Crystal* has a high-profile job as a top legal analyst, and it is not uncommon for her to spend hours doing interviews and giving presentations. She also meets with judges and area attorneys, visits clients, and burns the midnight oil at her office. That said, Crystal is not unlike most hard-working women in that she is one of the thousands who experience heavy periods each month due to fibroids.
Not only are her periods painful and last forever, but they force her to constantly search for inventive ways to increase protection, avoid embarrassment, and most importantly, stay at work while concealing all stages of her menstrual cycle from coworkers and bosses. Sadly, there is an ongoing stigma associated with workplace menstruation. Sure, menstruation is a normal part of life for women. However, the expectation is largely that you do not talk about menstruation or fibroids at work, and you do not let uncomfortable symptoms get in the way of productivity.
Even if you talk about it, policies to add valuable support and resources are scarce—as women juggle demanding jobs with their health and personal lives. At Fibroid Institute Texas, we believe heavy periods and fibroids in the workplace do not have to be taboo. There are ways we can break this stigma and open the door to more positive conversations, and many employers are also open to change. It all begins with one conversation.
Is Your Employer Supportive of Menstrual Equity?
Good menstrual health prevents sickness and infections, ensures good reproductive health, boosts confidence and well-being, improves quality of life, and fosters increased productivity and access to growth opportunities at work. Unfortunately, not all women have the luxury of easy periods.
A normal menstrual cycle varies for each woman, but it typically lasts between three to seven days and occurs every 21 to 35 days. The cycle is measured from the first day of one period to the first day of the next. A typical menstrual flow is less than 80 ml of blood per cycle, roughly the amount in a small Dixie cup. If the flow exceeds this amount, it is considered heavy bleeding, with each fully soaked regular-sized tampon or pad holding about a teaspoon (5 ml) of blood.
About one-third of women seek treatment for heavy periods, which can include these symptoms:
- Heavier than normal bleeding or clotting
- Bleeding that causes pad changes every 1-2 hours
- Bleeding through your pads or the need to double up with a pad and a tampon
- Menstrual flow with blood clots that are as big as a quarter or larger
- Bleeding through your clothes or bedding
It is irresponsible for employers to think women only deal with these issues on personal time. When women enter the workplace, they carry their menstrual health to work. Unfortunately, there is an overriding belief that they should not talk about it.
Many organizations do not have policies and procedures to have these conversations or provide concessions for an employee who typically struggles during that time of the month. As a result, women with heavy periods are often hesitant to broach the topic with their boss and choose to suffer in silence. They may avoid using a sick day or request extended time off from work during that time of the month. Many choose to show up at work out of fear of being written up or reprimanded. Despite their best efforts, there is no guarantee that they will not find stains on their nice work pants or struggle with pain and decreasing energy levels and productivity by lunchtime.
Women with heavy periods are often hesitant to broach the topic with their boss and choose to suffer in silence. They may avoid using a sick day or request extended time off from work during that time of the month. Many choose to come in out of fear of being written up or reprimanded.
Further complicating the issue is that even the most well-intentioned managers and leaders do not have the facilities to meet their female workers’ unique needs as they manage heavy periods. This includes limited or no access to free or paid feminine hygiene products, soap and water, flexible working hours and conditions, etc.
This is not to suggest all companies (regardless of size or industry) are not supportive of menstrual equity. Here are a few ways employers are becoming friendlier for women with heavy periods and menstrual conditions:
- Providing separate and clean washrooms for woman
- Easy access to free feminine hygiene products
- If not free, monthly stipend to allow employees choice of products
- Sanitary products available in bathroom stalls instead of on the sink
- Proper disposal of sanitary napkins
- The ability for employees to discreetly discuss unique needs with management
- Support for pain management (medications, on-site medical facilities)
- Flexible working hours or work-from-home solutions to reduce absenteeism and improve productivity
- Allowing breaks for medical appointments
- Conducting menstrual workshops and other awareness campaigns
- Flexible workplace policies for time off due to menstrual needs
In a 2022 Washington Post article, one Los Angeles-based company was highlighted for adding “unlimited menstrual leave for people with uteruses” to its lengthy list of perks for new and existing employees. The article quoted the CEO as saying, “Folks just need to let their supervisor know as soon as they decide to take the menstrual leave, and it is an automatic yes. There is not an approval process.” At the time, roughly 60% of the company’s employees had used the policy at least once.
What Can I Do To Spark Change in My Workplace?
