Endometriosis, the sensitivity of the Municipality of Sassari: Municipality employees will be able to ask for a few days of flexible working.

Employees of the Municipality of Sassari with endometriosis will be able to request a few days of flexible working. In the month of awareness of this pathology, the municipal administration has decided to start the process of modifying the regulation on agile working and introduce, among the cases that take on a priority nature, the certification of this pathology. According to a study by SWG (a company expert in research and surveys), for almost 8 out of 10 women (76%) endometriosis affects psychological and emotional stability, work performance (61%), career opportunities (47%) and on relationships with colleagues (41%).

«As a doctor I know the disease well and its consequences, including social ones, for those who suffer from it – explains mayor Nanni Campus who gave input to the offices to modify the regulation –. The choice to introduce it among the parameters to have priority in being able to work from home has multiple reasons: it makes it easier for the employee, who will be able to organize her own activities, without having to be absent due to illness; it also makes her feel less alone and misunderstood, which is one of the serious problems that accompanies endometriosis, often leading women to depression and finally it is a way to keep attention high on this pathology, which has been unknown for too long. It's important that we talk about it."

«While waiting for national legislation – concludes the mayor – the Municipality of Sassari wanted to give a signal, with the hope that other bodies and institutions will also follow our example».

In recent years there have been numerous initiatives carried out by the Administration to raise community awareness on the topic: by the symbolic lighting of the Doge's Palace (before the serious energy crisis which caused an increase in the cost of electricity), to more concrete actions, such as publication of material on the pathology on the institutional website and granting patronage for information stands and conferences with experts.

Also this year the Municipality of Sassari has joined the call to action proposed by the association Lotta Italiana for Awareness on Endometriosis (Alice Odv) "Let's shed light on endometriosis" by publishing information material on its website www.comune.sassari.it on the pathology.

What is endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a subtle, disabling disease, almost unknown to most people and among the most widespread chronic pathologies, with one in ten women of childbearing age suffering from it. It affects female identity from an individual, relational, sexual, social and psychological point of view. According to what was published on the website www.salute.gov.it in Italy, 10-15 percent of women of reproductive age are affected by endometriosis, but the percentage is probably much higher; the condition affects approximately 30-50 percent of women who are infertile or have difficulty conceiving. The peak occurs between the ages of 25 and 35, but the pathology can also appear at a very young age. Some cells of the uterine mucosa implant outside the uterus in other organs such as ovaries, tubes, vagina, but also intestine, bladder, peritoneum, and in some cases even lungs. Stimulated by the hormones of the menstrual cycle, they grow and cause internal bleeding, chronic inflammation, scar tissue, adhesions.

Pain invisible on the outside but real, with 40 percent of cases leading to infertility. Symptoms include severe abdominal pain, not only during menstruation, chronic fatigue, nausea, constipation or diarrhea, pain during sexual intercourse, headache and in some cases hyperthermia (increase in body temperature). Alongside these symptoms, there is the perception that the woman has of the reactions of those around her: from work to family, from acquaintances to friends, she is often seen as a person who exaggerates in describing her state of malaise her. Raising awareness and informing young people about this pathology can lead to an early diagnosis, the only way to stop the degeneration of the pathology.