Unpacking the Lived realities of Menstruation: A Workplace Survey by Equilibrio Advisory LLP

To understand how menstruation affects everyday life at work, and what meaningful support could look like, we at Equilibrio Advisory conducted a short workplace survey with folx who experience menstruation. The survey was conducted with the understanding that conversations surrounding menstrual leave and workplace support cannot be shaped in abstraction.

Participants were invited to respond to the following questions:

On the days that you are menstruating, how does it affect your experience of everyday life, especially in professional/workplace settings?

What does meaningful support from an employer look like to you, when it comes to menstruation?

Read more about Menstrual Leave Policy here.

Table of Contents

Q1: On the days that you are menstruating, how does it affect your experience of everyday life, especially in professional/workplace settings? (Please also feel free to share any personal stories/anecdotes/incidents in this regard, that you feel maybe relevant)

“I was diagnosed with PCOS in my late twenties, so my menstrual cycle itself can be erratic and anxiety-inducing. The physical symptoms of periods are often heavy, followed by painful cramps, and occasionally irritable bowel syndrome. It also leads to poor mental health, leading to mood swings and heightened rejection sensitivity. As a neurodivergent person, my traits often lead to general sensory overload as well. Often during the first couple of days of menstruating, it’s hard for me to sit straight for long hours. It can sometimes be equally hard to focus at work. So I have no other option but to move slow on those days.”

“I feel a little low on energy as well as motivation during my periods. I also tend to procrastinate a lot more in and around my menstrual cycle. I also feel extremely drowsy and have to push myself a little extra to work. Personally, a few years ago, I had extremely painful periods, to the extent of fainting in the college/office and passing my first day only with the help of medicines. I would also skip meals on the first day and would practically not work at all. However, over the past few years, this has not been happening, probably because of regular exercise. However, I still experience pain in my lower body and sitting for long hours, which my work demands, gets difficult.”

“Yes, it does. I feel tired, heavier, uncomfortable especially to sit for hours. I’m constantly worried about staining. There is pain too that I am also navigating then, and it’s so exhausting. By EOD I’m impacted emotionally as well. Very drained and I feel irritable. I remember I used to be a guest lecturer at a college and I would take a 10 hour module every week. Part of that involved day long teaching from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m.. I have pcod and was on medication one time and that day because i was standing for so long – ofcourse, there were breaks but still – by 4.30 I felt dizzy. The students also noticed and I had them take a break. I suddenly felt a gush of blood that was so much and so intense I had to run to the bathroom to do damage control. I had to buy more pads from the canteen, what i had on me was not enough to support the bleeding. I had to wash my clothes in the sink and dry them with paper napkins that were thankfully available in that bathroom. After that I was never was able to do that program again, it was such a deeply horrible experience. I really needed a break that day and I didnt feel like it was a possibility. You’re made to feel like a weak fool for needing support. I have been told innumerable times that ‘its what it means to be a woman’, and we need to ‘deal with it.’ This heavy flow experience has been so constant, even while working from home during trainings i have bled through my clothes because of the pressure of sitting that long in a facilitation space and of course it’s during training so I haven’t had space to address it in the moment. Just sat through. It’s sudden, unpredictable. sometimes weakens me completely.”

“I feel very exhausted and on the days i have bad cramps, i am not able to work productively and feel very tired.”

“With respect to to how I feel during menstruation – I feel low with high emotional turbulence. There are lot of mood swings but unlike a lot of other women who experience a lot of physical lethargy and pain I have generally not experienced. Physical pain and lethargy is once or twice in a year occurance for me.”

“On days of menstruation, I experience a range of emotion and I feel am not able to process my emotions properly, so even a little bit of pressure becomes overwhelming. Little example and context-One of the days my manager had just given simple feedback, no negative criticism, just feedback. But it felt too much that time and later I realised it was because of mood swings due to periods.”