While there is a growing push to eliminate the taboo of talking about heavy periods, menstruation in general, fibroids, and other female health conditions, not every company is on board yet.
Here are some simple but effective steps employees can take to create change in supportive workplaces:
1. Talk to your employer
As difficult and awkward as the conversation may be, it is important to make your employer aware of the issue and allow them to address it. Some women might feel they will be met with an immediate kickback from their employers. This is not always the case. Many employers are open to addressing blind spots in their policies and procedures. They simply need to be made aware of them.
2. Provide examples
Implementing change on a large scale can feel overwhelming, even to your employer. Show them examples of what is already being accomplished in other workplaces nationwide so that they know how possible it can be. Furthermore, offer suggestions on how to implement them in your workplace.
3. Approach your HR department
Whether your boss is committed to making a change or not, it is important to let your HR department know and get them involved in creating change.
4. Get other employees involved
Talk to your coworkers and get them excited about sharing their unique situations. The more voices involved, the easier it will be to demonstrate how big the existing problem is and what it might take to create policies that address each of those unique concerns.
5. When in doubt, create a script
Sit down in advance and think about what you want to say, how you want to say it, and when the best time to do it is. A simple script to start the conversation might look like this: “Do you have a few minutes to discuss an important workplace issue? I’ve been thinking about how our workplace can be more supportive of employees who menstruate and give them access to the resources they need, like menstrual products and flexible policies for those who experience severe symptoms. If you are open to this talk, I have a few suggestions that could make a positive difference for many of us.”
Your Heavy Periods Could Be Fibroid-Related
Many women with heavy periods also have fibroids, noncancerous tumors that develop in the uterus. Roughly 80% of all women will develop them by the time they reach 50, which can make personal and work life challenging. Beyond heavy periods, fibroids can be the reason for many uncomfortable symptoms, including pelvic pain and pressure, back pain, urinary frequency, painful sexual intercourse, and unusual changes to a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Every woman’s journey is different, but the solution is the same for many of them—uterine fibroid embolization (UFE). It is important to note that there are several treatment options for fibroids, including surgeries like hysterectomy and myomectomy. However, UFE has continued to stand out as a non-surgical alternative option where blood flow to the fibroids is stopped, causing the fibroids to shrink and die.
Patients are often surprised by how quick and simple the procedure is, thanks to the skill of our specialists who can safely perform complex embolizations. This broad experience allows us to treat even the most challenging fibroid cases effectively. When performed by our team at Fibroid Institute Texas, many patients experience a high success rate with minimal discomfort.
An Answer To Your Heavy Periods: Our 100% Fibroid-Focused Practice
Many women don’t know what is normal or not regarding their time of the month. As a result, they continue personally and professionally, unaware something can be done for heavy periods caused by fibroids. If you think this may describe you, it is a good idea to consult your doctor and determine the best course of action.
At Fibroid Institute Texas, we do not believe you need to decide between suffering in silence and having invasive surgery. That is why we are dedicated to treating fibroids using uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), the gold standard in non-surgical fibroid treatment. Our fibroid specialists stay current with the latest research to ensure that we use the most advanced embolization technology available. Additionally, we continually gather patient feedback and adjust our care process to provide the best possible experience for our patients.
Thousands of women visit Fibroid Institute to find relief from their fibroid symptoms. At Fibroid Institute’s multiple Dallas and Houston fibroid centers, we help thousands of women avoid fibroid surgery and find relief from their fibroid symptoms. Meet some of these women here:
Request a free 10-15 minute phone screening to determine if you are eligible. After the screening, if you qualify for UFE, you can schedule your onsite or telehealth consultation. Most major medical insurance providers cover the cost of UFE.
We are dedicated to helping you become #FibroidFree. Get started now in Dallas by calling 214-838-6440, in Houston by calling 713-903-3733, or complete the form below.
This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Prior to starting any new treatment or if you have questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider.
Fibroid Institute Texas serves the Dallas and Houston areas including Addison, Carrollton, Plano, Frisco, Craig Ranch, McKinney, Allen, Fort Worth, Grand Prairie, Hurst, Euless, Bedford, Arlington, Hutchins, Irving, Duncanville, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Cockrell Hill, Highland Park, University Park, Park Cities, Garland, Mesquite, Richardson, Dallas, Sherman, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Clear Lake, The Woodlands, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, and more.
*Patient names and/or photos may be changed to protect patient confidentiality.