Took a sick day for a heavy period, is that a valid reason?

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orionprincess1234@reddit

Why do people feel guilty about taking genuine sick days? I just don’t get it. You’re a human not a robot. It’s ok to be under the weather.

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BirdieStitching@reddit

Because it's drilled into you from a young age, 100% attendance certificates in school, rewards like trips or pizza for meeting it, missing out if you don't hit it.

Then later on guilt tripping by employers and even colleagues.

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sandra_nz@reddit

Also, as women we are often told that period pain is something we just have to "deal with". Usually by another woman.

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AnyOlUsername@reddit

Usually the ones with light painless periods who’ve never had to deal with crippling dysmenorrhea.

It is a spectrum and every woman’s experience is different.

I’m on the mirena coil now and barely had a period in three years and without the hormonal mood swings, it is a god send.

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BlueFlamingoes@reddit

I used to have horribly painful and quite heavy periods. And one day they just became normal painful and quite heavy.

Like they used to be so painful I could barely crawl to the toilet.

I would still try to go to work and then I would just lie on the floor there.

[-]

Oh I recently had this experience. I have bad bad periods- I lose about a pint of blood min per month. I no longer can stay on the pill ,and do packets back to back. I got told to suck it up basically because other women have bad periods. No doubt they do , but enough blood lost to warrant a blood transfusion per month? I think fucking not. Menorrhagia is the name for it and I get extremely dizzy and weak for a couple of days. Take the day off and don’t feel guilty, they would fire you in a heartbeat and not give a single shit about it.

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sandra_nz@reddit

High-five from a fellow back-to-backer!

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BirdieStitching@reddit

That's a really good point

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TheCarrot007@reddit

> 100% attendance certificates in school

Glad that was never a thing in my day.

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ReddereDonum@reddit

I'm shocked by this. I'm a millennial and it was definitely a thing in my day both in secondary and primary school.

We had them for 100% punctuality as well.

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RtHonJamesHacker@reddit

I remember the injustice I felt as a primary school pupil. I'd had an unblemished record, and then had appendicitis late in the school year. I was annoyed because time off for appendicitis isn't subjective like a cold can sometimes feel, but then realised that the whole thing was shit since no one ever asks for a cold or stomach bug either.

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_Yalan@reddit

Millenial too and our school pulled 100% attendance kids up in front of the school to give them certificates and hold them up as great examples of a good students... and how the rest of us just weren't doing our best.

The kids getting certificates fell broadly into two categories: 1. Genuinely good students with stable home support and were able to be supported to attend consistently. 2. Kids where their families didn't give a monkeys and would bring them to school obviously very sick to struggle through, so they didn't have to deal with them.

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Additional_Being_961@reddit

The 100% attendance rewards always pissed me off. Kids with health issues just missed out on even more.

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BirdieStitching@reddit

I was one of those kids, A student but disabled so missed out because of hospital admissions.

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20127010603170562316@reddit

My dad retired in the last few years. He said his only regret was not taking sick days when he could have, he was not rewarded for it.

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BlueFlamingoes@reddit

I because if im sick too many times I have to get a sickness review meeting. Which is supposed to be "how can we make sure we are supporting you not to be sick".

But like I dont have control over getting sick.

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ReddereDonum@reddit

My friend wouldn't go to a cinema one evening because she was like she can't be seen outside after taking the day of sick for period pain. She didn't even want to be seen at Tesco just in case.

As if someone caught her outside and went "Aha I thought you were sick!!?"

99% of people see it that way but for me you can be too sick to work (which has actual standards, expectations, rules etc.) and not too sick for other things.

That's not a contradiction to me. Can't exactly put your head on the table and groan in front of a customer like she can with me lol.

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Lunaspoona@reddit

Completely agree. A quick trip to Tesco to get some painkillers/food is not the same as doing a full days work where you have to be switched on. Same with the cinema, you are just sat relaxing, and if it's too much, you can just leave. You can't just walk out of work.

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fastflan@reddit

I hardly ever take sick days, and when I do it's generally just because I really can't be arsed to work. I go for a nice walk, think of it as a mental health day and return refreshed.

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notouttolunch@reddit

It's people like you who cause the problem that the op has to deal with.

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fastflan@reddit

In what way? If I have 2-3 days per year where I cannot face going in and know I will do terrible work, so take the day off, how is that different to OP taking the day off because they also can't work? Mental health exists too.

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notouttolunch@reddit

This is why you have 28 days of holiday entitlement each year.

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fastflan@reddit

And those are pre-booked. Some people take a day off then they have barely a sniffle and that's fine too.

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kestrelita@reddit

A friend of mine used to have duvet days in her contract, I was envious!

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290Richy@reddit

Yes.

I'm a male and I fully support any law changes than happen to make females feel more comfortable with taking sick days for heavy periods. I reckon a lot are too afraid to call in sick for it and that's wrong.

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Minimum-Television-9@reddit

Thank you guy! My husband sees how bad I struggle on the dreaded ‘day 2’ of each period. I’m a postie so it’s actually hellish sometimes. Besides the pain that leaves you doubled over there are no toilets to access quickly. Royal Mail no longer pay you if you take a day off sick either!!

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steak0132@reddit

Statutory Sick Pay starts from day one from 6 April 2026. Probably only enough for a packet of neurofen .