“”I typically experience menstrual cramps on the first and second day of my cycle. While they are not severe, they do impact my ability to function at full capacity. More importantly, I believe that menstrual experiences vary significantly across individuals, making it difficult to compare one person’s experience with another’s. For instance, I had a friend who experienced extremely heavy periods to the extent that she once lost consciousness while alone at home. Fortunately, a neighbour who had access to her house was able to assist her. This was her reality every month until she underwent long-term treatment and saw improvement. I am certain there are many individuals with similar experiences who continue to manage these challenges quietly, which highlights”

“My experience with periods is not just about discomfort, it often feels like my body is working against me. Every cycle brings a different kind of pain. Some days it’s a sharp, unbearable ache in my stomach; other days the pain spreads to my back and legs, making even the smallest movements exhausting. And then there are days when it’s a constant, pounding headache that refuses to go away, making it almost impossible to sit in front of my laptop or focus on anything at all. There are moments when I try to push through, telling myself to just get through the day like everyone else. But there are also days when the pain becomes so overwhelming that even doing the bare minimum feels impossible. On those days, all I can do is lie down and hope for it to pass. I remember how difficult it was at my previous workplace, where my role demanded constant movement visiting courts, attending client meetings, traveling, and being physically present and alert at all times. During my periods, this became incredibly hard to manage. Sitting through court proceedings while dealing with intense cramps or a splitting headache, walking around court halls, constantly being on my feet it all felt like too much for my body to handle. There were times when it made me question myself whether I was strong enough, capable enough to keep up with the demands of my work. And that thought alone was heartbreaking. Because beyond the physical pain, there’s also an emotional weight that comes with it. It becomes harder to stay focused, harder to stay composed, and by the end of the day, I often find myself feeling drained, defeated, and full of self doubt. It’s not just about “”having a bad day””, its about feeling like you are fighting your own body while still being expected to function normally. And that’s what makes working during periods, especially with severe symptoms, so incredibly difficult.”

“As a woman where we are developing and adapting a progressive mindset, since our childhood we are being told continuously to stay in another room when you are in your “Those Days.” For me, it has started from my home, where I was not supposed to touch anything, and sit in a different room until I complete 5 days of “Those Days.” And it was not just me but it all started from my grandmother, mother and even a way back in time. Being a girl of the 20th century I always wondered where we are not allowed to spell out “Those Days” to Periods, Menstruation and even sanitary pads especially in my home. I can’t talk about the workplace experience because I never experienced anything.”

“On days that I am menstruating, I have cramps, which can make it difficult to sit comfortably or stay focused for extended periods. As an individual who doesn’t prefer medication as a go-to option to deal with the pain, I also end up spending time on menial tasks like heating hot water bag. Alongside the physical discomfort, I experience lower energy levels, which directly impacts my productivity. Tasks that I would usually complete efficiently tend to take longer, and maintaining concentration becomes more challenging. I require extra effort to manage both my workload and my physical and mental well-being, making the overall work experience more demanding.”

“I personally do not have a painful or a heavy period . However I have stomach ache periodically . What bothers me most is the PMS . I have mood swings and with my high client engagement role it becomes difficult to regulate my mood for a week or so every month .”

“I have recently been in a lot of pain and cramps during my menstrual cycles. While work is a healthy distraction but at the time focus becomes a challenge. I am also quite irritable before the cycle and and even during. Recently even after the cycle I am at an age where my hormones are constantly changing hence I am experiencing anxiety and sense of overwhelming even after my cycles ends till three to four days. I was able to earlier exercise on the first three days but now moving muscles is painful and frustrating during the time. I refrain from heart or heart talk during this time as I am acutely aware of being extra sensitive , which I am usually not.”

“The second day of my periods can be quite painful with excessive blood loss and cramps which results in loss of energy, drop in focus, low mood and overall productivity being low.”

“So As for the first question, how does it affect my experience? So I also have PCOD, so my cycle is way worse. I mean, I experience a lot more pain than someone would generally do. I mean, of course, everybody has their own different experiences, but PCOD makes it. Biologically even more difficult for me and because we have sitting jobs, right? Most of the time we are working from home and I experience a lot of back pain. And of course, otherwise also I am lethargic, so I just feel like lying down and I don’t want to sit also for long hours. So in a professional workplace setting, of course I don’t feel like working. I and the nature of our work is also such that even though on a general everyday basis I would say that was I am sort of desensitised in terms of not getting very triggered, but because I am I feel more emotional in those times. Sometimes emotionally also it is more taxing in that sense because I am feeling a lot more I guess and so it makes it difficult.”

Q2: What does meaningful support from an employer look like to you, when it comes to menstruation?

“Taking the day easy as much as possible and intermittent breaks as required can be supportive.”

