Have you ever taken a day off work because of period pain?

[Nousername94]

My DD is 14 months old and yesterday I had my first period since she was born. I’ve been feeling really sick and dizzy from the period pain. I rang in sick as I couldn’t imagine sitting in the office all day with this pain.

Yes. Realistically, I’m probably quite unwell with my period on at least 1-2 days each month but obviously can’t take this much time off work so I struggle through like a zombie and only have a day off when I’m seriously incapacitated. Probably 2-3 times a year.

I have PMDD and endometriosis.

I think part of the problem is the sheer scale / spectrum of pain. From one woman virtually unaffected to another vomiting and passing out.

But somehow it potentially raises judgement (not from here but for example PPs former witch of a boss) rather than acknowledgement that it can be totally debilitating.

I don't think some people (including some women) know how bad it can be. Maybe because we don't talk about it in the same way we would about flu.

But absolutely no woman should feel they can't take time off when they need to.

I haven't needed to yet but finding the pain seems to be increasing as I hit menopause. It actually brings back the memory of childbirth!

No, but I'm one of the lucky ones who never suffered badly with my periods.

No, I've never taken painkillers either. Mild discomfort is the most I've got, I'm lucky! Also I gave birth without pain relief and it didn't even hurt much, no pain receptors perhaps

I've never taken a whole day off, but when I was in my 20s I had a few months when I had to take a couple of hours off, because of extreme pain, vomiting and fainting. Then I discovered Ponstan Forte (mefenamic acid) which I took for years and changed my life.

I then had about 5 years free of period pains when I was either pregnant or breastfeeding. The month after I stopped breastfeeding my younger daughter I had awful pains again, and fainted. That was my last painful period. I think my hormones just took a while to adjust to the new normal.

If you're lucky, that will be case for you. If not, I highly recommend Ponstan Forte!

Yes, frequently before going on the depo injection. Then when I came off that again, I was ill for 2 days at a time, and had to write an embarrassing letter to my boss to explain why I was sick for 2 days every month. He passed me on to a female partner to deal with .

We came to an agreement that I would build up TOIL and then take those hours if I needed to when my period was due. That was my suggestion as I didn't want these days added to my sickness record.

I suffer from Endo, and periods were so bad to the point that I was passing out, throwing up, and in absolute agony.

Yes thankfully not working today or would have had to phone in sick ! Hooe you feel better soon

Yes

No, I just take a solpadine or 2 if needed and I'm good. If pain killers didn't help and I was in a lot of pain then I would have to but thankfully that's never happened.

Yes, I have also been taken to A&E from work twice due to vomiting and pain due to my period. My periods were more painful than the two times I laboured to give birth.

Sorry you're feeling so bad. Don't feel guilty about needing time off.

I've never had bad period pain, but I've seen my tough as nails sister reduced to crawling up the stairs her pain was so bad

I missed a lot of school before I went on the pill as a teenager, because I'd inevitably pass out from the pain.

As an adult, I can only recall one sick day. I went to work in the morning but left early after spending far too long hunched over in the bathroom trying not to pass out. I remember feeling a million times better as soon as I got out into the fresh air and started walking to the train station! I'd never judge any woman for taking a sick day for period pain.

I've never actually had to call in sick because of it, but I have had to leave work early several times. Once I was in so much pain I actually thought I might faint on the bus home, luckily I didn't.

I once asked to leave work as soon as I got there because I was in such pain. I was 17 and my mum had made me go in Tommy Saturday job but as a teen and young adult my periods were hell. I used to writhe around on my bed begging the painkillers to kick in.

I also asked my husband to pick me up from work once a few years later as I was in agony and feeling sick etc.

And then when I visited my mum once I think that was the only time I actually was sick and needed to spend a day on her sofa in misery instead of getting the coach back to my own house.

Thankfully when I reached my thirties they started to settle down and were better still (pain wise) once I'd had a baby at 35. These days I rarely even need paracetamol. They're still heavy and generally annoying though!

Yes plenty and hospital visits caused by endo.

However, this is new for you. Please don't ignore severe pain just because its during your period. There could be an explanation (such as endo in my case). I'd seek medical advice.

No, that crampy, intermittent sort of pain doesn’t really bother me that much.
however, I feel shocking even with a mild temperature and my brain turns to mush, so I probably have more time off with a viral infection than others do.

Yes, I reckon 2 or 3 days every year over several years. I used to get excruciating cramps. The kind that made me sweat and go pale, they were so extreme. I used to vomit too. They started to ease up once I got to my early 30s and after I had my first dc, they are much less painful and lighter too, thank God!

Never. I was blessed with clockwork 4 day periods that only ever needed 2 ibuprofen maybe on the first day. But I kept my trap shut when my colleagues were clearly suffering and walking round with heat patches and hot water bottles.

Many!!!
I used to pass out and vomit with the pain.
Ended up in A&E for painkilling injections too.
Labour was a breeze!!!

I haven't but I could have if it wasn't a Sunday. The first period after a missed miscarriage was the most horrendous day I e ever experienced, to the point I almost passed out.

As someone who only ever has 48 hour light periods I was so worried that day.

Hopefully you're cosy with a hot water bottle and getting some sympathy

Yes, i have. After birth of my daughter, exactly like you. Tampons would not stay in, the bleeding was so heavy. As a manager i think there should be the same sort of policy as we have with the menopause. Women can take leave if symptoms are too bad

Not from pain but bleeding so heavily I went to GP (remember the days when we could do this?) . She was alarmed but gave me something to stop it, which worked.
I was then based in a school. Head popped into my office to ask what had been the matter (a heck of a cheek as I worked for the County Council not him and it was just one day). I told him ‘uncontrollable bleeding).
He scuttled off and never asked again.

This thread is making me feel quite uncomfortable. I remember the writhing around covered in sweat. The only time (including childbirth) when the pain was so bad I couldn’t get in to
a comfortable position and would actually moan out loud. Painkillers didn’t touch it. My periods were so bad I would feel actual visceral fear as they approached. It influenced my decision to become a sahm for a while tbh. Looking after young dc when in extreme pain wasn’t exactly a bundle of laughs either.

Turns out my womb was an odd shape, backwards. and I had two large fibroids and a very nasty ovarian cyst. Thank heavens all removed now. But I suffered for years up to that point. But some other women make you feel crap and inadequate for mentioning it in the workplace, like you are setting back the feminist cause a couple of decades.

No, and I feel very lucky that I’ve never had really debilitating pain with it. I would never judge another woman for doing so though. I hope you feel better soon 💐

Agree with this.

I've never needed the day off but I absolutely think women should take the time off if they are in a lot of pain or discomfort and would take the time myself if I ever felt I needed it.

Yes, times I couldn’t leave the house due to very heavy bleeding and at others the pain was excruciating. I envy women who just sail through their periods, I’m not one of them.