Friday March 27, 2026, the inter-company workplace prevention and health service (SMTI 82) is offering a free conference cycle open to all, in Montauban, as part of International Endometriosis Day. An illness that has major repercussions at work, in particular.
It is an invisible pathology, often painful, long taboo. As part of International Endometriosis Day, March 28, the inter-company workplace health service of Tarn-et-Garonne (SMTI 82) is organizing a series of conferences* free and open to all, on Friday March 27, 2026. Last year, for the first edition of the operation, nearly 150 people made the trip. Dr Gwénaëlle Iarmarcovai explains the challenges of such an event.
What is endometriosis?
The endometrium is a tissue that changes according to a woman’s menstrual cycle. It flakes during menstruation. But it is a diffuse tissue that can reach as far as the diaphragm. It then creates adhesions and then inflammatory reactions because the body detects that it is not in its place, as with any foreign body. But the pain is specific to each woman and above all, it is not linked to the severity of endometriosis.
How does this pathology manifest?
It affects one in ten women of childbearing age. The same rate as cancer or diabetes. Sometimes we have pain while urinating, during sexual intercourse and endometriosis can lead to infertility. The nodules turn into cysts then into adhesions and fibrosis, which can explain why the stomach hardens and hurts. It is often pain that guides the intervention. This is never a life-threatening emergency but it is a very invasive surgery.
How do you know if you are developing endometriosis?
For a long time, endometriosis was trivialized and even today, it is estimated that there are 7 years of medical wandering before being given the right diagnosis. Hence the importance of a good care pathway with MRI and reading from a seasoned professional. Our goal is to ensure that women are well guided and well supported.
Which also explains why the professionals you called on are all from the region…
Yes. The gynecologists Frédérique Renouvel and Carlo Arrellano, come from the Montauban CH and besides, it’s very good that there is a man… We can also count on the intervention of Charlène Dezou, who is a sexologist and psychologist. Without of course forgetting the presence of EndoFrance, the national patients’ association whose godmother is Laëtitia Milot, the actress in the series Plus belle la vie. I would like to point out that at the end of the morning, a raffle will be offered with books to be won, including those by Laëtitia Milot who was affected by the illness.
Beyond the event of March 27, what role does occupational medicine play in the fight against endometriosis?
It is important to have your pathology recognized as a disabled worker. This makes it possible, for example, to request teleworking when periods are heavy and painful. I am a lady who works as a heavy goods vehicle driver and for her, endometriosis has a big impact on her work. Homelessness, lack of access to toilets… I’m also thinking of carrying loads or all these jobs while standing. As occupational physicians, we can support professionals in retraining. Our role is to guide them and during visits, we have more time than a general practitioner. We see apprentices from the age of 16 so we can also play a role in early detection since tests exist. Even some male employees ask us questions for their teenagers.
Do you report a lot of inabilities related to this disease?
For my part, I monitor 13,000 employees and on average, 200 of them are subject to incapacity each year, including two because of endometriosis.
Are we talking about it more than before?
Yes, clearly. For a long time, endometriosis was a bit taboo but younger generations are more liberated.
*Meet from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the SMTI 82 auditorium, at 80 avenue Gambetta, in Montauban. Free and free entry. To find out about the network of professionals in your region: www.endofrance.org and www.endoccitanie.fr