“And in terms of what meaningful support could look like, I think first of all, I would appreciate an honest, I mean an open space where I can just be honest about the fact that I don’t feel like working or maybe today this won’t happen because this has suddenly happened or I am on my period now because of course you can’t predict. There is a general cycle, but because I also have PCOD, my cycle is slightly irregular. So I don’t know, just having that open space to just come out and say it. Because if I have that kind of a hesitation in my mind where I feel like I don’t know how this person is going to take it or maybe they will feel I am lying or maybe they will think I am using it as an excuse or something like that. So just. Just that kind of open acceptance, if that kind of culture is already there where I feel that I can be honest, I think that would be meaningful support where I can just go out and see it. Yeah, I think that’s it because infrastructure wise, honestly, at least from our setting, because it is a work from home setting, I don’t think there is anything anyone can really do apart from really just letting us be honestly on those days.”

“I don’t think mandatory menstrual leave is necessary as it is not a common experience . Everyone requires different support . For me if at home just a couple of hours off on first and day helps a lot . Back in the day when I was working out of office we used to have rest rooms which was super helpful . Also washrooms should have free pads . Managers should be trained and sensitised to not make remarks when menstruating employees take breaks .  Also managers should over all mange work load better so that just a couple of hours off if an employee is not derailing work 😅”

“Just listening to my rant at times and the ability to clearly state that I am menstruating and in pain without the feeling of being judged. It’s a natural process and is not a shortcoming in my view. As a mentor, I would like the women in my team to feel comfortable enough to not work or go easy at the time, as I understand my experience may not be the experience of many woman and threshold for pain agony and mood swings during the time is subjective.”

“For me, one of the most supportive aspects is being able to work from home. This enables me to focus on my physical comfort and make arrangements as per my requirements on those particular days. Additionally, a supportive work culture is also important, which includes flexible working hours. When cramps and low energy levels affect my productivity, I am able to take pauses and short breaks without judgment, managing my workload as well as my physical and mental discomfort. Support would also mean fostering an environment where menstruation is acknowledged as a legitimate health factor, which includes an understanding from managers and/or supervisors when performance temporarily dips or when I require a day or two’s leave and having empathy and trust and recognizing that while I may struggle on certain days, I remain committed to my work and will perform at my best when I am physically and mentally well.”

“Although I never experienced anything at the workplace but wanted to define meaningful support because it’s neither a disease nor any such thing which can be easily taken for granted. As an employer first of all there has to be a comprehensive and effective policy for the organisation along with timely check-ins whether it is implemented properly. An employer, while drafting such policies, must take the opinions of the female staff by circulating forms or online polls, asking the same question about what it means to support them. Taking care of the female staff during menstruation is not a mercy but it’s their right. An employer should organise campaigns for spreading awareness regarding such policies amongst including experiments as machines which gives experience of period cramps, it is not to demean them or to show them how they don’t suffer but a woman does, this should be to realise the importance of drafting and implementing menstrual leave policy. Most importantly, an employer should be able to understand and provide support via small adjustments like, Providing paid leaves, Making arrangements considering the opinions of the female staff, Assuring them that it’s not a privilege but their right, Assuring they won’t be treated as They are being favoured, rather they should feel that they are truly getting support.”

“Meaningful support from an employer, when it comes to menstruation, includes creating an environment where employees feel acknowledged and accommodated. Even something as simple as giving employees the option to take leave when they feel they need it can make a significant difference in their ability to cope and function effectively.”

“May be just understanding this is how it is and not take cognisance of any untoward or non-meant reaction.”

“Support from employer – understanding and giving that me take space to just breathe in and take it slow sometimes. I have an opposite view on the leave policy. So I will restrict my thought to just support from employers in whatever capacity they can that can be leaves, reducing workload, early log out of work from home etc.”

“Leave, sometimes flexibility especially when its work from home. We make space for adhoc tasks and work emergencies I think its important to hold space for worker / employee emergencies too. In terms of office space I feel period products, paper napkins, disposal spaces, a little space to rest and recuperate go a long way. supportive affirmative policies wake it a right and tackle stigma. makes it easier to ask for something if you know you can.”

“My flexible hours and the work-from-home format are really conducive to ease my painful symptoms during my menstruation days. Thanks to open communication with my colleagues, especially my buddies and mentor, I can check in on especially hard days and ask for further accommodations like frequent breaks, or keeping my video off during meetings.”

“I think recognising that everyone has a different menstrual cycle is a very supportive aspect from the employer’s end. Also, the fact that painful periods are accommodated while scheduling meetings, especially internal ones, relieves a lot of stress about meeting deadlines and being actively present.”