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YouCantArgueWithThis@reddit

Hell, yes! I had to do that several times during that 40 years of horror. Ah, the good old times when I was bleeding so heavy, occasionally for weeks, that I had to actually wear diapers to have at least 2-3 hours of sleep at night without waking up to a massacre in my bed.

Yes, you can absolutely do that.

I suggest taking iron and folic acid because this causes severe anaemia.

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turdinabox@reddit

Me too! I had to wear nappies for a time too! And OP don't feel bad. I bled so bad I ruined a chair at work and had to go home, I actually wish I'd taken thar day off! Do not feel bad xx

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MissCaldonia@reddit

Yes, I’d say it was. It’s debilitating when really bad.

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wishingwell-448@reddit

If men had periods they would take 5 days off per month. Don't think twice about it.

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Justboy__@reddit

If men had periods it would be written into their contracts.

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Voltalox@reddit

1000%.

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azrael_of_the_grail@reddit

I would

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Amonette2012@reddit

That is so bloody true,

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peanut_butter_xox@reddit

No pun intended? 😂

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Amonette2012@reddit

Oh! Hehe :)

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Acceptable-Split6348@reddit

/r/CasualSexism

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Broccoli--Enthusiast@reddit

I mean they aren't wrong

Work can get fucked

Any excuse not to go in.

Sometimes IV had a bad night's sleep and call in, I really couldn't care less about this place.

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The_Mayor_Involved@reddit

I like my job

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PaulaDeen21@reddit

Oh don’t be so stupid, give over.

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Acceptable-Split6348@reddit

OK, /r/BlatantSexism

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PaulaDeen21@reddit

It’s just not is it mate.

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Acceptable-Split6348@reddit

Yes, it is.

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PaulaDeen21@reddit

It really isn’t, just trying to be a victim. It’s tragic.

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Acceptable-Split6348@reddit

Swap "men" for "women", "gay people", "trans people", or "black people" and maybe you'll understand.

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Crazyh@reddit

Men do seem to fall in to 2 camps.

oh no, a papercut, I'm dying.

or

Huh, my leg fell off, luckily I have another.

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JonRoberts87@reddit

Tis but a scratch

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CNRADMSN@reddit

Not diminishing anyone that call in sick for any reason, no one should feel guilty if they're feeling rough, but in direct response to sometimes how men act when they're sick, when I was 21 I had stage 4 cancer which "started" in Feb and I'd completed Chemo by Nov, I took 18 days off "sick" that year, 12 for chemo and the rest for biopsies and hospital appointments/scans in the run up and directly after, I just sailed through it in relative terms...

I've now got two small children in nursery and I reckon I could comfortably beat that with the amount of germs they constantly bring home!

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OkExternal7749@reddit

Women tend to have stronger immune systems and more pain receptors than men. So illnesses hit us worse and injuries less.

Either way if it ain't gonna kill me I see no need in a doctor and if it is going to kill me - good. (This is a joke... I think)

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Reko2@reddit

That's funny its called man flu not women flu

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jimbobsqrpants@reddit

We can also be both

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EvolvingEachDay@reddit

It’s not wrong though, as a man I know for a fact if men were the ones having periods, it would be common law for men to take 1-3 days off a month whenever it was bad.

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Sale_Additional@reddit

Bullshit, most of the blokes I work with will work through literally anything, one of my workmates even has cancer and he comes in just for the love of the game

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Educational_Sound188@reddit

Women like her would do anything to compare against men. She will try to grow a d*ck as well.

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StrawberryDesigner99@reddit

Men can have periods.

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cb0495@reddit

Yes it is.

I went home early from the other day because my period was giving me a horrible migraine and I could barely stand up from pain

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clbbcrg@reddit

Any reason I don’t want to go in is a valid reason. If you died you’d be replaced before your funeral..

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fv9292@reddit

Not at my work! But not because they care or anything, they're just massively inefficient

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Berookes@reddit

I’ve been doing 2 people’s work for 5 months for this exact reason

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ScottyG1212@reddit

Yes, of course that’s a valid reason.

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IntrinsicPalomides@reddit

Most companies are very sympathetic towards issues like this these days and it is a totally valid reason. If it becomes more common it would be wise to mention it to your line manager/HR, basically whichever you feel more comfortable talking to. See a doctor prior to that if it's troubling you so when you speak to LM/HR you can say you are consulting a doctor about it.

You should feel no guilt just rest and look after yourself.

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-frauD-@reddit

Yes. Any medical reason that makes you unable to work is a valid one. This goes for both physical and mental ailments.

The only people who will tell you otherwise are those who have a vested reason to make sure you take the least amount of sick days as possible, or sociopaths (the two usually overlap to some degree).

The corporate assholes tell us shit like "you should be your number one priority" and "take time to heal" but will be giving you a letter of concern over your attendance if you decide to take one too many sick days. Then they have the nerve to complain when people with disabilities claim every day off is because of a disability related reason. Geez, I fucking wonder why?

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Lost-Knowledge3177@reddit

I love that in my country every working woman is entitled one day of for periods and taking there children for general check ups. It’s called Mother’s Day

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RandomRedditor_1916@reddit

It's dehibilitating and outside of your control. I say absolutely.

