Systemic Medical Dismissals Forcing Female Employees to Normalise Debilitating Symptoms
A groundbreaking workplace health report has exposed a disturbing trend of female employees being told their fatigue, anxiety and pain are simply "part of being a woman," with two-thirds of those receiving such dismissals eventually obtaining new clinical diagnoses. The comprehensive study, drawing from reproductive health data of nearly 530,000 women, reveals how systemic medical minimisation is directly impacting women's careers and workplace participation.
Alarming Statistics on Undiagnosed Conditions
According to Hertility's 2026 Workplace Report, 64 percent of female employees reported an average of five concurrent symptoms each, ranging from persistent fatigue and anxiety to brain fog, low mood and various pain manifestations. Shockingly, more than one-third (37 percent) of the total screened workforce had at least one hormone level outside normal ranges, directly affecting mood regulation, metabolic function and cognitive performance.
The diagnoses uncovered through proper screening included:
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Various thyroid disorders
- Multiple pelvic health issues
- Undiagnosed iron deficiency anaemia
Chronic Fatigue as Primary Workplace Barrier
The report identifies chronic fatigue as the most significant workplace obstacle for female employees, with 51.6 percent citing it as their primary barrier to optimal performance. Nearly one in three women (31.5 percent) are living with symptoms indicative of undiagnosed iron deficiency anaemia, a treatable condition associated with cognitive dysfunction and profound exhaustion that often stems from heavy menstrual bleeding, pregnancy or stomach ulcers.
"For too long, women have been told their symptoms are normal, emotional or just part of life," stated Deirdre O'Neill, co-founder of Hertility. "That narrative has allowed clinical gaps to persist for decades. The data now makes one thing clear: unmanaged biology is costing businesses talent. If we want healthier teams and sustainable growth, we need to stop minimising symptoms and start diagnosing them."
Personal Accounts of Medical Gaslighting
Georgia Butler, 38, shared her harrowing journey of being "gaslit by medical professionals" while enduring debilitating symptoms that ultimately forced her to change careers entirely. Struggling with extreme period pain since age ten, Butler described being legally unable to leave her nursery workplace position despite being in agony, eventually developing what she called a "bad reputation" from excessive absences.
Butler was eventually diagnosed with:
- Extensive endometriosis
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Adenomyosis
"No one should have to wait over two decades to be heard," Butler emphasised. "It shouldn't be a 'tick-box' exercise in businesses, it should be a fundamental part of workplace culture to enable women to take control of their health at an early stage."
Insurance Gaps and Healthcare System Challenges
Despite private medical insurance being the most popular workplace health benefit, with admissions reaching record highs in 2025, most traditional policies structurally exclude or severely limit coverage for hormonal, maternal and reproductive health concerns. Insurers frequently categorise these conditions as chronic or elective, forcing women to navigate an NHS gynaecology backlog exceeding 750,000 people.
This coverage gap allows conditions to escalate untreated, with symptoms becoming increasingly disruptive and ultimately forcing long-term sick leave or preventable early exits from the workforce. The report warns that without proactive, accessible care, these health issues inevitably worsen, creating unnecessary career disruptions and talent loss for businesses.
Systemic Change and NHS Response
The NHS has acknowledged the problem, with a spokesperson stating: "Too often we hear of women struggling to access care or seeing their health concerns dismissed, and the NHS is actively addressing this through education and training of staff and improving services."
Initiatives include establishing women's health clinics in local communities to supplement existing GP services, providing thousands more women with specialist support closer to their homes. These community services aim to improve care experiences while speeding up diagnosis and treatment, with plans for further expansion through neighbourhood health services as part of the NHS 10 Year Health Plan.
O'Neill concluded: "We are changing the narrative that undermines our pain and treats our health as just 'women's issues.' To do that, we need full support from individuals, businesses, insurers, and governments alike." The report serves as a urgent call to action for comprehensive workplace health reforms that properly address women's biological needs rather than dismissing them as inevitable aspects of womanhood.
