Ever since the Menstruation Benefit Bill was tabled in 2017, legislators have been debating about paid leave for women in the public and private sectors on the days of their period. It became a point of discussion on Feb 24, 2023, when the Supreme Court of India turned down a public interest litigation about menstrual leave for working women and students, citing it as a policy matter.
While some believe it is a ‘disincentive’ that may dissuade employers from hiring women in organisations, others think this is a much-needed policy for women’s welfare. “Menstrual leave should be a basic requirement that any woman should be able to avail for a day or two in a month based on her need. In doing so, she should also have the right to her privacy,” says Vivekananda Paniyala, founder partner and practising advocate of Paniyala Associates, Bengaluru. “The guiding factor for policymakers should be the medical nuance.”
The physiology of menstrual pain
Period pain can be debilitating. “During periods, the uterus sheds its inner lining in the form of period blood. In this process, the body sheds tissues and blood from the uterus through the vagina,” explains Dr Yasmin Imdad, senior consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Kinder Women’s Hospital and Fertility Clinic, Bengaluru.
The blood-shedding happens due to uterus contractions. “Prostaglandins, a hormone-like substance aid in blood shedding by contracting the uterus,” says Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, a gynecologist and obstetrician from Motherhood Hospital, Mumbai. “The contractions create pain and inflammation. Prostaglandin release is directly proportional to the pain. For women who suffer from endometriosis, the pain due to contractions is excruciating.” She recommends pelvic-floor exercises (stretching thighs and pelvic muscles) on non-menstrual days to reduce the pain during the period.
Period pain: not the same for every woman
As the country critiques the need for menstrual leave, it is noteworthy that period pain is not the same for every woman. For Karen Pineiro (33), a program manager at a non-profit organisation in Anand, Gujarat, period pain is tolerable, but it is not so for homemaker Shantala Vernekar (42) from Udupi and Shreelatha S (48) a professor of English from Dharwad.
Pineiro, who has worked with self-help groups for women in Anand, says, “Menstrual cycle is accompanied by symptoms like bloating, cramps, uneasiness and mood swings. For women with unbearable pain, the process of applying for a leave without feeling awkward or embarrassed about it is a crucial concern. The awkwardness is more when explaining it to a male employer than a female employer.”
For Vernekar, the monthly menstrual cycle builds up anxiety in her almost a week in advance. “The need to change pads every two hours as I have a heavy flow and the cramps are debilitating. I would not dare venture out for any menial or household chores during those days and prefer staying near the washroom with the fear that I may stain my clothes.”
Shreelatha says she feels sick during the second day of the period. “The bleeding is heavy too. To be resting on that day is a feel-good factor. It helps me recover. But not everybody has the choice to be on leave due to their varied nature of work.”
The emotional and physical changes during menstruation
Experts in the medical field explain that the physiological changes influence the woman’s psychological health too with mood swings, irritability, depression, anxiety and the like.
“Hormonal changes [low estrogen and progesterone levels] and prostaglandin adversely affect the physical health in women during menstrual flow. Symptoms include cramps, back pain, vomiting and loose motions. These can lead to nausea and low blood pressure. Emotionally they suffer from anxiety issues,” says Dr Siddhartha. Dr Imdad adds, “Fatigue is another common symptom among menstruating women.”
“Those women who suffer from debilitating pain and heavy bleeding, and who also have a choice to rest, are advised to rest,” says Dr Siddhartha. Similarly, Shreelatha adds, “Period cramps and emotional trauma is a monthly affair. Menstrual leave is a much-needed option for working women from varied sectors. This is justified when it is paid leave.”
Paniyala points out “When one experiences mood swings, anxiety and other emotional and physical pain, productivity at work is a huge concern. Why can’t we give women rest when they need it most? It benefits a company in the long run as it enhances efficiency and goodwill.”
Experts recommend resting during pain, mentally and physically for regaining one’s health.
Takeaways
- Pain and symptoms related to the menstrual cycle can vary for women.
- Women who suffer debilitating pain and heavy bleeding are advised to rest.
- For women with endometriosis and other such conditions, medications (prostaglandin inhibitors or anti-spasmodic) and rest can help.
- Experts say that giving rest to a woman when she needs it should be the way forward.
