Women Should Get Paid Menstrual Leave – Doctor

Published: December 5, 2014

1 Min Read

Renowned UK-based international obstetrics and gynaecology doctor, Gedis Grudzinskas, advocates that women who suffer from period pains and don’t feel very well should get a paid leave each month, Daily Mail reports.

“Some women feel really grotty when menstruating. Coming into work is a struggle and they feel lousy. When you feel like that, it’s harder to take pride in your work or perform as well. This is about employers being sensible and aware.

During that period, most women experience psychological and physiological discomfort.

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It would be one to three days each month, separate to sick leave entitlement – it is not sickness, after all,” he said.

Menstrual leave is already reportedly being practiced in countries like Indonesia and Japan.

The practice is said to have emerged in the 1920s and 1930s, when female employees were young, and working conditions were hectic. Due to a lack of sanitary materials for managing menstruation, it was difficult for women, especially those in the transportation and factory industries to cope.

According to reports, “there was also a belief that taking leave while menstruating prevented problems during pregnancy and childbirth, such as miscarriage and premature labour.”