Many of us have life altering cramps, here are a few questions about this.
Featured by EdenFantasys
Time off during heavy days or Menstration VS Laziness
Discussion Topics
1.
Do you think...
(31 posts)
2.
When you are on your period....
(19 posts)
3.
Generally speaking, how bad are your cramps monthly?
(18 posts)
Women should be allowed to take a few days off during the heavy days of their period?
03/26/2012
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I'm torn on the issue. On the one hand, it's very easy (even as a woman) to be quite cavalier about it. But, I do know women who suffer during that time pretty badly. It's crazy how their bodies seem to turn on them and I think that it should be considered on a case by case basis with recommendation from a physician on allowing time off. Or at least being a little more lenient when they do miss days. The other part of me says that this is one of the repercussions of wanting equal opportunity to be in the work force. It's unfair balance for men, because they have to legit request time off or pre-schedule doctors appointments and surgeries well in advance and make sure everything's covered, but a woman can just take off because she has cramps? And she gets maternity leave? If I were a guy, I'd be pretty upset by that.
03/26/2012
Torn between them as well.
03/26/2012
It really depends on the woman...before my fibroid surgery, I could overfill an overnight pad in under 45 minutes! After the surgery though, my flow was much better!
03/26/2012
It probably depends on the person. For someone like me who has relatively few issues and only mild discomfort, there is no reason to take off work because of it. However someone like my cousin who would feel so sick that she vomited every time she got her period, I can see letting them have a partial or full day off, but I still think that several days off every month is unreasonable unless they are willing to make up the time during the rest of the month.
03/26/2012
I know some women with REALLY bad cramps where they CANT get out of bed from the pain. i know this isnt the case for most women but a few days off would be nice
03/26/2012
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This is my dilemma... due to my condition, it is physically impossible for me to waitress without crying from pain or taking frequent breaks squatting down and rocking myself in the back room.
Originally posted by
ECU Pirate
I know some women with REALLY bad cramps where they CANT get out of bed from the pain. i know this isnt the case for most women but a few days off would be nice
I think I may have even lost my job over this today.. I went, but I couldn't handle it.
03/26/2012
I think they should provided they have, like, a doctor's note or something saying that this is a recurring problem.
03/27/2012
Personally I have never had cramps or a flow so bad that I can't do normal everyday things, but I know women who are tortured by theirs, so I'm kind of iffy on this.
03/27/2012
Only on recommendation of a doctor. Otherwise you're just asking for Human Resource repercussions. HOWEVER, that being said, the reason anyone is granted leave should be strictly kept between the supervisor and the employee. Human Resources major over here, sorry
03/27/2012
I think it would be really easy to exploit. But there are days where I can't get out of bed. I've been able to call in because of it because my boss is really understanding. It's a tough call.
03/27/2012
Being one of those women who has cramps right before, during, and after, I am all for it. I would say in order for it not to count against us, there should be some kind of Dr letter noting what is going on. I can see it being an issue though for women getting hired. There are days though I can hardly get out of bed due to my period.
03/27/2012
I had a gal friend in high school taht had irregular periods (like 1 a year) but during the time she had it, she was bed-ridden because she bled soooooo much. I think for those that have issues shouldn't be penalized.
03/27/2012
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I was about to suggest this.
Originally posted by
wildorchid
Only on recommendation of a doctor. Otherwise you're just asking for Human Resource repercussions. HOWEVER, that being said, the reason anyone is granted leave should be strictly kept between the supervisor and the employee. Human Resources
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Only on recommendation of a doctor. Otherwise you're just asking for Human Resource repercussions. HOWEVER, that being said, the reason anyone is granted leave should be strictly kept between the supervisor and the employee. Human Resources major over here, sorry
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My cramps are very slight but I have known women whose periods seem to hit them like the flu. If I was in charge and saw one of my employees rushing to the bathroom and doubling over in pain I'd probably tell them to go home anyway.
03/27/2012
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Sadly, too many doctors don't understand menstrual cramps. I have found female doctors worse about this than man doctors. In medical school, or before, a lot of women who have health problems are weeded out by the strictness and the need to be virtually pain free and the type of person who carries on no matter what.
Originally posted by
GONE!
I think they should provided they have, like, a doctor's note or something saying that this is a recurring problem.