Do what you need to do

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Ethan_brooks8225@reddit

You really shouldn’t feel guilty at all. Waking up in that kind of pain is exhausting both physically and mentally, and you did the right thing by listening to your body. Just because periods are common doesn’t mean they’re easy or something you should push through. You deserve rest on days like this. Be kind to yourself your health comes first, always 🤍

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Hcmp1980@reddit

💯

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GanacheImportant8186@reddit

Everyone saying menstrual pain is a reason to miss work - is this is valid then is it also also an acceptance argument that women are less reliable workers?

Because it feels like, all else being equal, an employer would have valid reasons to pick yo person whose biology doesn't require them to take a couple of days of per month. Not trying to ruffle feathers but this does feel like one of those can't have your cake and eat it situations... Obviously under the law you wouldn't discriminate, but individual hiring managers would surely show a preference for males if taking time or for periods became the norm.

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lovesorangesoda636@reddit

an employer would have valid reasons to pick yo person whose biology doesn't require them to take a couple of days of per month.

Except it doesn't because not all women have period pain so bad that they need a day off. Even women who do have heavy periods may not experience significant pain every month and there are plenty of women who don't have periods at all (birth control etc).

You're just inventing a bullshit reason to try and excuse sexism.

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GanacheImportant8186@reddit

If it's as isolated as you suggest, then of course you are correct and it's a non issue.

I was really questioning the impact if this practice became widespread, mainly as I see more and more support for it places like the Guardian. I'm not inventing anything at all, I'm speculating on the likely impact of this becoming a common thing.

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lovesorangesoda636@reddit

People who experience significant period pain are constantly told by doctors and society to just get on with it and accept being in pain. We can't even get proper research done into endometriosis!

I am not overly concerned about this becoming a "thing" as we have the appropriate protections in place to prevent sex based discrimination and also because its not like people need to give a reason for a sick day.

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atomic_mermaid@reddit

Do you think employers who offer good paternity leave are acting against their interests? Or ones who have good accessibility support? Ultimately any business who widens access and support to ALL employees regardless of gender or disability of orientation or religion etc etc will ALWAYS have a competitive advantage against those who don't.

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atomic_mermaid@reddit

You're surrounded by women working and getting shit done who are experiencing menstrual pain every single day.

Not all women get periods, those who do don't all get pain, and an even smaller number of the ones with pain get such serious pain it prevents normal activities. See how your broad brush strokes for "women" has suddenly become a vanishingly small number?

Just like how not all men get IBS or depression or back pain or any other number of serious health conditions that can prevent normal activities. You support the small group seriously affected by health problems, not ban them from the workplace.

Mad, it's like we're all human or summat.

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GanacheImportant8186@reddit

Yes I'm not saying women are bad workers inherently, or anything at all about any individual (female or otherwise)

I'm saying that if one particular demographic starts having a reason to miss one or two days a month then that demographic will start to be seen as less reliable than the other demographic. IBS etc are irrelevant as they don't impact any particular group.

If you're right and it's a tiny number of women who do or would take time off work for menstrual pain, then I totally agree it's a non issue. Statistically not relevant. I raised it as if it becomes common place (and I keep seeing ppl talking about this) and totally accepted as something women do then I do think it will result on women being discriminated against by hiring managers.

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atomic_mermaid@reddit

"then I do think it will result on women being discriminated against by hiring managers."

As opposed to now where it's kittens and roses for women in the workplace?

At the end of the day there's nothing women can do about it even if it was every woman. Do you know what anti-discrimination laws do? One aspect is to re-align the playing field so those in a protected group don't suffer a disadvantage compared to the majority out of the group. So in that case menstrual leave would likely be considered reasonable to apply to all people having periods who needed it anyway.

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grandhighblood@reddit

It’s definitely a small amount. I’m in that category, but none of my friends are. I’m on BC to try and mitigate it a bit on top of dosing up on ibuprofen, but I still get such bad cramps that I can’t walk and have to take one or two days off. Luckily I’m a student, and am fairly likely to go self-employed and work remotely when I do start working, but if I do end up in an office I’m just going to have to take the time off. A lot of the time though this level of disabling pain is correlated with irregular cycles (without BC, I get mine once every 2-3 months) so at least it’s not every single month, but I do usually end up taking a day or two off. My female friends, on the other hand, are able to function perfectly fine when they get theirs. At most they’re in a bit of a worse mood than usual.

Unfortunately you’re right that biology does play a role in people having unconscious biases against hiring women. I wouldn’t say periods are the cause of it because so many women are able to just work through it, but maternity leave is a big one. Companies in countries with less strict anti-discrimination rules like Japan tend to avoid promoting women beyond entry-level jobs because the (often male) superiors expect that they’ll take maternity leave soon anyway.

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GanacheImportant8186@reddit

Thanks for your polite answer, first person who actually tried to respond in the unemotional manner my message was intended!

In the case of maternity, I agree that is a big issue and was what I was thinking about when I made my comment on whether time off for menstrual pain would work against women if it became a common thing. Obviously pregnancy is not something women can do anything about and deserve to be supported through, and yet, if I was a small business owner who had a lot of pressure on me (financial and operational) I, if honest, would absolutely favour a 28-33yo man over a similarly aged and qualified woman due to the disruption and cost mat leave causes. May not be 'right' and is definitely illegal (for a reason), but if putting my business first I think that's just the reality. No easy answers here.

