Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

How do I tell work about my period? (Quick help needed)

150 replies

limecello · 06/12/2019 09:30

I started my period during the night and honestly, I must be having the worst period of my iife - the first day is always bad but not usually to this extent. My muscle walls in my bum and lower back are periodically cramping (every 10 mins) so violently it's actually made me scream out loud. I've also been sick (sometimes happens) which has given me a bloody awful headache. Still retching but luckily I didn't eat much last night due to nausea.

I was hoping to pull myself together and get into work for 10...not happened. I've been up since 5 and don't know what to do.

I've just started working for a big company and am literally the only woman on my team (hardly any in my dept either) - I don't know if I feel comfortable telling my boss I'm having period pain. I don't want to use my period as an excuse I'm genuinely suffering.

Please advise what you would do.

OP posts:
QforCucumber · 06/12/2019 09:32

I would call and say I'm really not well and can't make it in today.

MatildaTheCat · 06/12/2019 09:33

I wouldn’t normally advise this but call in with Norovirus- it’s extremely prevalent right now. If you are honest and as you’ve just started you may be unfairly discriminated against as they may think you will be off every month.

You are sick so call in.

DontLettuceBrexitLettuceRomain · 06/12/2019 09:33

Why do you have to tell them? Just say you're too ill to come into work today.

TaxFool · 06/12/2019 09:34

Just say you're sick.

TwiddleMuff · 06/12/2019 09:36

If you’re so ill you’re screaming in pain, call in sick and stay at home!! Can’t believe you’re even contemplating going in.

Acciocats · 06/12/2019 09:37

You ring in and say you’re too ill to work. There is absolutely no need to tell them the minutiae of what is wrong with you. If you need to fill in a sickness form on your return which asks for more detail, you write ‘severe nausea and headache’ or similar, as these are your symptoms.

OverthinkingThis · 06/12/2019 09:38

I'd probably just call in sick and say I was having D&V.

MumW · 06/12/2019 09:39

Just say that you've been sick overnight, can't even keep water down and haven't had any sleep but hopefully it's one of those 24 hour things and you'll be in tomorrow.

LBOCS2 · 06/12/2019 09:39
  1. Call in sick, tell them you have norovirus if they want details
  1. Make a GP appointment when you're feeling a bit better. You shouldn't have to suffer like this whenever you get your period. If they're not helpful, push for a referral. Don't allow them to fob you off - there is a range of normal for periods and this sounds like it's pushing the very top end of normal.

I hope you feel better soon.

Elodie2019 · 06/12/2019 09:42

If they want a specific reason state Gynaecological issues.

diddl · 06/12/2019 09:51

If you've been sick & have a headache, I would have thought that that was at least enough to stay off, without anything else!

Tink1989 · 06/12/2019 09:53

iI have endo but before i was diagnosed i would call in and say really bad gynae issues. if you are uncomfortable saying that i would be inclined to say D&V.

Keep a note if you have this problem with your period and see your GP as there are things that can help and referrals to specialists can be made. Also should it happen again in future having the GP on your side is handy.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 06/12/2019 09:53

If you've been sick, just say that. They won't want you in spreading it around before Christmas, and you're supposed to stay off for 48 hours after vomiting anyway (I know you think this is linked to your period, but they don't need that info).

Treaclepie19 · 06/12/2019 09:55

I'm suffering too, last night and today. No sickness but a very unhappy stomach. Thankfully a SAHM so haven't got work to consider.
Yanbu, stay home and use any of the reasons above. Hope you feel better soon Flowers

TheTurnOfTheScrew · 06/12/2019 09:57

I'm always happy to say gynae issues, although my managers are all women so perhaps easier. I hope things are better soon. Please also see a GP.

puds11 · 06/12/2019 09:59

D & V never had a follow up question to this in my life Grin

Lovemusic33 · 06/12/2019 09:59

Just tell them you’ve been sick, you don’t need to give them all the details.
Do go to your gp though, it’s not normal to be in this much pain. I know the pain you describe and it’s horrible. I found going on the pill helped but that has come with other problems Sad. I’m looking forward to the day periods stop.

Original poster
limecello · 06/12/2019 10:00

I was off a month ago due to a very bad cold so feel like work may think I'm taking the piss.

OP posts:
Spied · 06/12/2019 10:00

D&V. That also gives you tomorrow off to make sure you ok and pull yourself together.

RevengeOfTheReindeer · 06/12/2019 10:01

Tell the, you've been vomiting. It's not untrue.

Then get to a doctor, because that is not normal and you should do something about it.

Original poster
limecello · 06/12/2019 10:01

This is my first job out of uni (in a very male environment) so feel anxious about things like this/

OP posts:
peachypetite · 06/12/2019 10:01

Call in sick you don’t need to give all the details. You need to make a dr appt too, you shouldn’t have to suffer like this.

Original poster
limecello · 06/12/2019 10:02

I often dry wretch due to nausea on my period.

OP posts:
FoamingAtTheUterus · 06/12/2019 10:02

Could you work from home ??;

Spied · 06/12/2019 10:02

Gives you a chance too to maybe see the g.p and see if you could get a solution ( diff pill or something?) incase this happens again next month.
Then that would look bad.