mn should start a campaign for women to have several period days a year

[sarahighseas]

I suffer from really bad periods. My work have a policy of only paying for 3 sick days per year.

I easy use more than this just with bad periods.

Anyone else think women should get more sick days to allow for periods?

You can't be serious? I say that as someone who suffers endemetriosis badly enough that I had to have keyhole surgery.

It's suggestions like this that put us behind in arguments for equality.

It's a silly idea OP. Honestly it is.
Although, as with most things related to wombs, breasts, periods, babies, etc etc etc, if it were men who had had to deal with these, they would have already put in 500 years of scientific and social investment into making it easier//simpler//painfree//off-loading it onto the other sex. Just saying.

There are so many treatments available to heavy painful periods, I think it's worth seeing a doctor.

If anything then MN should campaign to get the VAT stopped on tampons and pads.

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5% vat

YABU. Your company's sick leave policy is mean but it's mean to all people with medical issues not just women who have bad periods. I have bad periods to the point where some months I am lying in bed writhing in pain for a few hours. Have you tried Naproxen? - it gets rid of my cramps very effectively even when they are at the writhing in pain stage. I don't think I could live without it.

You're the gift that keeps giving op.

I've always been lucky enough not to suffer with really bad periods but i guess i could use the days off to lie in bed MNing.

Erm, no, just no.

Why periods in particular? How about hayfever day or migraine days or pain in a specific area days.

Periods can be unbearable but so can arthritis or migraines or IBS.

This would be a huge step back for working women. Your work sick policy is the issue, not the reason for the absence.

Yes on the VAT thing, alpaca. Don't think sanitary products and nappies should be taxed AT ALL!

It's a silly idea. Women with terrible periods should be able to take time off sick, just like women with asthma or men with chronic back pain. People should get sick days for being sick, but not get extra sick days for being female.

No. I don't think so. Why should periods be given special treatment?

If an individual company's sick leave policy is inadequate in your opinion, challenge that but no, I don't think we have any right to special treatment if we happen to menstruate.

I suffer more with my migraines than my periods. I'd be hacked off if Betty in the next cubicle took her special ladies week leave while I had to use my standard allowance every time I was confined to a dark room with my head exploding and my bucket on standby.

And you know that all that would happen? Resentment. People blathering on about the negatives of women in the workplace. Accusations of women taking full advantage of the extra leave. Demands for proof of problem. Managers using it as yet another reason to hire that man or older woman.

We have enough crap to fight though, don't hand them a fucking gift for crying out loud.

wowser

Sorry OP, but that's probably the daftest idea I've read on MN... :-)

Yabu, obviously.

My periods were bad enough that I was taken to hospital (narrowly avoiding a 999) and missing uni left right and centre. Had constant vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, hallucinations, fainting.. I was told I have suspected endometriosis and have had a mirena fitted - et voila, three weeks off or so as fitting wasn't pleasant, but since then I have my life back, little or no bleeding and only mild pain. I have also told my boss and so if I for whatever reason if I had my coil removed I wouldn't be penalised for time off as it's a genuine medical problem.

But I work for the nhs, and our sick leave policy is bloody good.

OP is joking, I'm sure. I mean, she must be?

And yes, see a doctor - don't put up with it, get proper help whether painkillers, hormonal, etc.

Oh I am very very sure she is, treacle. I've noticed her around, she has quite the sense of humour with her threads.

Which is good. We need as many laughs as we can in life.

But what about people who suffer from migraine, or chronic back pain, or sinus problems, or the many other annoying and recurring illnesses and conditions that are just part of life for a lot of people? Three days a year is ridiculous, but it's unfair on loads of people not just women who suffer from painful periods.

And I say this as someone who used to practically haemorage every month and had to have a hysterectomy.

As much as I would love to languish in bed when I'm doubled up in pain and unable to be far from the loo, I'd really rather my employers didn't know the ins and outs of my chuff cycle, plus can you imagine how many people would take the piss and throw a 'period sicky' when they are as right as rain?

Other than that it's an excellent idea.

By the way after years of ghastly heavy periods I've discovered that Ibuprofen with Lysene works wonders on calming it down to a reasonably manageable level.

what somebody's GP said - it is 2014 and no-one should be suffering with periods. Obviously treatment is not always 'just like that' but if your periods are that bad then you are ill and need help.

to offer 'period leave' takes us back to the 1930s when the filmstars used to arrange just that. But they didn't have modern medicine.

Talk about backtracking and giving employers more reason not to employ women! it's a period. If it's so bad you have to stop your day to day life then you have to see a doctor, get some form of contraception or other medication that helps it. Equally have the necessary tests to ensure you aren't sick. If every woman had periods so bad they had to call in sick the world would collapse. For most periods are a bit inconvenient and irritating but that's it. Just something we have to live with for thirty+ years.

Another who thinks this is one of the most stupid proposals ever on Mumsnet.

Actually, I've changed my mind. This is an excellent idea.

I suffer not in the slightest dreadfully with uber light heavy periods requiring approximately five twenty five regular superplus tampons per month, and that cause a minor inconvenience crippling pain and render me incapable of work for the five mins I have to use the loo days.

I claim my five days off per month, please.

(This is tongue-in-cheek, anyone who suffers really bad periods has my utmost sympathy).

Oh for goodness sake!