How to talk about periods at work: a guide

How many of us haven't heard at least one disparaging remark about menstruation in our lifetime? Little wonder, then, that talking about your period at work – with colleagues or managers – often feels awkward, or even impossible. But why is that? We take a look at how to broach a (still) sensitive subject in the workplace. And if you're after a few simple tips on how to talk about periods at work, read on!

42% of women have experienced shame connected with menstruation, and one in five has endured remarks from a male friend.

Old news? A recent study shows that in 2020, almost half of women in the US suffered negative comments about their periods.

How menstrual stigma affects you

Sadly, the stigma surrounding menstruation is still very much alive in our society, and it shows up in every workplace, whatever the industry. What's that got to do with you? Well, menstrual stigma has an immediate impact when you're a woman working through a painful period: your productivity can drop, your wellbeing suffers, anxiety can creep in. Not to mention cases where you're living with endometriosis or PMDD (to name just two) while trying to strike a balance between severe symptoms and your professional responsibilities.

That's a sign that your colleagues need educating – so they understand that during your period you have a right to dignity and to equal treatment at work. But how do you make prejudice disappear, and how do you get managers to take action? Certainly not by magic… but through honest, open and inclusive conversations.

Here are 3 tips to make conversations about menstruation at work easier and more natural!

1. Call for the right to free period products

Chances are, that time of the month has caught you off guard while you were at work. Yet most companies simply aren't aware that their female employees have a genuine need for access to tampons and pads at work. Why? Quite simply: it isn't a priority. But a lack of access can lead to stress, difficulties and period poverty – and with that, lower productivity too.

The good news: you can make a difference in your own organisation. If you're in a leadership role, provide your employees with free period products every month. If you share a workplace with colleagues, you can ask for it to be stocked with the products you need. How? Start by asking your female colleagues whether they need these products too (women are sure to agree). Then get in touch with HR or your manager by email and explain your request. And don't forget: data and statistics help! 

PS: The requests ENROUSH has received to supply organic period products have come from schools and institutions both in the UK and abroad. And if you'd like them in the washrooms at your workplace too – drop us a line!

If your manager says no, suggest a trial month with free period products, at the end of which everyone involved can give feedback and discuss it. That way, a perfectly ordinary conversation develops about why we need to leave the stigma behind and provide proper menstrual care.

2. Ask for support if you have a medical condition

Your menstrual health should be a priority for you. Because whatever your industry or workplace, your health can affect your performance. And when we talk about medical conditions, we also mean those relating to menstruation – because they're scientifically recognised, even if they often remain invisible. They have an enormous impact on quality of life. Even though these complaints still meet with little understanding at work, which only adds to the stress. 

All the more reason, then, to raise a less comfortable period-related topic: chronic pain.

Beyond the usual statistics on endometriosis (worldwide, for instance, one in ten women lives with the condition), on the duration and intensity of cramps, or on symptoms that can derail an entire working day, conversations can also draw on real experiences. Because you've probably had colleagues who experienced breakthrough bleeding, suffered in silence, or went home early because of severe cramps. 

The concept of "menstrual leave" exists in only a very few places around the world, among them South Korea and Indonesia. But Europe, too, is edging towards recognising a real need among women. 2022 was a landmark year for the Spanish government, which passed a bill granting paid sick leave to women suffering severe abdominal pain. Spain is thus the first European country with legislation of this kind. 

If you feel your manager or HR department isn't supporting you while you're dealing with a menstrual health condition, pain or heavy bleeding, it can leave you feeling isolated and make conversations about the subject feel uncomfortable. One tip: talk to a colleague who will listen and can offer you support at work.

3. How to feel more comfortable when your period starts at work

If your period has ever given you a dreadful, sleepless night before work, you're not alone! A recent study shows that more than 60% of Britons sleep only around 7 hours a night on average, even though most would like at least 8 – and over 75% suffer from exhaustion! Left untreated, insomnia can affect your cardiovascular system and your ability to concentrate. But how do you know whether you're experiencing period-related insomnia? We've written an article about it – take a look here!

Feeling comfortable when your period starts at work can be next to impossible. Not just premenstrual syndrome with all that comes with it, but also cramps and heavy bleeding in those first few hours, can throw your schedule, your meetings and the whole structure of a normal working day into disarray. Which is precisely why it's the perfect moment to make yourself more comfortable and give yourself the care and attention you need – at work, too! 

Here's the simplest tip: get a hot water bottle ready or use a heat patch – and don't hide while you do it. Because that's also the perfect opportunity to chip away at the stigma and shame surrounding menstruation. It's simply an ordinary day in your life, nothing out of the ordinary! Of course, it depends on your workplace too (easier in an office, trickier when you're out and about). You can also spark conversations about menstrual health and wellbeing by inviting colleagues and managers to share experiences and resources around periods and how to manage them. PS: The ENROUSH blog covers a wide range of categories and topics, all with the menstrual cycle in common – ideal articles for starting a conversation! 

And don't forget: even the smallest changes make a difference!