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Heck_@reddit

Weird drum you’re banging here. Sounds like you’ve already reached a conclusion and are now trying to find evidence to support it. Bugger off, mate.

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GanacheImportant8186@reddit

Not really banging a drum. Just seen more and more support for woman taking time off for a routine biological function and suggesting that it may have repercussions. I don't care either way, I'm not a woman nor a business owner and it doesn't affect me.

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Heck_@reddit

Perhaps employers, and others, should be more empathetic to something that affects 50% of the population instead of claiming “women are unreliable”.

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GanacheImportant8186@reddit

That would be nice, but isn't how the world works. Employers employ people in order to generate output, workers who output less because they work less are less valuable to the employer and are less likely to be hired and more likely to get sacked.

Ultimately, you're asking companies to act against their best interests if you're asking them to pretend that sick leave is something they don't need to worry about and should simply be washed away with 'be more empathetic'. Don't shoot the messenger!

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Heck_@reddit

True, but you’re not “the messenger” when you’re tabling stuff like “women are less reliable workers.”

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GanacheImportant8186@reddit

In the hypothetical world i posit, in which women regularly take time off for their periods, women would be less reliable though... That's my point. I literally don't understand how you can argue against that.

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maevewiley554@reddit

Not every woman suffers from menstrual pain. Some months my menstrual pain is fine while others it can be very painful. Also, a lot of men suffer from other issues(chronic illnesses too). They took a sick day. I don’t see how that can be argument for women being less reliable workers. Where do you draw the line?

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No-Jicama-6523@reddit

This is a genuine problem, though concern someone is going to take maternity leave seems to rank higher, even unconsciously, for people making hiring decisions.

Any “random” leave scores badly on things like Bradford score. 12 single days looks worse than 12 days in a row.

What you going to do when you can’t actually work? I’ve had the odd day when I couldn’t stand.

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YouWascallyWabbit@reddit

But not all women have period pain and not all those who do are debilitated by it. Same way not all men have chronic health conditions, or drink to the point of hangover, or are regularly off for any other reason. Some men get ill sometimes, but not all. Some women get ill sometimes but not all. If an employer wants to rule out half the workforce because the employee might get ill then that's more fool them really.

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Bigassbird@reddit

Look at you being all sympathetic by being a bleeding c*nt too!

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Loose_Replacement214@reddit

Of course it is, don't feel guilty about taking a day if you need it.

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Willsagain2@reddit

Would you be going to work if you felt like you feel now and you weren't on? If you aren't feeling fit and well enough to work, you should stay home and concentrate on recovery.

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Nandor1262@reddit

You’ve m not taken a day in ages so it’s fine. If it was a monthly occurrence then someone at your work is going to want to talk to you about it but you don’t need to worry really. Just make sure you take some pain relief for it and do all you can to be back in as soon as you can.

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LiverpoolBelle@reddit

I have endometriosis and for me unfortunately it was a monthly occurrence. They really struggled to grasp it

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Nandor1262@reddit

That sucks I guess in those circumstances a diagnosis and then a fit note from the doctor is what you need

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katie-kaboom@reddit

Of course it's valid. You were in extreme pain to the extent you didn't feel able to work. If you sprained your ankle and couldn't walk would you feel guilty about taking the day off? Of course not! This is no different.

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frymaster@reddit

dude here. If I have a cold, I obviously work from home for "spreading infections is anti-social" reasons, but having a cold, per se, is not a reason not to work. If I have bad brainfog due to fever and insomnia because of my cold, that's a reason not to work, because I should not be making decisions in that state.

If you are in extreme pain, that's a reason not to work, and the cause of that extreme pain is not relevant.

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Whoppa-seagull@reddit

Of course , if you are too ill to work, you cannot work!!

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Whitelakebrazen@reddit

Why feel guilty? You don't feel well enough to work. It being your period is irrelevant.

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dope567fum@reddit

As a man, i would think that is a perfectly valid reason for a sick day.

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Namerakable@reddit

Look at it this way: if it had been stomach-related and you had stomach cramps, had to run to the toilet constantly, and would have your work affected due to potential leakage and urgency, you wouldn't be expected to be in the workplace. The same stuff happens with bad periods.

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BOrdinary01@reddit

Serious reply: This is deeper than just today because I recognise it. You are on reddit looking for someone to say "you are not a bad person for putting yourself first". When you feel better, ask yourself why.

Be kinder to yourself and get some rest.

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stinkface_lover@reddit

Oh I can't stand this kind of psuedo psychoanalysis. Someone doesnt need to examine themselves deeply cause they have a bit of anxiety about an issue that has a stigma around it. I mean ofc someone should take a day off and not feel bad about it if they're having a bad period, but I dont think they need you coming in on an high horse and saying they need reevaluate their entire mindset.

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Anonynymphet@reddit

I didn’t read it as coming from a high horse, but more a place of care. Sure why you’re saying is true online, but this comment ain’t it.

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BOrdinary01@reddit

Giddy up 🤣🤣

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entersandmum143@reddit

All the women in my immediate family have heavy debilitating periods.

I was straight up with primary school that my daughter will need 1st possibly 2nd day of period at home. We worked it out together.

