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.

What the fck is the point of three days a year when we have periods 12 times a year?!

If you have such heavy periods you need to take time off then 3 days out of a year won’t be adequate and if it’s THAT bad then you should be seeing your GP......

@Russellbrandshair it was three days a year in one country.

It is two days a month in other countries

@Russellbrandshair as other people pointed out - seeing your GP does not wave a wand and fix your periods.

Either the GP says nothing is wrong, or they can take many, many years to find a correct diagnosis

No.

Use sick leave if your period makes you so ill you are unable to work and if that is regular, see your GP about how to improve the situation.

I like the idea of formal 'menstrual leave', and yes, three additional days a year doesn't seem like more than a token gesture, but as tokens go, I find it quite progressive. To me, it acknowledges women as having a specific issue which may impact on their attendance at work but which has no real additional implications for an employer. Imagine, instead of having to lie or make up excuses you could say, straight up, that you're taking 'menstrual leave' and no more explanation is needed. Instead of saying you have 'food poisoning' and the factory you work in having to shut down and clean everything, or instead of your boss implying you're weak or lazy, instead of the embarrassment of trying to explain your symptoms to your manager you make a simple, legal request and you're done. Sounds great.

No but I think that it should be taken more seriously/better understood a) for better treatments and b) to enable sick leave to be used.

It is two days a month in other countries

That would be abused though wouldn’t it? Every woman would be taking 2 days off every month. I agree with bluntness - of course painful periods exist but if you are literally flooding with blood then you need to seek medical advice as that sounds like a clinical pathology is going on and needs medical advice

No but it its really bad we should get better medical help because its not classed as normal to be losing so much blood/be in pain so bad each time.

@Pumperthepumper - what the hell is wrong with you? Who are you to say if another poster is a woman or not, even though they've specified that they are? You're saying it in a sneery way, as though calling someone a man is an insult. Very, very bizarre.

Read it and weep: www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/uk-england-nottinghamshire-53822993.

And previous bbc article from 2018 outlining that average diagnosis time is 7 years for women.

As someone who suffers I would gladly take 3 days. I had to take 2 last year - it is not necessarily debilitating every time, it is unpredictable. We women still get sick in the usual ways men do, as well as having this issue that men do not deal with. Why on earth should we have to use generic sick leave for it?

Fucking hell
This took a turn😂

@Sarahpaula

I just think that women should be given so much more respect in so many areas.

FFS just grow up.

We women have periods every month (until the menopause). Yes, sometimes they're painful. Sometimes we might flood.

If you've been to the doctors; and you've been told that nothing is wrong, then DEAL with it.

There are plenty of good quality sanitary protection products that will work, and a whole range of different pain killers that will help.

Why on earth should women demand respect?

And please - stop picking on @Bluntness100 who has done nothing but give you good/the right advice.

Pumper I've reported your post - that's just mad!

I've read many of Bluntness' posts myself - she's direct (as her name implies!) but you are making massive leaps, attacking her & also somehow suggesting being a man is a bad thing, as another poster said.

It's not on at all. Kudos to Bluntness for reacting calmly.

@Pumperthepumper - and you know all women do you? You can't conceive of individual women being, well, individual?! You seem to be a bit fixated with Bluntness. So what if she is a bloke? That is allowed. I always assume that nobody is the same in real life as their online persona. It would be naïve and irresponsible to think otherwise, surely?

@PatriciaPerch did you mean to be quite so objectionable rude? If the NHS is not providing the support and care women need, perhaps more women need to start objecting to the practices of the behemoth rather than bleating their gratefulness for shit maternity care for example because it's FREEEEE woo hoo! I think not actually. I also recall a daft GP telling me aged 52 that when I have up work because of my age I might not need HRT if I wasn't stressed. Oh yes, I didn't get up until she agreed all women were entitled to love their best lives and to suggest otherwise was to undermine equality. She stuttered a bit and eventually apologised.

As you were Patsy

@BIWI that's a bit rich, criticising OP for her reactions while being pretty vicious yourself.

She's entitled to her views.

I agree with others who have said that a better idea is for period problems to be taken more seriously by healthcare.

Your proposal, whilst well meaning, sounds to me like yet another reason why someone should employ a man over a woman. I can just hear it now... "Less fuss. No women's issues. Mode reliable and emotionally stable".

We do NOT need a return to that bullshit. I'm old enough to remember it the first time around.

Pumper, I’ve reported you now, because this is just too weird and creepy.

Mnhq know I’m a fifty one year old female, . With a husband and a daughter I delivered by c section, and I do not need to prove it to some one being randomly weird on here.

It is creeping me out and you’re derailing what was an interesting discussion.

Equality doesn't mean treating everyone equally, it means treating people in ways that can make them all equal, some may need more support than others

Oh for God's sake, leave Bluntless alone. If you don't agree with her than argue with what she's said, don't start harassing her and accusing her of not being female. It's the internet, it doesn't matter.

@Bluntness100

Pumper, I’ve reported you now, because this is just too weird and creepy.

Mnhq know I’m a fifty one year old female, . With a husband and a daughter I delivered by c section, and I do not need to prove it to some one being randomly weird on here.

It is creeping me out and you’re derailing what was an interesting discussion.

Sorry this has happened to you on this thread Bluntness

It's definitely weird & creepy & totally uncalled for.

[quote EarringsandLipstick]@BIWI that's a bit rich, criticising OP for her reactions while being pretty vicious yourself.

She's entitled to her views. [/quote]
As am I.

I’m happy for it to be deleted, you asked the question Earrings and I answered it.

Yeah BIWI your views are fine - shouting at her to DEAL with it & shooting down points aggressively is unfair tho.