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How many of you call in sick to work or don't go to school when you get your period? I sometimes do, and it makes me feel like a chump.In fact, I'm sitting on my couch right now, heating pad in hand, pain meds in reach. But part of me definitely feels like I'm contributing to the "women earn less than men because they don't work one week out of the month" thing -- know what I mean?
But when you're sick -- whether it's the flu or you feel like your uterus is in a boxing match with your ovaries -- you're sick.
This being a women's Web site and all, it's easy enough for me to say "I'm PMS-ing. I'm in pain. I'm throwing up. I'm working from home today." But what do you do if you have a male boss, or don't work somewhere that's as understanding?
Commiserate in the comments. (And if you have a good trick for getting rid of cramps from grandma or something, I'm all ears.)
Erin Scottberg is community editor at Lemondrop.
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Thursday 13 August
By Rie
I can kind of understand where you're coming from about taking the sick days...mine are usually so bad that I throw up (which has happened the past two months) and it gets to a point where I have to take a strong dose of Ibuprofein to sleep it off. I don't bother with the heating pad any more because that triggers the upset stomach and nausea and actually makes me vomit. Usually I'm lucky and start either after school or on weekends and it's only that bad on the first day. I've actually learned that tampons kind of help dull the ache away but other than that, nothing else really helps or works. It gets to a point where I can't even sit up any more. So I'd just say that if you need me, call me and I'll do whatever I can to help but other than that, I'm useless for today.
Tuesday 15 December
By Leah
Well I just calle din yesterday with killer cramps. My manager responded to me with first a text, stating that another girl wa sout, so i would need to come in anyway. When I let her know I couldn't do that (I do hair and can't do it in the fetal position) she left me a message advising me never to "call in with cramps" again. Only to call in when I'm "truly sick"! This-from another woman no less!
Not sure if she was just having a bad day and having to reschedulle a bunch of pissed off clients, but I was in shock.
I am one of the only people that work there that go above and beyond whenever I see the chance to. Then I'm treated like this! WTF?!
Monday 10 August
By Stephany
im 18 years old and for the past 4 or 5 years, every month, i endure the worst pain of my life. It starts to be so unbearable i liteally grab a knife and crave digging it into my stomach bcuz i start to think it will feel better. (never did it) Nothing helps. I have tried everything from basic meds, birth controls, to vicodin. I spend at least 3 days every month cuddled up in the fetal position in full blown tears. My fiance tries his hardest to help, and i appreciate it so much, but there is nothing he can do but comfort me. I've seen a doctor about endometriosis, he told me i had no signs of it. So what im trying to understand, is why he can just tell me no and send me on my way. If i dont have it, why dont you get off your fat lazy ass and fix whatever IS wrong with me.
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Monday 10 August
By IsisOfGremlins
Trick to help with cramps - get some Tiger Balm and rub a small amount on your abdomen where the craps are, works great for lower back pain too. Tiger Balm is similar to Bengay or Icy Hot, but it's a little expensive, but a little goes and long way and it is worth it! You can find it in a drug store or online like Amazon.com or Drugstore.com. Hope this helps!
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Monday 10 August
By Alise
If it's that bad & you need the time off, then take it. Otherwise, buck up & deal. Women have had to deal with "feminine pains" long before the 21st centruy. We're just SO USED to the comforts of popping a pill, regulating our cycles, giant needles in the back that the smallest disruption can somehow warrant a day off.
And it's not like I'm speaking out of turn. Not only does endometryosis run in my family, but mittelschmerz does too (extremely PAINFUL ovulation...which I have). Redheads (well, natural ones...which I am) tend to bleed the most in any circumstance & now recent research says we're more intollerant to pain than other hair colored people. I've passed out from my cycle's pain, but I know part of being a woman is embracing all the things that go along with it. And at the end of the day, do I know I am stronger in almost every way than any man? You bet I do.