A LOT of female doctors figure, "I have to go to work during my period. Why is my patient so special that she doesn't?" I have seen some of the worst treatment of women surrounding female issues and pain BY female doctors.
IMO, having to have doctors weigh in and "make the decisions" about who has the worst pain (as pain is very subjective) is a VERY bad idea. I work with doctors every day, so I know how they think....
03/27/2012
I'm torn, as women we worked very hard to be treated as "equals" in the work world. So to me it's not fair to be able to turn around and take a day off "because of woman things"
On the other hand I know how bad menstrual cramps can be and how debilitating they can be fore some women. I used to get horrible ones that would leave me curled up in a ball.
That being said I think that that sort of pain is un-natural and indicates that something is wrong and needs to be treated. Whether it's a change in diet, living style or going on the pill or other medical treatments. I think we as women pass it off as "just that time of the month" and we need to be more empowered to say "No this isn't right, let's do something about it"
Think of it this way, you would never just let some pain in your leg go on and on, why do we do that with our periods?
On the other hand I know how bad menstrual cramps can be and how debilitating they can be fore some women. I used to get horrible ones that would leave me curled up in a ball.
That being said I think that that sort of pain is un-natural and indicates that something is wrong and needs to be treated. Whether it's a change in diet, living style or going on the pill or other medical treatments. I think we as women pass it off as "just that time of the month" and we need to be more empowered to say "No this isn't right, let's do something about it"
Think of it this way, you would never just let some pain in your leg go on and on, why do we do that with our periods?
03/27/2012
I think there are some extreme cases that can debilitate someone. During mine, I'm especially drained. I guess it is the hormonal change.
03/27/2012
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I understand what you are saying, but often diagnosing and treating things like endometriosis is difficult, time consuming and expensive. My endo treatment cost thousands of dollars, so many Americans don't have health insurance, and they may not have access to proper medical care or be able to pay for it. I had chiropractic, herbs, all kinds of "treatments" and nothing other than having laproscopic surgery, medications and then an other pregnancy and then breastfeeding that baby (which kept my period away for more than a year) really helped.
Originally posted by
NurseKitty
I'm torn, as women we worked very hard to be treated as "equals" in the work world. So to me it's not fair to be able to turn around and take a day off "because of woman things"
On the other hand I know how bad ... more
On the other hand I know how bad ... more
I'm torn, as women we worked very hard to be treated as "equals" in the work world. So to me it's not fair to be able to turn around and take a day off "because of woman things"
On the other hand I know how bad menstrual cramps can be and how debilitating they can be fore some women. I used to get horrible ones that would leave me curled up in a ball.
That being said I think that that sort of pain is un-natural and indicates that something is wrong and needs to be treated. Whether it's a change in diet, living style or going on the pill or other medical treatments. I think we as women pass it off as "just that time of the month" and we need to be more empowered to say "No this isn't right, let's do something about it"
Think of it this way, you would never just let some pain in your leg go on and on, why do we do that with our periods? less
On the other hand I know how bad menstrual cramps can be and how debilitating they can be fore some women. I used to get horrible ones that would leave me curled up in a ball.
That being said I think that that sort of pain is un-natural and indicates that something is wrong and needs to be treated. Whether it's a change in diet, living style or going on the pill or other medical treatments. I think we as women pass it off as "just that time of the month" and we need to be more empowered to say "No this isn't right, let's do something about it"
Think of it this way, you would never just let some pain in your leg go on and on, why do we do that with our periods? less
I've not seen anything "lifestyle" that does a thing for endo. I suffered from it for years, and still have flare ups from time to time. I've had surgery, I have had Depo Provera (and being on it nearly destroyed my marriage) and even with insurance and the access, it is often difficult or impossible to eradicate all or even most of the pain.
03/27/2012
Quote:
Dear Lordisa, I wish I were you.
Originally posted by
Various
Personally I have never had cramps or a flow so bad that I can't do normal everyday things, but I know women who are tortured by theirs, so I'm kind of iffy on this.
03/27/2012
My cramps are pretty god-awful, but normally medicate-able-to-funct ional all but two days. Perhaps there should be a way to emergency-swap days off for cramps, so we're not being unfair to the boys?
