The Scottish Sun Online has launched an ambitious new campaign, Endo Period Stigma.

It has teamed up with Endometriosis UK to raise awareness of endometriosis, a chronic and debilitating condition that causes painful periods and affects an estimated one in ten women in the UK.

The campaign will run on The Scottish Sun website until March 2020 – Endometriosis Awareness Month – and will tell the stories of women living with endo.

News Scotland, which includes The Scottish Sun, The Times Scotland and The Sunday Times Scotland, is also delighted to announce it has become the second official Endometriosis Friendly Employer in the UK.

To coincide with this, the campaign will also work to encourage businesses across the country to join Endometriosis UK’s Endometriosis Friendly Employer Scheme.

Scottish Sun head of Digital, James McIvor, said: “I am delighted that News Scotland is now an Endometriosis Friendly Employer.

“We hope our campaign raises awareness of the condition, offers comfort and encouragement to the one in ten women who suffer from it, gives bosses the tools to support colleagues and encourages other businesses to sign up.”

Emma Cox, chief executive of Endometriosis UK, said: “Ten per cent of women have endometriosis. With an average time to diagnosis of 7.5 years and a cost of £8.2 billion per year to the UK economy in terms of lost work, treatment and healthcare costs, the potential impact on work and employment is clear.

“We are delighted to be working with News Scotland and The Scottish Sun Online to encourage businesses to become Endometriosis Friendly Employers and support those with the disease thrive at work.

“The scheme enables employers to work towards improving support for those with this chronic, long-term condition. Employers who sign up will be helping break the taboo and stigma around endometriosis and menstrual conditions, and developing work environments where all staff are comfortable talking about possible practical adjustments that could be of benefit.

“A big thank you to The Scottish Sun Online and News Scotland for championing and supporting those with endometriosis.”

Managing director of News Scotland and New Ireland, Richard Bogie, said: “I am delighted that News Scotland has committed to being an Endometriosis Friendly Employer. All our senior team and I fully support the scheme and ensuring our workplace is inclusive and supportive. I hope that our commitment will encourage other businesses to follow our lead.”

Scottish Sun Homepage editor and campaign organiser, Jennifer Hale, said: “We want to start the conversation around endometriosis and support the one in ten UK women who have it.

“By telling the stories of women who are battling this condition we hope to break down the stigma.

“It’s fantastic to see News Scotland commit to being an Endometriosis Friendly Employer as part of this.”