New Survey Finds Most Women With Autoimmune Conditions Face Daily Symptom Interference at Work

For millions of women across the United States, the workday looks something like this: a morning meeting through a wave of fatigue, a deadline pushed through joint pain, a presentation delivered despite brain fog so thick it’s hard to find words. No one in the room knows. And that invisibility, it turns out, is part of the burden.

This Autoimmune Awareness Month, WellTheory released striking new survey data in partnership with the Autoimmune Association revealing that 61% of women with autoimmune conditions experience daily or near-daily symptom interference at work. We spoke with Claire Rudolph, co-founder and head of product at WellTheory, about what that number really means, why the workplace gap persists and what it would take to change it.

The survey found that 61% of women with autoimmune conditions deal with symptom interference at work almost every single day. What was it like to see that number, and what do you think it tells us about how invisible this burden really is?

Claire Rudolph: Seeing that number was both validating and heartbreaking at the same time. Many women with autoimmune disease are showing up to work every day while managing symptoms that would make it difficult for anyone to function, yet most of that struggle is completely invisible to the people around them. When more than half of women say symptoms interfere with work daily, it tells us this isn’t occasional disruption, it’s a constant background challenge. The reality is that many women are pushing through pain, fatigue or cognitive fog just to keep up, and because those symptoms aren’t visible, the scale of the burden often goes unrecognized.

Pain, fatigue and brain fog showed up as the top three workplace disrupters in this data. For a woman who’s quietly managing these symptoms while sitting in meetings or hitting deadlines, what do you want her to know — about herself, and about what’s possible?

CR: First, that what she’s doing is incredibly hard, and the fact that she’s still showing up says a lot about her resilience. Pain, fatigue and brain fog can make even simple tasks feel overwhelming, so struggling with them doesn’t mean she’s less capable or less committed to her career. With the right kind of care and support, many women do find ways to reduce symptoms and regain stability in their work lives. No one should have to choose between managing their health and pursuing the career they’ve worked so hard for.

Autoimmune conditions often look like nothing from the outside, even when a woman is struggling significantly. How does that invisibility affect not just performance, but a woman's sense of confidence and belonging at work?

CR: When a condition is invisible, it can create constant tension between what someone is experiencing internally and what others assume is happening. Women may feel pressure to perform as if nothing is wrong, even on days when their symptoms are severe. Over time, that can chip away at confidence and create a sense of isolation, especially if someone worries they won’t be supported if they speak up. It’s not just about productivity. It’s about whether someone feels safe and supported enough to fully participate at work.

This data suggests a significant gap between how women are experiencing their conditions and what their employers likely know. What's one thing you wish more managers and HR teams understood about working with someone who has an autoimmune disease?

CR: I wish more employers understood that autoimmune diseases are often unpredictable and require long-term management, not occasional accommodation. Someone might look perfectly fine one day and be dealing with intense symptoms the next. Flexibility, trust and open communication can make an enormous difference. When managers create an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing health challenges without fear of judgment or lost opportunities, it allows people to stay engaged and productive instead of quietly struggling or eventually leaving the workforce.

We’re seeing more employers recognize this and look for ways to support their employees living with chronic conditions. At WellTheory, we work with employers to give people access to specialized autoimmune care so they can better manage symptoms and stay fully engaged in their work and careers.

You’ve co-founded and led a company while navigating autoimmune disease. What’s the most important shift in mindset or strategy that has helped you sustain your career without sacrificing your health?

CR: The biggest shift was realizing that managing my health had to be treated as a core priority, not something I squeezed in around work. Many of us push through symptoms and try to power past them, but that approach isn’t sustainable. Building routines that support my health, surrounding myself with the right clinical guidance and being honest about my limits ultimately made me a stronger and more effective leader. Taking care of my health isn’t separate from my career, it’s what makes it possible.