03/27/2012
I don't see any reason not to use your regular sick days (if you get them) for cramps, just like anything else. The thing is, if workplaces allowed extra time for that, they'd have to allow it for everything. I have crazy severe allergies, but I can't imagine ever getting extra time off for them.
03/27/2012
I used to get cramps that would keep me from functioning, so yeah.
03/27/2012
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I don't view menstruation as a curse nor an affliction that should mandate a law stating that just because a woman is menstruating that she cannot perform her job when she is required to. It should be a case to case basis. In a perfect world a woman would have the opportunity to take a day off when she is having a hard period but this would be used to justify discrimination against all women...and that is a spurious claim.
Originally posted by
Badass
Women should be allowed to take a few days off during the heavy days of their period?
I have never called in to work because of a hard period day even though I was for quite a long time medicated for my cramps. A day you are unable to work for whatever health related reason is a sick day...if you find you need a few sick days every month then you really should seek a solution that won;t impact your life every month.
04/05/2012
If it is seriously that debilitating, I would expect the woman to file FML paperwork and use the same sort of time off that somebody with a chronic illness would need. I don't see any reason to claim "oh- I'm a woman" as being a legit need to take time off. That opens things up for a lot of abuse and also does damage a lot of the credibility of all the fights for equality ("I can do anything a man can do except for five days a month when I need special treatment").
04/07/2012
If you have a day you can't crawl out of bed then don't. If you are working for a jerk that doesn't understand a sick day; then find another job.
04/07/2012
Personally? Nah, I can deal. For others, it depends, but I can see not going to work because of horrible cramping.
04/07/2012
I'd agree that it would make sense to get time off at no expense, with a legit doctor's note. I don't think it would ever happen though. I get terrible cramps, and at worst, all I can do is curl up in a ball. I can manage it well though, luckily.
04/14/2012
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my wife has such bad cramping and physical pain that she has to take pain killers. I have seen her doubled over and throwing up because of the pain. Its pretty bad. I would definitely say that if they have some sort of doctors note to back up the level of pain and physical issues, that they should be able to get the time off without penalty
Originally posted by
Badass
Women should be allowed to take a few days off during the heavy days of their period?
04/14/2012
Sometimes my girlfriend has such bad cramps she has to lie down with her hot water bottle all day. Its just like being sick really...
04/14/2012
I have let my managers know that I was simply too sick to work and gone home early or worked from home thanks to the vomit-inducing pain of cramps.
That said, if one is ill and cannot work because of it, then he/she should not be at work. But I don't think medical issues related to menstruation should be treated any differently than other medical issues. Whether that means getting pre-approved by a doctor to miss (just the same as someone with migraines, weakness from some medication, pain from any disease, etc. might) or that means taking sick/vacation time like others who suffer must, then so be it.
That said, if one is ill and cannot work because of it, then he/she should not be at work. But I don't think medical issues related to menstruation should be treated any differently than other medical issues. Whether that means getting pre-approved by a doctor to miss (just the same as someone with migraines, weakness from some medication, pain from any disease, etc. might) or that means taking sick/vacation time like others who suffer must, then so be it.
04/14/2012
I have one day where I am so uncomfortable and sick...the first day of my period
04/28/2012
Total posts: 31
Unique posters: 28
are you significantly more lazy?
03/26/2012
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I find that I'm more organized in general and more motivated to tackle tasks that are daunting or challenging when I'm on my period.
03/26/2012
I'm not "lazy" during my period. I often have significant pain and severe fatigue. "Laziness" has nothing to do with it.
03/26/2012
I don't get my period on the Depo shot. But I do get some of the symptoms and I don't want to do anything but lay in bed.
03/26/2012
Like P'Gell said, we aren't acting lazy during our periods, we're just extremely fatigue and weak due to iron deficiency.
03/26/2012
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I didn't mean to offend, I meant more so "moving from my fetal position makes it hurt worse, so I'm just going to stay here in bed" type thing. Not "eh, im bleeding and hate life so ima be a couch potato today"
Originally posted by
P'Gell
I'm not "lazy" during my period. I often have significant pain and severe fatigue. "Laziness" has nothing to do with it.
03/26/2012
Nope. I am just as lazy as I am normally. I am a bit more stubborn about it, though.
03/27/2012
Quote:
Exactly this.
Originally posted by
P'Gell
I'm not "lazy" during my period. I often have significant pain and severe fatigue. "Laziness" has nothing to do with it.
