Spain’s Menstrual Leave Reinforces The Importance Of Being Vocal About Our Needs

Have you ever wished you could take off during the painful days of your period? If you did, then you aren’t alone. While listening to one of my regular podcasts, I learned that Spain recently passed a law giving women three days of menstrual leave each month.

I was delighted to hear this news. It also brought back so many painful memories of pushing myself to get to work during those days. I am in my early forties, and you would think I have the whole period thing down by now. But, unfortunately, that’s far from true. 

I still dread those days of the month. My energies are lower, and my body is weaker than usual. All I want to do sometimes is curl up on the couch and nap. 

Yet, like many other women, I have spent countless days putting on a brave face, ignoring physical pain, and pretending all is well. I carried on to work daily, participating in meetings while feeling nauseous. My motivation and emotions would return to normal just a few days later. 

Braving The Pain At Work

Earlier in my career, I was working towards a deadline at work. I was fresh out of school and eager to prove myself. As a result, I had gone through many days of not sleeping and eating well. 

Then when I got my period, the stress, lack of sleep, and weakness took a toll on me. I was walking towards a meeting room, and the next thing I knew, I was on the floor. I had passed out. It was my body’s way of telling me to slow down. 

Even when I took good care of myself, I resented going to the office during my menstrual cycle. Being on my feet gave me back pain. My stomach felt like there was a pit in it. I dreaded going to the bathroom with my handbag multiple times a day. 

The times I had a female manager, I was thankful. I could openly say what was going on without worrying about being judged for my lack of motivation. I was grateful for not having to make up weird excuses. How many stomach upset cards is one allowed to use anyway?

So, when I heard about Spain’s new law, I was overjoyed. It meant the government recognized women as having different needs than men. It meant not fighting nature but having the flexibility to work around it. It meant allowing for a necessary slowdown. 

Always Been A Taboo

I still remember in my early teens when the girls in our classroom shared stories of their first periods. When one of the girls shared her story, I found it surprising that her father had no clue that she got her period. It’s something she and her mother handled, she said. 

As a young girl, many such direct and indirect messages tied period to shame. On the one hand, I was taught in school that it was nothing to be afraid of; it was natural. On another, it was always a hush-hush thing socially.

It’s now 2023, and I realized I still cannot openly acknowledge changes in my body and mood because of my period. Something I have lived with for close to 3 decades now. Most recently, I used the same stomach upset card for why I couldn’t get on a video call with someone. I lay in bed dealing with my cramps while on the call. 

Empathy – An Acquired Trait

My heart hurts a little when I hear jokes about women being moody because of PMS. In my experience, I found that empathy isn’t an obvious trait. It needs to be taught. It needs to be taught to men from the very beginning stages. 

I have explained to my son that I am at 40% capacity during my period. I am tired, and I need him to step up during these days. I told him of the physical changes that take place in my body. 

My son now understands that he needs to be more considerate during those days. He hears his dad telling him to give me space for a few days. What if this consideration extended beyond our home? What if it extends to our workplace, just like it did for Spain and many other countries? 

Few countries like Japan passed labor laws many years ago, so women experiencing difficult periods are not forced to work. It was women who fought for such rights. If we are vocal about our needs, it’s easier to gain empathy toward them. 

Being Vocal About Changes In Our Body

If we are vocal about our bodies as mothers and wives, the men around us grow up to be better husbands and fathers. In addition, they would be more empathetic to their female co-workers.

I hope there will be no awkwardness about discussing period problems one day. Just like discussing pregnancy isn’t awkward, a period talk shouldn’t be different.

It isn’t something to be ashamed of but what makes the way in the body to become mothers in the future. It is a sign of womanhood that’s celebrated in many cultures worldwide.