A petition calling for the government to introduce statutory menstrual leave for people with endometriosis and adenomyosis has surpassed 60,000 signatures.
The petition calls for three days’ leave per month for people suffering from conditions such as endometriosis (a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb is found in other areas of the body), adenomyosis (a condition where the lining of the womb grows into the muscular wall), and dysmenorrhea (a condition which includes painful menstrual cramps).
Michelle Dewar, who created the petition, was inspired by the Portuguese government, which brought a similar law into effect on 26 April 2025 as a legislative amendment to Portugal’s Labour Codes.
In the petition, Michelle has replicated what is now effective in Portugal. She said that this “tried and tested” formula not only offers protection at work but also the guarantee of confidentiality and non-discrimination.
Michelle describes herself as a feminist and women’s health advocate. After suffering from endometriosis for decades and experiencing the real-world effects of workplace discrimination, Michelle wants to change legislation to protect people with these conditions.
Michelle knows first-hand the impact of endometriosis in life as well as in the workplace, and would regularly suffer from pain so severe that it often impacted the quality of her daily life.
After being hospitalised three months in a row, Michelle recalls a junior doctor finally acknowledging that endometriosis was a possibility. But due to her age, saying if she did have it, it would be early onset stage one endometriosis.
During a further consultation, an examination uncovered a much more severe diagnosis. Michelle had developed stage four endometriosis, including scar tissue being found in her bowel.
At 23-years-old Michelle woke up from surgery, only to be told that she would be going into a ten-month chemical menopause in an attempt to save her reproductive system.
It was made clear that the outcome could have been a full radical hysterectomy at the end of the 10 months.
At the time, Michelle worked with the council and had been assured that funding had been allocated in order to make her position permanent.
But when Michelle told her boss that she would need a number of weeks off work to undergo the operation, there was allegedly no funding available.
“I essentially lost my job. I physically couldn’t be at my work,” Michelle says.
“Because she hadn’t given me the physical written contract, there was nothing I could do.”
Although endometriosis is a full-body disease, Michelle is calling for menstrual leave as it could provide some relief during what can often be the most challenging days.
“At the beginning, it was me and my laptop at home after my hysterectomy.”
“I began the You Would Never Know campaign for endometriosis awareness on Instagram. It grew quickly…I realised people wanted to feel seen and heard after years of dismissal,”
“I was gobsmacked to hear so many stories like mine…the same things are still happening. Women are still being dismissed, discriminated against, and don’t feel like they can advocate for themselves…I get ten stories a day about women feeling discriminated against.”
Michelle said that she wants people to relearn how we deal with menstruation and chronic conditions. She advocates that while menstruation, for many, only occurs once a month, it does not start and stop in that time.
She said: “Endometriosis is a chronic illness which often has a detrimental impact on the physical, emotional and mental health of those affected. Quality of life is reduced all month in many cases. Menstrual leave is not a solution, but it’s a great place to start for those who truly need it.”
Through her You Would Never Know campaign and social media, Michelle has created a safe space for people to connect and share their experiences.
“I found my voice and never stopped, I want other people to feel like that…I get so emotional when I think about those spaces where people feel safe enough to share,”
“We have even facilitated group chats, and women have been able to meet up in person to find support.”
“We’ve created a community for a chronic disease, not just a period.”
Moving forward, Michelle wants the petition to go to debate in Parliament.
She said: “This isn’t just health. It’s a women’s rights issue.”
“I want to see real and lasting change. My hope is that this petition reaching 100,000 signatures won’t just push forward the call for statutory paid menstrual leave, but will also open the door for women to feel empowered to fight for their own bodies, their health, and their future. Every woman deserves to hold that power in her own hands.”
“But the truth is, women shouldn’t have to shout to be heard. We shouldn’t have to fight so hard, over and over, just to have our pain recognised or our needs respected. Yet that is still the world we live in, and that is exactly what must change. Until it does, we will keep raising our voices.”
According to Endometriosis UK, the UK’s leading charity in the field, one in ten people experience the mental and physical impact of endometriosis.
In a press release, the charity said of the petition:
“At Endometriosis UK, we know how difficult it can be for those with menstrual health conditions to have the support they need in the workplace. Introducing three-day statutory menstrual leave would certainly help some of those with diagnosed or suspected menstrual health conditions such an endometriosis and adenomyosis, but we want employers and government to go further and recognise the conditions for the chronic diseases they are, deserving of the same level of workplace support as any other illness, such as diabetes or asthma.”
The petition was launched on 29 July 2025 and will be live until 29 January 2026.
If the petition surpasses 100,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.
