Do you lose working days per month to your period?

[LouisaJG]

Just trying to get a sense of how unusual my own experience is with this. I’ve always had heavy periods with a lot of cramps on the first couple of days. I think it was always the case that, while I could make it into the office, there was usually a day a month when I knew that realistically I would be getting the bare minimum done. I’m now in my early 40s and the brain fog associated with pre-period and the first half of my period has definitely expanded I think. I can do basic tasks, but for intellectually intensive work I feel like I’m losing, realistically, maybe 4 days a month. It’s not good. I’m just wondering what experiences other people have had, and where the norm is? Are most women able to work at full capacity throughout their cycle? Or is it normal to have a few days where your productivity is significantly impaired? If so, how many?

YABU - I work at full capacity throughout my cycle

YANBU - I have 1-4 days a month where my working capacity is significantly impaired (if I’m lucky some of them fall on a weekend)

I don't have periods any more but when I did, I personally was never unable to work as normal because of them. That being said, I don't think your experience is at all unusual or unreasonable. Some people have very difficult or painful periods and I've heard enough first-hand accounts to know they could quite definitely interfere with work. It probably also depends a bit on what work you do and how comfortable you can make yourself while doing it.

It’s the assumption that OP is having periods so bad that she’s losing days of work every month, but that it hasn’t occurred to her to seek medical help.

Plus the assumption that if she’s having bad periods she mustn’t have seen a doctor already or she wouldn’t be suffering as she is, because they can just wave a magic wand and make gynae conditions disappear.

It’s the same on every thread about heavy/painful periods, “See a doctor”. No shit, Sherlock?

I have currently been fighting for a hysterectomy for 2.5 years. I was to have an operation on Friday to solve the problem. Sadly, it didn’t happen and now I’m at the back of the waiting list.
I have whole weeks off work, I bleed through the thickest night pads. I cannot wear a tampon. It is hell. Even without PMDD symptoms and suicidal ideation, it’s HORRIFIC. So yes, I know what it’s like.

I’ve often wondered what is normal. Each month I have two really heavy days where I take a change of clothes to work just incase of leaking. I have cramps, headaches, exhaustion. I have low serum ferritin due to this. The rest of the days aren’t so bad. I don’t think I’ve missed a day of work though I’m not at full capacity. I do cancel plans outside of work due to it.

When i was a teenager I regularly had to have a day or two off school for debilitating cramps. It got better in my 20s and 30s and then worse again in my 40s. I am very good at managing it with painkillers but bloody hell, i'll be glad when I am completely through this menopause thing and done with periods forever.

I know its all anecdotal but I have spoken to so many women who have had similar issues with their periods.

I personally was having so much pain both for a few days around my period and when mensurating that I was actively reworking my diary to ensure I didn't have to travel for meetings or site visits on these days. I was taking a lot of pain killers and it was honestly really awful.

I went to see the GP and they did various blood tests and ultrasounds (external and internal) at the time I felt really listened to and as if they were doing all they could but ultimately they didn't find anything and the solution was to go back onto hormonal contraception. This has really solved the issue for me, I feel so much better and don't appear to have any side effects from the contraception.

However on speaking to a friend recently she has recently been diagnosed with endometriosis. She got the diagnosis by going private and getting an MRI scan done. So even though I felt like I was being listened to and treated properly by my GP, an MRI had never been brought up as what was needed to diagnose endo. I felt really disappointed but I guess I have a working solution.

No. I have always had heavy periods and now I'm in perimenopause they are irregular and very heavy, and I have horrible cramps and back ache for a week before they start. I actually suspect I have endometriosis. I don't lose days though. I teach full time and still have to be in front of my classes all day (except weekends and holidays, obviously).

Honestly try acupuncture for migraines can be like a miracle!

Yes - until I had dc1 the first day of my period was a write off (fainting, diarrhoea, debilitating cramps) it was a relief when it was a weekend day so at least I didn't need to struggle into work and somehow stay upright (or not make it into work and come up with an 'I'm ill' excuse because period pains would not have been acceptable).

Extreme pain, vomiting and diarrhoea on day 1, sometimes extending to day 2. Used to pray that day 1 would not fall on a work day. Did miss some work days. GP finally allowed me to take double ibuprofen doses alternating with an opioid (since banned). No investigations, told it would get better once I had a baby.

I know it was just trying to capture the voting options, but your YABU/YANBU descriptions made me feel really sad. No, I don't experience this - I don't think that makes you at all unreasonable to do so, and to take time if you need it. I hope the thread has shown you that your experience isn't 'typical' but that's because what your facing is harder, not because other women have the same and just deal with it better, which is what I think your options implied.

We’re not talking about ‘every thread’, we’re talking about this one, where OP has asked how other posters cope with their cycle each month.

Stop losing your shit and projecting your own problems when OP can speak for herself on her own thread about what she finds useful or not. Give OP your own advice.