I've received extra days of sickness from my work for the same thing.

It's a full stomach splitting, ovary exploding, back breaking BS. My son is great, if his sister and I are spewing into buckets and skin on fire.....he'll pop down to the shop for more sanitary towels and snacks.

Props to my guy as well. He looks horrified / terrified but cracks on with it.

So many work places are almost neanderthal regarding periods.

Speak to your HR

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Affectionate_Day7543@reddit

As someone with endometriosis. Absolutely

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Public_Bookkeeper885@reddit

Heavy painful periods can be brutal. My worst equalled any sickness and diarrhoea bug I have ever had. Yes this is a valid reason and also go to the doctor because there are solutions

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Fullmoon-Angua@reddit

My old boss used to tell everyone - if you're ringing in sick for a day or two, I don't need to know that you've been up all night shitting through the eye of a needle or heavy flow etc. I don't need to know 'how' you're ill, just that you are.

I liked his way of managing people and afaik he didn't get too many times where people took the piss.

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ReddereDonum@reddit

One of my first jobs had unlimited paid sick days (there were conditions, over 30 days per year and there would be a mandatory "health review") and people were very honest with it.

I took about 10 sick days over the two years I was there if I remember correctly.

There was only one person where it felt like the CEO was getting irritated and it was a woman with chronic back issues.

But ultimately even people with chronic health issues have to work, especially with the way people yap on these days about "too much PIP". So employers will just have to deal.

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YQB123@reddit

Same as a Uni lecturer, he told us to email and just say: "I won't be attending today because I am sick".

That's all that's needed.

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Temporary_Degree_890@reddit

I have endo, it's under control now with the depo injection but I would be in agony for 2 days until my painkillers kicked in properly and I would take it off sick.

It wasnt pleasant to call in sick but needs must.

If your in so much pain you can't work or even focus properly then you should take it off, period or not even headaches etc.

Take the day for you, relax, treat yourself :)

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Pumpkin-Salty@reddit

As a manager yes 100% valid and I hate that you even felt you had to worry about it. We need to normalise women's health and wellbeing as first class citizens.

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Competitive_Cap2411@reddit

I think the problem with men understanding a period is they just think “it’s a period” but women know it’s can actually be one or all of the following- the heavy cramping pains, headaches, interrupted sleep, nausea, having such a heavy flow that you would need hourly toilet breaks/ changes of pants, and many many more! I have always had ok periods the only thing I get is not being able to sleep at all 5 days before so it’s losing a good amount of sleep, my daughter was out riding her bike and was hit by period starting with instant cramps and nausea, she couldn’t even cycle the bike and had to stop on a wall until she could walk it home in tears. I feel sorry for those who suffer because you are expected to keep up normal life activity.

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EvolvingEachDay@reddit

Your body is in so much pain it’s not reasonable to expect you to work, so you must not feel guilty for that. They won’t pay you, why should you feel bad.

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Moop_the_Loop@reddit

It's a very valid reason.

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nfurnoh@reddit

Omg. Really? You came to Reddit to ask this? Who decides if it’s “valid” or not?

It’s valid if you decided it is.

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Wildredheadedgypsy@reddit

Do not feel guilty for being normal. Listen to your body. You already do most things that men do, while bleeding and in pain for a quarter of your life. You are strong and amazing and when you need time off, honour what your body is saying. Do not do that fucked up female thing of feeling guilty for it!

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StaticUsernamesSuck@reddit

Over the years, I've developed an extremely rigorous flowchart to determine whether taking a sick day is "ok" or not. It's a bit of a long read:

1) do I feel shitty enough that I would rather lose a day's pay than go to work?

If yes, it's ok to take a sick day.

If no, it's not ok to take a sick day.

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VitaObscure@reddit

Yes. Absolutely.

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Wildredheadedgypsy@reddit

Yes, its completely valid and your employer should be understanding. As a woman you are doing everything that men do... except while bleeding and in pain for up to a quarter of your time and you need to realise how strong you are. Please work on not feeling guilty for not working when you are extremely unwell, you are not always expected to push through everything. If you are in the US there is limited support for this (I am in the UK where there is more sickness support and support for female related needs). Please don't feel guilty.

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ItAintNoUse@reddit

I can't believe we live in a world where women are questioning whether it's okay to take a day off because you're in severe pain.

Of COURSE it's okay!

This notion that because something is natural and not a condition or health issue (unless you have PCOS, endometriosis, adenomyosis etc. Ofc) that it isn't valid is so ridiculous. Pain is pain, whether it's natural or unnatural it hurts the same, and is equally debilitating. Even "normal" periods without an underlying pathology can hurt like a bitch. Not to mention it's accompanied by fatigue, increased emotional and mental distress, aches, changes in bowel habits, and other hormonal effects.

Ladies and other period-havers, take that day off, and rest up. Don't feel guilty, you have every right.

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misterriz@reddit

Speaking as a man I don't think you should feel guilty.

I manage two women at work and they occasionally take single sick days for vague reasons. They are good workers and I suspect they are doing the same.

I don't say shit about it and tell them I hope they feel better soon.

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No_Antelope_4947@reddit

Heavy period + pain is like being sick. It makes you physically as uncomfortable as having fever and headaches.

