Introduce Statutory Menstrual Leave for People with Endometriosis & Adenomyosis
109,025 people signed this petition to the UK Parliament after it opened on 29 July 2025; it closed on 29 January 2026. The Government responded on 20 August 2025. MPs debated it in Westminster Hall on 13 April 2026.
The petition
The petition's creator is not named in the Petitions site's published record. Quoted in full from the UK Parliament petitions site.
Introduce Statutory Menstrual Leave for People with Endometriosis & Adenomyosis
We call on the UK Government to introduce statutory paid menstrual leave of up to 3 days per month for people with conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis, following the model introduced in Portugal in 2025.
We urge the UK Government to implement a statutory menstrual leave policy similar to the one recently passed in Portugal.
• Provide up to 3 days of paid menstrual leave per month for individuals with a valid medical diagnosis
• Require only a single annual medical certificate confirming the condition
• Ensure full employment protections, including no loss of pay, benefits or seniority
• Guarantee confidentiality and non-discrimination in the workplace
The Government's response
The Government published its response on 20 August 2025; the petitions site lists the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade as responsible. Its summary:
The Government has no plans to introduce menstrual leave for those with endometriosis or adenomyosis. We know the hardship they cause. Our employment rights reforms will help manage health at work.
The opening 338 words of the 551-word response:
We recognise the difficulty and pain many women with endometriosis, adenomyosis and other menstrual or reproductive health issues face. We understand that for some women, menstrual or reproductive health issues can have a significant impact on their physical and mental wellbeing, including their participation in education and the workforce.
The Government takes women’s health issues very seriously, and we are committed to tackling them and supporting women to balance work with wider life circumstances.
The Equality Act 2010 defines disability as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. ‘Long-term’ is described as having lasted or likely to last for at least 12 months, or likely to last for the rest of a person’s life. ‘Substantial’ is defined as more than minor or trivial. Endometriosis and adenomyosis can classify as disabilities under this definition, and individuals with a disability are protected from discrimination and their employer is required to make reasonable adjustments.
Reasonable adjustments can include useful changes such as phased returns to work, part-time working or flexible hours. These adjustments ensure that disabled employees are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to their non-disabled colleagues. Therefore, the Government has no plans to introduce statutory menstrual leave for people with endometriosis and adenomyosis.
However, we are taking steps to support the wellbeing and positive work-life balance of all workers, including those suffering from both conditions.
If an individual’s symptoms result in them being unable to work, they may be entitled to receive Statutory Sick Pay. The landmark Employment Rights Bill boosts access to this by making Statutory Sick Pay available to all eligible employees and payable from the first day of sickness absence.
The Bill will also make flexible working the default except where not reasonably feasible. This will help workers with menstrual or reproductive health issues and their employers to agree solutions which work for both parties, ensuring they can access greater flexibility to balance their work and manage their condition.
Read the full response on the petitions site.
Where the signatures came from
Signatures came from 650 constituencies. Measured against each constituency's electorate at the 2024 general election, the most came from Lewisham North, with 4.6 signatures per 1,000 electors (344 in all).
108,662 of the signatures were from the UK and 363 from elsewhere, by the location signers gave.
| Constituency | Signatures | Electorate, July 2024 | Per 1,000 electors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewisham North | 344 | 74,205 | 4.6 |
| Liverpool Riverside | 305 | 71,380 | 4.3 |
| Manchester Central | 368 | 85,204 | 4.3 |
| Croydon West | 325 | 77,891 | 4.2 |
| Belfast West | 307 | 75,346 | 4.1 |
| Brighton Pavilion | 308 | 74,786 | 4.1 |
| Bristol Central | 258 | 62,735 | 4.1 |
| Salford | 345 | 83,633 | 4.1 |
| Belfast South and Mid Down | 298 | 74,749 | 4.0 |
| Clapham and Brixton Hill | 298 | 74,159 | 4.0 |
| Region | Signatures |
|---|---|
| London | 16,337 |
| South East | 14,198 |
| North West | 13,145 |
| East of England | 10,290 |
| West Midlands | 9,032 |
| Scotland | 8,791 |
| South West | 8,395 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 7,439 |
| East Midlands | 6,862 |
| Wales | 6,207 |
| Northern Ireland | 3,642 |
| North East | 3,524 |
Debate in Parliament
MPs debated the petition in Westminster Hall on 13 April 2026. Read the debate in Hansard. House of Commons Library debate pack.
Source and receipt
- https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/732342.jsonUK Parliament Petitions API · read 2026-10-15 · SHA-256
527e5a53259cfd3a… - The petition on petition.parliament.uk
The petition's words are its creator's and the response is the Government's; this site quotes both and gives no view on either. Signature counts can still change while a petition is open. To report an error, send a correction request.