Page 2 | My period makes me so tired. AIBU to take a day off work?

OttilieStonelady · 2021-10-17T17:55:53+00:00

Not every month, but just as a one off as I'm so exhausted. My period is due and no matter how much sleep I get, I'm completely exhausted. So tired that I can't concentrate, can't keep my eyes open properly after 5pm, move really slowly, am in bed at the same time as my toddler etc. I struggle to work and it's really getting to me. I'm not usually this bad but the last few months have got progressively worse. Would I be unreasonable to take a one off day off work? Also, does anyone else feel like this in the run up to their period? I feel awful.

MeltedCheeseonTop · 17/10/2021 20:44

@AhNowTed

"I actually saw a job ad the other day where one of the benefits is a period day off a month!"

That's just bloody ridiculous.

God I envy your periods if you don’t get wiped out by yours. Genuinely. Would love for my day-to-day life not to be totally hit by my hormones.

StCharlotte · 17/10/2021 20:45

It's so difficult. I had awful periods but I never took time off because I felt - rightly or wrongly - that it was doing a disservice to the progress women had made in the workplace over the years. Maybe I was being ridiculous but I felt that it would just be giving men ammunition.

Having said that, two women at work took time off this week for this very reason.

Hope you feel better soon.

Lauraa7 · 17/10/2021 20:48

I just got diagnosed with adinomyosis after going to the doctors. Luckily I’ve been working from home for over a year which has made things more easy to manage. You’re not being unreasonable to take the day off!

icedcoffees · 17/10/2021 20:50

@StCharlotte

It's so difficult. I had awful periods but I never took time off because I felt - rightly or wrongly - that it was doing a disservice to the progress women had made in the workplace over the years. Maybe I was being ridiculous but I felt that it would just be giving men ammunition.

Having said that, two women at work took time off this week for this very reason.

Hope you feel better soon.

The thing is, if men had periods, you can get your last penny that they'd never be expected to suffer the way women are.

Fallsballs · 17/10/2021 20:59

I think you are lucky if your periods aren’t really bad. There’s a difference in a bad period and one you cannot go to work. I suffered badly when I was younger and regularly had to take a day off.
Every woman’s experience is different and it’s not “ridiculous”.

StCharlotte · 17/10/2021 20:59

The thing is, if men had periods, you can get your last penny that they'd never be expected to suffer the way women are.

Obviously.

StarryNightSparkles · 17/10/2021 21:00

I hear you op and think you should take a day of. Resting is so important for your mind and body. I have my own business and last week was so busy but I took a few days off to rest on the couch/work in my Pjs. I had my period and was totally wiped out. I went to bed at midnight last night and just woke up at 7pm tonight. I am now worrying about sleeping tonight as I start work at 8am tomorrow. I have a small team of staff and we all help cover each others shifts to take time off if need be due to periods. The whole wellbeing and mental health of my staff is important to me as an employer.

Comedycook · 17/10/2021 21:18

One or two days before my period I get like this....exhausted beyond words, fall asleep at about 6pm and can sleep until the morning. It's awful. As soon as I get my period, I feel fine again. I'm a sahm but dread to think how I'd cope if I worked in that day.

BombyliusMajor · 17/10/2021 21:21

Try your GP, but if they’re anything like any of the GPs I tried to talk to about this, be prepared to be offered antidepressants and/or told to just suck it up.

For me this sort of fatigue was a sign that I was perimenopausal, and HRT sorted it out immediately. Took me years to get the GP to agree to give it to me, though, and in that time I quit my job because the fatigue and migraines were making work impossible. I hope you have better luck!

beigebrownblue · 17/10/2021 21:22

I think if you havent experienced them being really, really heavy, you are lucky.

Towards the menopause mine got so bad that I had flooding and found it extremely difficult to go out at all for that reason.

Blood test for iron levels.
Scan for endometriosis.
Had a mirena coil fitted...solved the issue

I looked forward to the menopause, there are upsides...

LordEmsworth · 17/10/2021 22:08

I used to be like this but decided I couldn't lose 1-2 days a month of my life and went to the doctor, who suggested hormonal contraception - never looked back ...

CareerConcerns1999 · 17/10/2021 22:13

A period day off every month is a fabulous benefit - for most women, periods can have insane side effects. An employer who not only acknowledges this, but makes an adjustment to their working conditions for it is fantastic.

Anyone wanna swap their easy or lack of periods and take that monthly day off can do it. It's there for a reason.

Crinkle77 · 17/10/2021 22:40

Yes I get very tired on the run up to my period and usually around the 2nd or 3rd day when it's at its heaviest and I've got back ache and period pain to contend with. I'm very lucky in that I can wfh one or two days a week which I'm going to do tomorrow cos I feel so shitty.

WorraLiberty · 17/10/2021 22:46

If it's that bad then what good is one day going to do?

VillKrill · 17/10/2021 22:52

If it's that bad then what good is one day going to do?

I - and a couple of other women I know - really suffer for one day of our period, sometimes two (the remaining few aren’t great but it’s not quite as debilitating). So personally speaking, one day of rest makes a big difference as I can barely function or concentrate on work when it’s that bad anyway.

YANBU, OP, but agree with PPs that you should def see your GP as well.

OwlinaTree · 17/10/2021 22:55

@AhNowTed

"I actually saw a job ad the other day where one of the benefits is a period day off a month!"

That's just bloody ridiculous.

CareerConcerns1999 · 17/10/2021 23:08

@WorraLiberty

If it's that bad then what good is one day going to do?

Because periods are short, and (for me) each day varies. One day is basically "shark attack" day.

I'm grateful I can work from home when that day hits.

WorraLiberty · 17/10/2021 23:10

@CareerConcerns1999 I don't think the OP's period has started yet.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 18/10/2021 07:30

"I actually saw a job ad the other day where one of the benefits is a period day off a month!"

That's just bloody ridiculous.

I don’t think it’s ridiculous. I think it’s the modern world beginning to shape itself around women as well as men. The working world is entirely set up for men’s convenience- why should women have to force themselves to work when in pain, bleeding etc?

I’m sure men would be quick to mewl “oh we’re not getting that, it’s unfair” forgetting that they don’t go through the pain and bleeding etc

If nothing else there should be period flexibility, so you can move your hours around to allow for a period.

PurpleHydrangea1 · 18/10/2021 07:35

@AhNowTed

Why?
A lot of women suffer with period related problems. Endometriosis affects one in ten women. I have suspected endo - it's debilitating. Add in things like possible PCOS and other possible factors for different people, it's a great way forward.

Ribrabrob · 18/10/2021 08:53

I feel you OP. I’m pregnant now but even in the first 3 months when I was desperately sick, tired etc I NEVER felt as ill as I do when I’m on my period (particularly the day before and on the first day of it). It’s horrible.

I wouldn’t blame you for taking a day off and hope you manage to find a solution.

AhNowTed · 18/10/2021 11:00

[quote PurpleHydrangea1]@AhNowTed

Why?
A lot of women suffer with period related problems. Endometriosis affects one in ten women. I have suspected endo - it's debilitating. Add in things like possible PCOS and other possible factors for different people, it's a great way forward.[/quote]

Why?

Women already struggle enough to gain parity in the workplace, without employers being expected to provide additional period pain leave - it's hardly going to help fight the pay gap.