first bit of luck was going to university in a city with a specialist women's hospital. After numerous blue light visits to A&E, I was referred to a consultant at Liverpool Women's Hospital. I had a cyst the size of an orange that needed removing, but exploratory surgery would also outline the cause of my pain.

I came out of surgery with devastating news: my right fallopian tube had to be removed due to damage from the cyst. I had Stage 4 deep infiltrating endometriosis on my bladder, bowel, and back. A diagnosis, yes. But no idea what it meant for my life.

Following surgery, it was recommended that I be placed into temporary menopause. At 19 years old, I aged. It was physically gruelling, and emotionally – well I withdrew from most things. It was one of the most isolating years of my life.

The second stroke of luck was a GP who was diagnosed with endometriosis herself, and ensured I got the right help. When I eventually moved back home at 21, my endometriosis had returned with a vengeance. This GP didn't dismiss it. Didn't dismiss the pain. By 21, I was faced with the prospect of having a second surgery – and the realisation that there was no cure, no long-term respite, and that any treatments were likely to help only in the short term.

Finding strength in the automotive sector

What I've found is that endometriosis made me extremely resilient, but it also made me push myself more than most. I didn't want to seem weak. I got up, got dressed, and got on every single day.

As I started my first role in the automotive sector at 21, I got lucky a third time. A predominantly female management team who were supportive in ways I can't even explain. They created an environment where I could be honest about my struggles without fear of judgment. Where flexibility wasn't seen as special treatment, but as basic human dignity.

But most women don't get lucky.

The harsh reality: the statistics

• 1 in 10 women are diagnosed with endometriosis in the UK. That's approximately 1.5 million women; a similar number to those affected by diabetes.
• 8 years and 10 months is the current average time from first GP visit to diagnosis in the UK – and this has worsened by 10 months since 2020.
• 47% of women visited their GP 10 or more times with symptoms before receiving a diagnosis.
• 30-50% of women with endometriosis experience infertility.
• £8.2 billion is lost to the UK economy each year due to endometriosis – in treatment costs, healthcare, and lost work.
• There is no cure. Treatments manage symptoms, but this is a lifelong condition.

Behind every single one of these statistics is a woman who has been dismissed, ignored, and belittled. Women told their pain is 'just bad periods.' Women sent home from A&E with paracetamol. Women who've lost jobs, relationships, and years of their lives to a disease that's treated as an inconvenience rather than the serious condition it is.

What you might not see

The colleague who seems fine? She might have been in agony all morning but came to work anyway because she's already used her 'sick days' this month.

The woman who's always professional and put-together? She might have cried in the toilets during lunch because the pain was so intense she couldn't think straight.

The team member who never complains. She might be dealing with the emotional devastation of being told she might never have children whilst trying to meet her quarterly targets.

Endometriosis is invisible. The struggle is invisible. But the impact is very, very real.

If this sounds familiar: what to do

Trust yourself. If your periods are affecting your quality of life, if the pain stops you from doing normal activities, if you're exhausted beyond what seems reasonable – that's not normal, and you deserve help.

Keep a symptom diary. Document your pain levels, when they occur, how they affect your daily life. This evidence is crucial when speaking to healthcare professionals.

Don't give up. If your GP dismisses your concerns, see a different doctor. Request a referral to a gynaecologist. You know your body – advocate for yourself.

Seek specialist care. Look for endometriosis specialist centres or consultants with expertise in the condition. The quality of care can make a profound difference.

Remember: early diagnosis matters. Left untreated, endometriosis can progress, leading to worsening symptoms, organ damage, and potential fertility issues.

If you work or have worked in the UK automotive industry, Ben is here for you and your family. Their support is free and confidential, and they understand the unique pressures of working in our sector.

Support from Ben

• Call Ben's free and confidential helpline: 08081 311 333 (Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm)
• You can also chat with their trained advisors online at ben.org.uk or request a callback at a time that suits you.
• Mental health support: Living with chronic pain and uncertainty takes a toll. Ben offers counselling, access to SilverCloud (a digital mental health platform), and talking therapies. You don't have to carry this alone. Visit ben.org.uk/silvercloud or get in touch with Ben at www.ben.org.uk/gethelp.
• Financial support: Medical appointments, treatments, and time off work can create financial strain. Ben can provide practical assistance and connect you with resources.
• Workplace support: Ben works with automotive employers to improve health and wellbeing support, and they're launching a Women's Health Awareness training course in 2026.
• Life Coaching: Working with qualified coaches to help you navigate challenges, rebuild confidence, and set goals despite the obstacles endometriosis creates.

A message to employers and colleagues

Endometriosis is not 'just women's problems.' It's a serious medical condition that deserves understanding and accommodation.

Flexible working arrangements can be life changing. The ability to work from home on bad days, to adjust hours around medical appointments, to take breaks when pain is severe – these aren't special favours. They're basic accommodations that allow talented, dedicated women to continue contributing.

Create a culture where women feel safe disclosing their health conditions without fear of being seen as weak or unreliable. Some of the most resilient people I know are women with endometriosis who show up and perform at high levels despite being in constant pain.

Listen when someone tells you they're struggling. Believe them. Support them.

Why I'm sharing this

For years, I kept my endometriosis private. I was afraid of being judged, of being seen as less capable, of not being taken seriously in a male-dominated industry. But silence perpetuates the problem.

If my story helps even one woman recognise her symptoms and seek help sooner, it's worth it.

If it helps one employer understand why flexibility matters, it's worth it.

If it helps one colleague look beyond the surface and offer support to someone who's struggling in silence, it's worth it.

Endometriosis made me resilient. It taught me to advocate for myself. It showed me the importance of supportive workplaces and compassionate leadership. But no woman should have to wait nearly nine years for a diagnosis. No woman should have to choose between her health and her career. No woman should have to suffer in silence.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Let's use it to start conversations, break down stigma, and ensure every woman in our industry knows she doesn't have to face this alone.

Additional support and resources:

• Endometriosis UK: www.endometriosis-uk.org
• NHS Endometriosis Information: www.nhs.uk/conditions/endometriosis

 

Here for you

If you work or have worked in automotive and you're struggling with this or anything else - we've got your back. Don't suffer in silence, chat with us online, or call our free and confidential helpline on 08081 311 333 (Mon- Fri 8am - 8pm).

You can also sign up to receive tips, advice & tools to your inbox: www.ben.org.uk/signup.