You have given one option that im finding hard to answer as a YABU.
My answer is - I work(ed) at full capacity throughout my cycle but YANBU if you are struggling.
I started my periods at 14 and finished in my mid 50s and never had any pain or issues. Every month was regular and i soon got back into my rhythm after my pregnancies.

However other people struggle for many different reasons. 48 days ( if they fall on work days, not every day will be a work day) is a lot to be under par.

I’m 40 and switched to working from home and starting my own business for this very reason. Begun in my thirties where I’d get terrible migraines and sickness for 2 days, then my periods became so heavy that I couldn’t leave the house, barely leave the bathroom for 3 days a month. I became anaemic, had palpitations etc. After repeatedly seeing a dr and being told to keep taking a diary. Trying various contraceptives some which made everything a lot worse, and at times having 10 day cycles I was eventually referred for a scan. I have multiple fibroids, a large ovarian cyst and a bulky uterus. I was referred for a hysteroscopy but on the pre op discovered I have high blood pressure and the anesthetist wouldn’t do it . After investigating that it seems I also have hormone related high blood pressure, it rises to quite alarming levels and then reduces immediately with the onset of my period dropping to quite low blood pressure. I’ve now been put back on a waiting list for apparently being complicated . Long story short I’d be out of a job if I wasn’t able to work from home as I barely function at least 3 days a month.

I don't think OP is describing needing to take days off work, she's saying that she is aware she can't do her intellectually demanding job as well meaning she is effectively losing the equivalent of 4 days' work.

OP, I am in a similar type of job and probably lose a full day or two also due to brain fog etc (even with caffeine). And in those weeks I use everything I have at work so it has a knock on for my family as I simply can't string my words together by dinner time and I really don't have the patience they deserve.

If my job was physically demanding instead of relying on my brain, I'd probably lose even more days.

About a third of people here agree so you aren't alone!

Christ @Didimum How about listening to people with experience? It's likely that OP does have a problem and PPs know that it is not "simple" to diagnose and be treated. The waiting lists for surgery are out of control, and hormonal treatment just masks the problem.
So I'm sorry OP but now is the time to be strong and really advocate for yourself, women's health is woefully misunderstood and mismanaged, you're going to need to track your symptoms, insist on seeing specialists and demand help as you are missing work and your quality of life is suffering. Dr Nighat Arif is an amazing woman with tips on Instagram and books. Read all you can about endometriosis PCOS etc because you might recognise symptoms. Perimenopause of course messes with you even more. Good luck, and there are many of us so talk to us in groups etc, I've had much more help from other sufferers than professionals x

My periods have never really affected my life - it's like any other day of the month, apart from having to change tampons/pads ofc! Sometimes it's quite heavy, so i now feel safer wearing period pants in addition to my sanitary products. I very rarely feel cramps though. I'm very lucky! I have a job where I'm on my feet all day so it would be hard if I had bad periods.

Not every month, but a combination of severe headaches every few months, and absolutely crippling fatigue most months probably does mean that I am at less than my usual productivity. The headaches are bad but less frequent. The fatigue is just complete bone crushing exhaustion for 1-2 days.

I used to.

As a teenager, I would miss a day or two of school every month as I would vomit, faint and be in so much pain I could barely get out of bed.

I was eventually diagnosed with PCOS last year at 35 years old. I'm now on stronger painkillers as well as traxenamic acid to slow the bleeding and now I have no issues whatsoever.

I had awful first days of a period. Intense pain, cramping and sometimes flooding. Wasn’t until many years later I found out I had endometriosis. I just dosed up on painkillers took in sanpro and got on with it

not being a martyr about it I just didn’t believe in taking a couple of days a month off

I used to due to heavy flow, severe cramps to the point of lying on the floor crying in pain, fainting and vomiting.

I was diagnosed with endometriosis and multiple large fibroids and my operations were an absolute game changer. I know I was very lucky compared to many who don't have the same success.

I still have some bad flare ups. If my period starts on time, it's usually manageable but if it's even one day late, I'm in agony but I can usually work from home and manage with painkillers and hot water bottles.

I think you should seek treatment as it's very likely that you have an underlying condition.

I mean, I didn't "believe in it" either but most workplaces don't appreciate you spending the day curled up on the floor vomiting.

Yes since I went on tamoxifen for breast cancer.

I pushed for oc health and the adjustment has been that my sickness limit is a little higher.

I’ve not actually had to take much time off; so far it has mainly occurred over bank holidays or during the holidays luckily. But it took a weight off my mind. Nothing can be done to help as the cancer was hormone positive.

I get exceptional fatigue and dizziness for several days, brain fog and insomnia.

Have you tried tranaxemic acid? Worked wonders for me and I was so heavy I would bleed through a super tampon in about 20 mins. Ask the doctor.