Spain has introduced time off from work when women are on their period. Is it time for the UK to do the same?
If you’ve ever suffered from period pain and heavy bleeding, you’ll know that all you want to do is curl up with a hot water bottle. But often, that’s not an option.
Could that be about to change, however?
The Spanish government has introduced menstrual leave for women on their periods. It means that once a month, women can take a few days off work if they’re having cramps or heavy bleeding or just feeling unwell.
The move has been championed by women around the world, so should the UK do the same?
Dr Melanie Bone, an obstetric gynaecologist and member of the medical board at women’s health specialists Daye, says of the law in Spain: ‘We are in favour! While for us, it’s a total no-brainer, it feels like a progressive step for a central government.’
She points to the approximately 90 per cent of women who suffer from menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea), and says: ‘A journal published by The BMJ has shown that menstrual-related symptoms like pain and a heavy flow are causing women to lose around nine days of productivity at work each year, with other studies putting this estimate much higher.’
According to the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Women’s Health Hub Toolkit, one in five women experiences heavy periods. This can lead to pain, leaking, embarrassment and discomfort. But for women with other conditions such as endometriosis, the time of the month can be even harder.
Faye Farthing, head of communications at Endometriosis UK, says: ‘One in 10 women and those assigned female at birth in the UK has endometriosis. The most common symptoms are chronic pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during or after sex, painful bowel movements, pain when urinating, fatigue and difficulty getting pregnant. Some with endometriosis
may experience heavy menstrual bleeding.’
But Endometriosis UK have their concerns about ‘blanket’ menstrual leave. While their CEO, Emma Cox, said it was ‘good to see menstrual wellbeing being discussed at government level in Spain’, she argued that ‘a blanket policy risks downplaying the seriousness of symptoms that some of those with menstrual conditions such as endometriosis, heavy menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea may experience’.
Whether menstrual leave will be considered in the UK remains uncertain, but there is one thing that everyone agrees on — an individual’s menstrual experiences should be considered proactively within governments and healthcare.
Menstrual leave would be amazing
When my periods started at the age of 14, they were normal. But then in 2020, my periods became very heavy. I bled for all of one year except for 10 weeks. I had two telephone consultations with my GP and was given two pills to try to stop the bleeding and settle my hormones, but neither worked.
One day I collapsed and ended up in A&E, where I was given more medication.
‘Come back in five days if the bleeding doesn’t stop,’ the doctor said.
It didn’t, so I had to go back. But no one was helping me and I was sent home in despair.
I couldn’t exercise when the bleeding was bad or even take my daughter to school. I had to cancel all my work meetings and social events — it was awful.
Finally, I went private and although doctors couldn’t diagnose what was causing the bleeding, they ran tests.
I had three Zoladex implants to stop the bleeding, which eventually worked. Then I had ablation of my womb — a surgical treatment to remove a layer of the endometrium (womb lining), as well as a lump they found in my cervix that no one had spotted before.
Since then I have only bled once. I feel so much better. I wish there was more attention paid to women’s menstrual health. It’s so much more than ‘just’ a few cramps once a month — it can be debilitating.
From Helen Lewis, 42, of Kent