IN the past, I have done a few articles on the menstrual cycle, but I think a “few” is never enough. There should be many articles not only from me, but also from other writers who are just as passionate about social change. Biologically speaking, periods on a whole are quite natural and innate to women and some, including women themselves, avoid these conversations because they are somehow taboo and unnatural in some cultures. There was a post on Facebook that caught my attention and it read, “Period cramps should be taken as a valid reason to be absent. Girls have different levels of pain tolerance when it comes to this, and having to show up to school or work can awfully be too much stress for us—and that’s just the physical pain we’re talking about…”

Reading that post resurrected old memories from my subconscious of my high school experience and menstrual cycles. Dysmenorrhea — or better known as ‘period cramps’– is pain that arises on your lower abdomen before and mostly after you have got your period. In my experiences, it has been the worst of physical pain. I can barely cope with my cramps and when this happens, most of the times I am told, “you’re faking it”; “every woman has their periods, what makes you so special”; “bear up,” and the list goes on. I could have barely concentrated on my school work and was quite frustrated. Some days in school all I wanted to do was to curl up in a ball and cry. During class sessions such as Physical Education, periods weren’t always accepted as an ‘excuse’ to not run/engage. I can understand why everyone won’t be able to accept periods as a valid reason to not engage in certain activities and that is because of the misuse and abuse of it. Some girls in school deliberately used their periods as an excuse to not engage in the day’s activities, even to some of the most understanding teachers; that puts us girls who actually need the time off at a disadvantage because, just as anything else in the world, periods and us women are generalised in this sense.

Angie Mooto, a well-known social media activist on social issues and events stated her opinion on this topic by saying, “I work in a hotel with the set-up crew, we’re normally doing manual labour for about six-eight hours and being the only woman on the team it’s already difficult trying to present myself as an equal in a male-dominated space, even more so when I’m on my cycle.” She continued by saying, “I get really nauseous to the point of being physically ill and paired with cramps, sometimes it’s impossible to just ignore it and push through. So some days I have to call out sick and they get ridiculously upset because not only do they not understand the extent of what’s happening, they don’t care to. My excuses always seem flimsy and frivolous (because of course women “overreact” when they’re on their periods, right?) which adds to the stress I’m already under. It makes me look like I’m just taking a ‘cop-out’ for work. It’s beyond exhausting, so like all women, I either have to risk looking ‘flaky’ to my superiors who won’t care to understand my situation, or endure and persevere.” Like Angie, many women feel the same way and I hope that this article inspires all who are reading– both men and women.

When I used to go to my high school sickbay because of my cramps, I must admit that I felt a bit of guilt inside me for staying away from clas, but it wasn’t guilt that I acquired on my own, but from other people and their opinions. Apart from cramps, there is also the emotional turmoil we face, the anxiety of not knowing if there are stains on your light-coloured clothing—the endless cycle of disconnection between women and their bodies. While having your period is no excuse to run from work or school, or to use the symptoms of emotional distress to ‘lash out’ and be mean to others, it is also important to note that we should be given more credit than what we’re already receiving for progressing through our periods, even though we’re unwell because of it. I urge women to always look out for each other and I urge males to be more empathic towards women in these times. If you’re already doing that, then you must know that I am filled with gratitude for you. Keep up the constant conversations and education of these topics and to my fellow women, never discredit somebody else’s experience because yours seem ‘fitting’ and okay. As the post on Facebook said, “every woman has a different pain tolerance.” There’s much to be said, but I do hope all teachers, lecturers, employers, supervisors and even parents take note of this topic. Is it a valid reason? YES. Should we be given time off because we’re not well? YES. Lastly, always remember ladies—glow through your flow!