03/27/2012
No I am not. I have 2 kids so life goes on regardless.
03/27/2012
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I agree with P'Gell, not lazy. In pain and fatigue.
Originally posted by
P'Gell
I'm not "lazy" during my period. I often have significant pain and severe fatigue. "Laziness" has nothing to do with it.
03/27/2012
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Oh, honey. That isn't your being "lazy!" You are in significant pain! (I didn't realize YOU had endo until I just read the other thread.) You are NOT lazing about, you are just trying to get through the pain.
Originally posted by
Badass
I didn't mean to offend, I meant more so "moving from my fetal position makes it hurt worse, so I'm just going to stay here in bed" type thing. Not "eh, im bleeding and hate life so ima be a couch potato today"
I feel so bad you are suffering so much. Don't let ANYONE tell you you are being "lazy." Endo pain is severe and can rival labor pains, (I've done both) I hope you find a good doctor who will do a good laproscopic procedure on you soon.
It does help. It may not cure your situation all the way, but it might. It will however, help the situation greatly.
Hugs and thoughts for healing.
03/27/2012
the first few days yes
03/27/2012
I try not to skip work, but end up drained and hurt-y by the time I'm home, so I defiantly let housework and workouts slide so I can go be dizzy and cranky in privacy.
03/27/2012
I'm a bit more tired, but that's all.
03/27/2012
I get really physically weak. I try to put off doing demanding housework, and I wouldn't plan a full day of shopping or anything during my period.
04/07/2012
I have had days that the flow was so heavy and the pain so bad that the bathroom and the bed was all I saw. And trip between the 2 was unbearable.
04/07/2012
Only slightly.
04/07/2012
I get soooo sleepy. So yes.
04/14/2012
Quote:
Honestly, there's never time to just relax and be lazy!
Originally posted by
Badass
are you significantly more lazy?
04/28/2012
Total posts: 19
Unique posters: 17
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being UNBEARABLE and 1 being I barely notice.
03/26/2012
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I am so glad I don't get cramps no more.
03/26/2012
The first day of my period I would say 1-2, just a slight discomfort. After the first day though I don't have cramps at all. I am lucky I guess.
03/26/2012
Some people who have periods (and some men have periods too, don't forget them!) experience really bad cramps and sometimes sickness with their periods. In cases like that a day or two off of work would be excusable.
03/26/2012
My cramps mostly just make me think I have to pee.
03/27/2012
Sometimes my cramps are so bad, they make me nauseous. I have medication that I take on an as needed basis. If it ever got so bad that I needed time off work, I would get a doctor's note.
03/27/2012
I don't really get them and never had. I get hormonal migranes though so that compensates for the lack of cramps.
03/27/2012
My cramps are unbearable. I cannot tell you how many times I have thrown up or passed out due to my god awful cramps. The past few periods haven't been too bad though! I must have done something right.
03/27/2012
The first few days are pretty terrible!
03/27/2012
Still hate the cramping, can't wait for this to be done with.
03/27/2012
mine get so bad ive had to go to the hosptial before for pain meds in the middle of the night. i get headaches that are so painful along with the cramping. i get dizzy spells i get nasious its horrible i hate it.
03/27/2012
Just short of the throwing up levels some girls get. I've got dizzy spells and curl-up-in-a-ball pain for 3-4 days un-medicated, or with the help of some heavy-duty anti-inflammatories about 1.5 days of horror. It's still un-fun with pain killers, just not debilitating.
03/27/2012
About an 8, so pretty bad.
03/27/2012
I usually forget I even have my period. (My health sucks in other areas, though, so don't get too jealous.)
03/27/2012
I usually have one or two cramps that are between 4 and 6, and the rest are closer to 2 or 3. On rare occasions, I have an 8 or 9.
03/27/2012
That is such a hard one to put a number on. Now that I don't have that problem anymore, I ranged from 3 to more than 10 during that part of my life. If the High numbers are constant, you should find out why from you GYN. Mine were the worst when I was having some minor problems.
04/07/2012
Only about a 4. My cramps usually are pretty noticeable the first day or two but then they just stop.
04/07/2012
I don't have cramps. But I am sleepy the whole time.
04/14/2012
Total posts: 18
Unique posters: 18