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weatherwaxs_broom@reddit

Absolutely. I have had severe periods before and had to stay home as I was soaking through pads. If it's any help to you, the mirena coil genuinely helped me and I don't have periods any more because of it.

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fairysdad@reddit

Yes, it is OK. No you shouldn't feel guilty. Yes it is a valid reason.

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signpostlake@reddit

I'm really lucky because extremely painful periods are few and far between but some of them have caused pain worse than any bout of illness I've had.

If it's ok to take the time off for pain caused by illness, it's ok to take time off for worse pain caused by a period.

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Zerohood@reddit

As a man, why are men commenting on this? We don't have some shared experienced, people need to know when their advice isn't needed, personally after seeing how much it affects my partner, it's mental more isn't done to accommodate this

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Justboy__@reddit

I’m not a woman but if I woke up in extreme pain I’d take the day off. It shouldn’t matter what the cause of it is.

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isitbedtime-yet@reddit

Girl, if a man was cramping and bleeding for five days they would be off for five days. Possibly seeking medical advice each time and whining significantly. Yes, having a period is -natural- but boy can it kick your arse. Don't feel sorry for taking some time off. Like someone else mentioned we are all disposable.

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HirsuteHacker@reddit

Nice sexism, well done.

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murrayflew@reddit

No guilt, no shame, take as many days as you need to feel good again. Your job can and would replace you in an instant, no matter how great a relationship you have with the company/staff.

Sick days are there for a reason, I find it so weird these people who proudly proclaim they haven’t taken a sick day in x amount of years. You’re not going to get any awards or acclaim for that, just will have been forcing your body to work when it wasn’t able to.

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kalendral_42@reddit

You are in pain/sick it absolutely count as a sick day. If you were hung over it might be a bit different (self inflicted, knew you were due at work the next day, etc) but if it is something completely natural/out of your control you should never feel guilty for taking a day off because your in pain/sick/recovering from something

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Dramatic-Doctor-7386@reddit

YES! this needs to be normalised.

If you feel shitty for any reason, take the day. Your employer should expect this and be able to cover for you.

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Polz34@reddit

Where I work (Global Corp) is isn't about 'sickness' it's about if you are 'fit to work' if you are not mentally or physically 'fit' for working then you don't come in. Simples!

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sjw_7@reddit

If the symptoms from your period mean you aren't well enough to work then you should take the day off. Its not your fault and you shouldn't feel guilty.

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bluepushkin@reddit

Very valid. Are you kidding? You feel like shit. Fuck work. Stay home and rest. Get something sweet to eat and take ibuprofen. It helps a lot with heavy periods, seriously.

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Holiday_Cat_7284@reddit

I'm tired of this 'periods aren't an illness' mantra. If something is causing an immense amount of pain, it's making you ill. Therefore you have an illness. Until the medical profession start taking menstruation and menopause seriously they'll have to put up with us taking sick days.

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Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

And if it is consistently causing pain and massive stomach cramps, then get checked out. Endometrosis and its cousins are recognised medical conditions. I ended up having 4 months off work due to hysterectomy for endocrine issues causing really painful periods. If you need an organ removed, then that was an illness.

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Holiday_Cat_7284@reddit

I had a fibroid that caused me to destroy a bedroom carpet at 3am. Stood up and all hell broke loose. It was like the scene out of The Shining. When I called the absence line I could only really describe it as 'heavy bleeding' and I could tell they thought I should come in. I did have to have the fibroid removed about a month later. Still only took two days off. We're preconditioned to feel guilty about this stuff.

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emiliadaffodil@reddit

1000% this

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RipCurl69Reddit@reddit

My missus gets heavy, HEAVY periods and it opened my eyes to the whole thing because obviously, as a dude, I had no idea previously. Like I've ran down to Boots for heat pads and had to ask the ladies behind the counter for advice, absolutely zero shame in doing so.

There's zero shame in taking a sick day for this. If it was my business I wouldn't even consider it worth a day being taken off, just "yeah, come back when you feel that you can" but I understand not every place works like that. They should, though

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z0i2d@reddit

As a guy. I take days off when I get stomach cramps and the shits. Can't be too dissimilar.

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Jayatthemoment@reddit

Any reason you like is valid. You’re not indentured. You don’t even have to explain.

At the same time, there may be consequences, depending on how replaceable you are.

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TheLadyHelena@reddit

Totally valid. You're feeling like crap and you're bleeding heavily. No further questions!

Rest up, eat chocolate, do whatever makes you feel a little better. Hope you're feeling brighter soon x

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PinacoladaBunny@reddit

Yes. You do not need to feel guilty. Periods are massively underestimated, they can severely impact lives and ability to function.

Personally my 20s were hell. One particular month the pain was so severe I was vomiting and passed out at work with the cramps.

Look after yourself today, rest up and hot water bottle!

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likeyournamebutworse@reddit

Never had one so can't comment from experience, but seems like a totally valid reason to me. Don't worry about it. Hope you feel better.

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Embarrassed_Park2212@reddit

Absolutely. I feel your pain, my daughter suffered with horrific periods. She lost the ability to function for 7 days. Sounds dramatic but I kid you not. It has taken years, she 29 also, to find a doctor willing to help her. The only time she got any relief was for 6 months during chemo, when her oncologist gave her a tablet to stop them.

