Do you think that we should get menstrual leave?

[Sarahpaula]

I have had such a terrible period this month. I was in so much pain. I feel so weak and tired. I know that many women feel like this. Do you think we should have an entitlement to menstrual leave from work?

Some countries already have menstrual leave in place. Mainly in Asia, from what I can see.

Here is an article:

in Taiwan, menstrual leave legislation was amended as recently as 2013. It guarantees women three days of menstrual leave a year on top of the 30 days half-paid sick leave given to all workers.
The extra three days came after a coalition of politicians claimed that incorporating menstrual leave into regular sick leave would be a violation of women’s rights. Indonesian women, too, are allowed two days a month menstrual leave and South Korean workers AND students are entitled to take days off when they’ve got their period as sick leave.

I know what you mean. Geographically it is Asia, hence they are Asians. But some other countries use term "Asian" just for part of it (usually China, Koreas, etc).

Kind of like "Middle Eastern". Middle East is geographically Asia too but it's usually talked about as Middle Eastern food/people/traditions.

@Bluntness100

I’m still lost.

India is in South Asia, and has been for a very long time. Factually. Globally. India is in South Asia.

You will probably feel a little less lost if you are able to comprehend that different cultures use different terms to describe the same thing. A British person describing someone as 'Asian' is likely to be referring to someone of South Asian ancestry. In the US, 'Asian' is generally used in reference to people whose origin is East Asian.

Factually, yes, India is in Asia. So is China, and you will know that when most people in the UK say 'Asian', they are not referring to Chinese people.

Parts of the Middle East are also in North Africa and south east Europe though, hence why it’s slightly different.

@AbsentmindedWoman I wish you good luck!

In all honesty, if this were a real thing and I was looking to hire somebody for a role - if a man and a woman were equally qualified, this would make ME want to pick the man.

I've encountered so much sexism at work in the past; been sidelined while pregnant, paid less than junior male colleagues etc, but things like this only increase the pay / opportunity gap.

If your periods are that debilitating, it's a medical issue. If they're just a bit uncomfortable or painful? That's life as a woman. Personally I take the mini pill back to back and have enjoyed a period-free life for seven glorious years. I highly recommend it.

I should clarify that my experience is in East Asia, tbh I really don’t consider that India is part of Asia, but I forget that British people do
Myra - because outside Britain India is regarded as part of Africa 😳

@SchrodingersImmigrant OK so this is a British website hence referencing experience in the UK. Its kinda gross to blame women for not trying hard enough to get treatment. Many women try very hard to get treatment. Off the top of my head the average time for endometriosis to be diagnosed is 7 years so in that time women are doing exactly what you say they should and fighting for better support and a diagnosis. Yet sure as hell they will be experiencing symptoms. So my point it as our system is at present it is laughable to think you pop into the GP get a referral and get your problem solved in a few weeks. You're blaming the wrong people and it makes you sound awful. Where you from with perfect health care?

Absolutely! I think at least one day a month for us to use as needed. If men had periods you better believe it would be enshrined in law yesterday

I didn't blame women for not trying hard enough to get treatment
What the fuck

@SchrodingersImmigrant

I didn't blame women for not trying hard enough to get treatment What the fuck

I can't understand why Brits just accept the system like this where someone can fob you off without even examining you...

That sounds like you're blaming women for accepting this. If you're gonna say stupid shit at least stand by it. That's what the fuck.

It's not stupid shit to say that people should want better. Nor it is blaming.

It should be a standard to be examined and helped. But that standard will not happen if people don't demand it🤷🏻 It works elsewhere, why couldn't an acceptable standard of gynae access and care work in UK.

@SchrodingersImmigrant

It's not stupid shit to say that people should want better. Nor it is blaming.

It should be a standard to be examined and helped. But that standard will not happen if people don't demand it🤷🏻 It works elsewhere, why couldn't an acceptable standard of gynae access and care work in UK.

Ffs! So you're saying people need to demand it in order to get a good standard of care but you're not blaming people for not demanding? I don't actually think we think fundamentally different thing. But what I don't understand is if you are apparently not blaming women for not demanding better care what are you saying? That the system should be better? Then why not say that? You were the one who brought up women not demanding better care so the care was shit. You can reply all you want but I think you're getting pissy because you post I picked up on didn't make sense.

A gp has told me "Endometriosis is NORMAL for some women" (verbatim) when I pushed for a second opinion, arguing I'd have to go to the back of the queue. When I said I still wanted a second opinion he said he could only make the referral if he conducted an anal examination first, and he was sure I didn't want that, so...
Do you realise that this is enough to strike that GP off the register? You really must report it. Don’t let him get away with it.

@Sarahpaula

I think if menstrual leave has been successfully introduced in some countries in Asia, it could be introduced here.

I read another article, it said that female sudents in a school in Asia are allowed to choose to sit exams on a date when they do not have their periods.

I just think that menstruation should be so much more respected in the UK. And of course sanitary products should be free

It's been introduced in Asia because their work ethic and work force is 1000000% better and stronger than ours. We are already a very sickly and lazy nation, and this would not help in anyway.

Giving all women who get periods (or people who get periods rather) 3 days off a month to cope with nature would be an absolute disaster. The NHS wouldn't be able to afford to treat the problem if all the money went to us taking time off.

I think more freedom to WTH is a better option where available

@sarahpaula I am.amazed transgender employees get menstrual leave if they don't menstruate. This really is rediculous.

Just before menopause my body flooded with blood so badly I needed the largest tampon and night time maternity pads too, changed every 30 mins. GP gave me transanemic acid which helped a bit but still horrendous when you flood through half way through a lesson so can't leave your seat. I had to go home on 2 or 3 occasions to shower and change of clothing. It only lasted about 18 months though until menopause. GP said body getting rid of excess eggs.

I am finally out of pain after six days. I am weak from lack of iron. Hugs to all the women on here, as we all go through this every month. It ranges in difficulty, but we all go through it, and we all have a connection in that way

Yes definitely, I suffer really bad with cramps. It’s often unbearable and wipes me out.

[quote caringcarer]@sarahpaula I am.amazed transgender employees get menstrual leave if they don't menstruate. This really is rediculous.[/quote]
I don't know what you mean? Transmen May still get periods

Giving all women who get periods (or people who get periods rather)

You had it right the first time. Only women have periods. (Or girls but they aren’t often in the workplace)

@MadameBlobby

Giving all women who get periods (or people who get periods rather)

You had it right the first time. Only women have periods. (Or girls but they aren’t often in the workplace)

I was being sarcastic!!!!

Periods can be painful and there is NOTHING wrong

I disagree. If you have painful periods there IS something wrong.

Your viewpoint is that women can't win. GPs can fob them off, and they can't have sick leave especially for the fact that they are a woman, either. The only reason so many women are saying it would be a bad thing is because workplaces are still run by men for men.

Yes it's true we Japanese women and students could use menstrual leave for leave or exam changes but it almost never happens. I don't even know why we have it. I have only heard of one woman who once used 1 day before a hysterectomy.