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Friday 30 September
By Angi
As a Manager and a woman, i'm annoyed when someone calls in sick with cramps. I've seen staff come in who have slipped disks, broken arms, one employee who's fighting cancer and is on Chemo and doing Radiation. they all come to work, I'm understanding when the pain is too much. but calling in every month? with cramps? I agree go to a doctor! we don't have the benefit of sick days, or PTO in my industry, and most of my staff only works part time 3-4 days a week for less than 8 hour shifts. I've worked with bronchitis and walking pneumonia at the same time. having cramps so bad that you stay home is not the same as a cold, menstruation doesnt just pass like a cold, it comes back every month. missing 8-14 days a year due to that sucks up all your sick days.. what happens if you get the flu? for most entry lvl positions that exceeds the allowed amount of sick days per year.
Monday 10 August
By BMay
I'm eighteen. I personally never had bad cramps.......and admittedly, will skip school just for not getting enough sleep (I have NO self control), but if i had a job i would at least ATTEMPT going if i was in pain. I usually just grin and bear it when it comes to ANY kind of pain........I agree with those who say "Go to the doctor". Go to more than one if they can't find a healthy solution. If the cramps are bad enough for you to miss work, than miss away! To some people, it's like throwing your back out every month. (I've found that some people DO throw their backs out as often as once a month, mainly men.)
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Wednesday 12 August
By ash
I know that some women have worse pains then other, my cousins cramps get to the point were she can't even move and she needs something stronger then midol, For me it's pretty bad the first day I need actual pain meds not the wimpy midol. Then after that I can deal.
So I usually will hold out but every once in a while I'll just take the first day off. Theres nothing wrong with that. Most men can't relate, unless you tell them imagin your getting kicked in the balls repeatedly for a whole week straight.
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Thursday 13 August
By Erin
Anyone that hasn't had to opt out of or struggle through some commitment, whether it be work or school, has no idea how debilitating period cramps can be. When you feel like someone has taken a large sharp butcher knive and is repeatedly stabbing you from your butt all the way through to your bellybutton, you have no choice but to stay home. It is excruciating and embarassing trying to sit at work doubled over in pain. Some women are lucky enough not to suffer from severe cramps and it doesn't affect everyone the same. I have never met a boss who wanted to know WHY I called out sick. Male or female, my bosses keep it on a need to know basis and never question how sick you really are.
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Friday 14 August
By suzie q
I believe in this day of information, men should be more aware of what comes with not only the monthly menstrual cycle, but the challenges it presents. I happen to have fibroid tumors, non-malignant, but have already faced the knife once and now trying acupuncture, chinese herbs and yoga not to be cut open again. My own doctor indicated that 1 in 4 to 5 women have them. But there is little $ in Congress to fund studies/research for such common maladies. Yet there was plenty for licensing Viagra. I agree with an earlier point-every man should have his period just once. They would ask for help, sympathy and whine since women do have a much higher pain threshold.
Friday 14 August
By Emma
My opinion to a male boss (or any male) is "No uterus, NO OPINION!!!!!!" When it feels like your uterus is about to fall out, then you are sick. Let me kick you in the balls and see if you want to go to work!
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Monday 24 August
By Katrina
Until I started taking Yaz BC Pills, My periods were awful - AND they still are sometimes. When I was a kid, I had to occasionally miss school, I've missed big events - friends weddings, parties, other things. I know that I was always told - "well, if it's normal for you..." So, I thought I was normal, I wasn't. I have had several issues: endomitriosis, cysts, tilting uterus, and then cervical cancer. I also have a blood disorder that makes my periods heavy. My doctor told me that due to "what was normal" for me, I would have probably never noticed the increased symptoms of the cervical cancer until it was too late to do anything about it.
If I really have to, I'll call in sick - but I do agree that if you should do this in good conscience. If you really don't feel like being there, don't go. You really aren't doing anyone any favors. If you are a good employee, missing a day a month or working from home once a month will not damage your career or your job.
(My biggest related issue though occurred a few months ago when I had a yeast infection so bad I couldn't stand to sit down - I was so embarrassed calling in about that one and kind of beating around the bush about what was wrong with me, it might have seemed like I was making it up.)
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