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No-Instance-1728@reddit

My biggest regret when I used to work was not taking sick days when I was sick or semi sick or not even sick but didn’t wanna go in.!! Take the day off. This is YOUR life. Not just a day at work. YOUR life. They will find another ‘you’ but these days are Your life.

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wonkycrochetcat@reddit

You have nothing to feel guilty about! It’s a health issue and being in too much pain to go in is more than enough. Hell sometimes I just need a day off is valid.

I have bad periods with pcos so I get super dizzy. Might be worth visiting a gp if you are struggling with them (not that all gps are equal). Hope you get some well deserved rest

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Sea_Cue@reddit

Of course - if you are not well enough to work then absolutely call in sick. If it is regularly this bad, it may be worth further investigations so you can be supported appropriately by your employer. But you know yourself best - I generally don’t have serious pain in this area but every now and then a bad one comes along.

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Cassie8841@reddit

Absolutely ok! Heavy and painful periods are absolutely a valid reason to take a day off

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Timely_Egg_6827@reddit

Could you have functioned at work? If no, then valid reason.

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Anubis1958@reddit

Yes. As an employer I recognise that this is a debilitating situation that is not under your control. Do not feel guilty for a perfectly natural regular occurence.

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affordable_firepower@reddit

Bloke here.

Damn right it's a valid reason. You are in pain and unable to work.

my guess is that you have dosed yourself up with painkillers and are back in bed, or slumped on the sofa curled up waiting for the world to end. maybe with your favourite dog/cat/blankie

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IansGotNothingLeft@reddit

100% valid. Do not feel guilty. It is not ok to be in so much pain that you can't leave the house.

I have fibroids which cause me to bleed so bad that I have to take medication to ease it, and iron tablets for anemia. You fucking bet that if I'm in pain or bleeding heavily, I'm taking the day off. And I'm also not going to be making up other reasons, my manager gets told straight up that I'm having a bad period. There's no guilt here.

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Material-Water-6892@reddit

I once took a day off cause my trousers were unironed

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LeadershipAble773@reddit

What reason did you give?

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Broccoli--Enthusiast@reddit

That you are sick, you don't have to go into detail or prove anything for up to 7 days before you need a doctor's note

You can tell them literally anything. And of they press hard, just make gorss, exploding out of both ends. But it's really none of their business

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HelloStranger0325@reddit

Please don't feel any guilt. Rest up and take care of yourself. Get the hot water bottle out and the paracetamol in you and feel sorry for yourself on the sofa in front of daytime telly.

Most women get a period every month so we have this feeling of "it happens every month, I can't just take a day off for it" and we get on with our jobs and lives while experiencing cramps and discomfort. So it just becomes normal to us. But even if you don't live with something like endometriosis, every now and then you can get those unbearable cramps. You haven't taken a day off for a long time. You've presumably had periods in that time and you were able to carry on as normal. So you know this one is different. And that's perfectly valid.

(Obviously if it becomes a common occurrence where you're in so much pain you feel the need to take a day off work, you should consider seeing your GP.)

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auntie_eggma@reddit

Of course it is.

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call-sign_starlight@reddit

As an Obs and Gynae doctor I was say you should 100% not feel guilty at all. Menstual issues are a nightmare and can really impact your quality of life. A totally valid reason for a sick day.

I would say if its a recurring issue (like pain, heavy bleeding etc) that you should seek a referral to Gynae Outpatients from your GP. There's no need to suffer when there may be treatment options avaliable - and if you have a good GP (or one with the DRCOG or interest in women's health) they may be able to do something for you in the community setting.

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Upstairs_Hope_2297@reddit

Yes. I once left work early because my period came early and it was heavy. I could not work in that state.

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Broccoli--Enthusiast@reddit

I take sick days because I can't be arsed

Anything is a valid reason, mental health is a valid reason

You don't need to explain yourself or get a doctor's note or anything for a day or two off work

Also make sure you take some sick days every year , if IV not take a sick day in 6 months il just pull one. My team has a lot of older people who are off all the time for appointments and ill health. I want my time off too.

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FandomFanatic97@reddit

I've been sent home from work before when I did cleaning because the physical labour made me throw up due to the pain. Turns out I have PCOS.

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blueroses8000@reddit

If men had periods there would be legal systems in place to make time off completely normal and life in all areas in general easier to deal with it.

You’re shedding from an organ for a week, it shouldn’t be something you’re forced to act like isn’t happening and behave like everyone else who isn’t going through that just because society doesn’t treat it appropriately.

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koalabear20@reddit

youre in extreme pain arent you ???

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LilKittenAngel@reddit

It’s lowkey ableist how jobs are so strict against people not coming into work when they are physically unable to. Some jobs even warn ‘no more sick days’ if you can’t get into work, you can’t get into work…

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greenhairdontcare8@reddit

Definitely a valid reason.

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PresentReindeer9011@reddit

Not feel guilty, of course it’s a valine reason. Rest up with a hot water bottle and cosy blanket. Hope it eases soon

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Puzzled-Job9556@reddit

I generally have little empathy for most things but I have had a number of partners who have suffered with terrible periods - I would support any law that would allow women who suffer from their periods to have time off work.

