A large proportion of women of reproductive age experience menstrual pain every month, and the problem does not go away when they return to work. It is not just a few hours of discomfort. For many women, menstrual pain significantly interferes with their workday, affecting concentration, performance and psychological well-being.
Despite all this, menstrual pain is often overlooked in corporate culture, leaving women under pressure to function as usual and not show any signs of wear. What are women's experiences and what can companies do to improve the situation?
Menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea
Dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation, affects more than half of women, usually for 1 to 2 days each month. ( 1 ) Sometimes it is a mild discomfort, but for some women the pain is so severe that it prevents them from doing their normal activities for several days each month. In addition to the typical cramping abdominal pain, other accompanying symptoms may occur, such as headache, nausea, dizziness, or vomiting.
According to a Femvie survey, almost eight in ten women experience pain or discomfort related to their menstrual cycle during work hours. Along with bloating and fatigue, painful periods are among the three most common symptoms that negatively affect women’s functioning at work. These figures highlight an overlooked but crucial problem that has a real impact on women’s performance and well-being in the workplace. More than half of the women surveyed also said that pain reduced their productivity, and almost a third had to take time off work due to the discomfort.
"I have very severe pain that is not very compatible with any activity on the first day of my period, and even though I have the option of working from home and more or less flexible working hours, it is very demanding," confided one of the survey participants .
How painful menstruation can affect work performance
Severe menstrual pain is not just an “inconvenience.” In many cases, it significantly complicates women’s normal work functioning. It can affect concentration, performance, communication skills, and physical presence at work:
-
Impaired concentration and general fatigue. Pain in the lower abdomen, head or back can distract from work and reduce cognitive capacity and performance.
-
Emotional swings and increased stress. Hormonal changes combined with pain and pressure to perform can lead to irritability, anxiety, or frustration. Many women hide their problems because they don't want to seem overly sensitive or be perceived as weak, but this often leads to internal tension, which only worsens the overall problem.
-
Physical limitations. Painful periods can make it difficult to sit, stand, or move for long periods of time. This is a problem in both office and physically demanding jobs. Some women experience heavy bleeding, dizziness, or weakness that makes it difficult for them to work comfortably or move around freely.
Stigma in the workplace
Many women face these issues in silence. According to a Femvie survey, 67% of women would not feel comfortable telling their manager that they were taking time off due to menstrual cramps.
These figures show that many companies are still failing to create an environment where women can openly communicate about their health without fear of being belittled or negatively impacted. Silence and persistent taboos mean that the needs of working-age women are often overlooked, as if their menstrual cycle has no impact on their daily functioning at work.
First steps towards good
Simple but empathetic steps by employers can help women cope with their painful periods at work with less discomfort. Flexible working hours, the option to work from home or a short break during the day can help women respond better to their body's condition.
Easy access to clean toilets is also helpful and hygiene needs . Not only for comfort, but also as a prevention of unpleasant and stressful situations. Menstruation often comes unexpectedly; according to a Femvie survey , 62% of women who had to go quickly to buy the necessary products during working hours experienced this.
The ability to reach for a tampon or pad directly at the workplace can be a lifesaver, and not only before an important meeting, presentation or conference. Stress from possible leakage or the urgent search for menstrual supplies are still a common reality for many women. Yet it only takes a little to make them feel safer and be able to concentrate better on their work.
The top 3 benefits that women would appreciate in the workplace, according to the survey, are:
-
Menstrual leave
-
Access to menstrual needs
-
Flexible working hours
Menstruation is a normal part of life, but for many women, every month means a new obstacle to their work. Openness, respect and empathy are the first steps to making women feel safe at work and able to function without shame or pain.
How Femvie can help
At Femvie, we help companies, hotels, fitness centers, schools, universities, and co-working spaces integrate women's health into their environments.
Our services include:
-
Supply of organic menstrual aids (tampons and pads) for employees, students and visitors
-
Educating employees and HR teams about menstrual and hormonal health through workshops and webinars
-
Well-being and inclusion consulting to help build a caring work environment
-
Educational and practical materials for ensuring awareness and prevention of women's health
We believe that women's health is not an individual issue, but part of the company culture. Together, we can create an environment where women feel respected, heard, and supported - every day, at every stage of the cycle.
Interested in collaborating? Write to us at hello@femvie.com
You can download all the results of our research , including specific suggestions for improving working conditions during menstruation, in the PDF document Menstruation and menstrual hygiene in the workplace HERE .
What else can you read on the Femspace blog?
Don't forget to follow us on Instagram , so you can always be the first to know about all the news on the Femspace blog or on Femvie e-shop !