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MrReadilyUnready@reddit

It's genuinely impressive how the work culture in this country has managed to spin the thought of taking a genuine sick day into something to feel guilty about. Do not feel guilty, it is your right to call in sick.

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Mroldsk00l@reddit

Valid

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jdanes52@reddit

Yes, valid. Make sure you utilise your sick days, they don't carry over.

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sv21js@reddit

If you were in that much pain from anything else you wouldn’t think twice. Don’t worry about it.

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crispsandbeer@reddit

I'm a manager and have people calling in sick with period pains/cramps/menstrual issues all the time. It's perfectly reasonable and they should be looking at what they can do to support you.

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Evening_Procedure216@reddit

I feel you. I used to have awful periods and i’d bleed so heavily and be literally flooding with blood, terrified it would soak through my clothing - which it did every once in a while. Awful.

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WitShortage@reddit

Before I was managing it properly, I had sick days for gout. Lots of people (who I know do not have gout) like to joke about it, but it can be so painful you can't work because you can't think about anything other than the pain and trying to mitigate it.

I am not a uterus-owner, so I don't know what period pain is like, but I can attest that it is possible to be unable to work because of non-illness, non-injury, and that's what sick days are for.

If this becomes a regular thing, please try to get support: not so you can work more, but so you do not have to cope with this pain on a monthly basis.

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rainribs@reddit

i take them all the time as some months my period pain is debilitating and causes me to sweat profusely, vomit and faint

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Nicki3000@reddit

Yes it's completely fine. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. Some people might say they "power through" their period pains, but everyone's experience is different. It's the same way some people have headaches and are able to work through them but to other people they're debilitating.

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atomic_mermaid@reddit

Yes, it's 1000% a valid reason to be off sick.

I've taken a million days off for heavy and painful periods.

If this happens a lot and isn't just a random one-off you should think about getting help for your periods - if they reach the point they impact your quality of life like this something needs to be done. And the medical system makes it difficult to get that help easily, I know, but your health is worth it.

Hope you feel better soon.

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peppermint_aero@reddit

Absolutely, yes. Painful periods can be incredibly debilitating.

If your periods are painful enough that they are stopping you from doing normal things, perhaps have a chat with your GP? You might be able to get more effective pain relief and they will be able to investigate if anything unusual is going on.

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Hannah-may@reddit

Spain give their workers menstruation leave days

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Frankie_Kitten@reddit

I read the title and that alone was enough for me to say yes, it is a valid reason. As someone with PMS which might even be PMDD, I'd always advocate for women taking time off when they have their periods, they can be brutal.

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Amurana@reddit

Completely valid! No guilt required. I, too, have periods that Completely incapacitate me every few months. It doesn't matter the reason (if not self inflicted) - your body is not in a fit state to work. Rest!

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a_dream_of_fyre@reddit

Don’t feel guilty. You’re in alot of pain and periods are a bitch to deal with. 🫶

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Historical_Project86@reddit

If you are unwell, you are unwell, it's a perfectly valid reason.

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Adzx93@reddit

Absolutely! Do not ever feel guilty about taking time off for yourself. You are unfortunately replaceable, your own well being and health should always be a priority.

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Soggy_Detective_4737@reddit

Absolutely a valid reason. Don't feel bad about that at all.

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SavageRabbitX@reddit

Anything is a valid reason

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ZeroFrogsHere@reddit

Never feel guilty for being too sick to work.

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KaidaShade@reddit

You woke up in extreme pain. Doesn't matter what caused it, it's a valid reason to take off

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Thoughtless-Test@reddit

Rest up no guilt its valid your valid

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Anony_mouse202@reddit

Of course it’s valid - If you’re sick, you’re sick. Sick days are for medical issues, and you’re experiencing a medical problem.

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Thoughtless-Test@reddit

Yes its valid dont feel guilty rest up

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Puzzled-Barnacle-200@reddit

Being in extreme pain is definitely a valid reason to have a day off sick.

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ExoticExchange@reddit

Acute abdominal pain sounds like a valid reason

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peepshowsophie@reddit

Oh yes!

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baeworth@reddit

Work isn’t that serious, put yourself first

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kirstytheworsty@reddit

Absolutely!

I’m a Housekeeper in a hotel and had to do exactly the same last month. There was no way I could bend or stretch, when it was hard enough to stand up straight.

As others have said, never think twice about phoning in sick for your own health. We are only human and as women, we are all behind you!

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No-Jicama-6523@reddit

Definitely a valid reason, unfortunately I think it’s still included in sickness scores, but there are campaigns to improve that situation.

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intothedepthsofhell@reddit

You can take a day off for whatever reason without having to explain yourself. I once had a junior member of staff take a day off and he filled in the mandatory sickness form with a detailed description of his IBS.

Mate - it's a formality - just say "nausea".

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Rigasondevil@reddit

The inability to work due to any form of pain & discomfort is totally valid.

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Kapika96@reddit

Was this you? https://www.reddit.com/r/AskUK/comments/1sfn8v3/took_a_sick_day_at_work_should_i_feel_guilt/

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Tanto207064@reddit

It’s a shame you feel bad about this however shows you are clearly very conscientious about work. My wife used to get really bad period pains to the point her body would almost be in shock she would be very weak and pale and she’d have to have some time off. There’s nothing you can do about it.

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