While significant progress has been made in recent years to increase awareness and understanding of various health conditions, such as mental health, there continues to be a noticeable stigma surrounding menstruation and the symptoms associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) within the workforce.

Despite the fact that menstruation is a natural and unavoidable part of a woman’s life, it is often shrouded in silence and discomfort. An too high number of employees feel hesitant to talk to their colleagues and employers regarding their menstrual health, or to take time off when needed.

In today’s business landscape, prioritizing employee health and well-being has become paramount, particularly in response to shifting attitudes resulting from the pandemic. This renewed focus on overall well-being encompasses various aspects, including menstrual health.

As employers and corporate entities, it is of importance to acknowledge and prioritize menstrual health and provide comprehensive support for women in the workplace. Extensive research reveals that menstrual health issues can significantly affect employee productivity, engagement, and overall well-being.

By actively raising awareness and adopting supportive approach, employers can play a crucial role in dismantling the stigma surrounding menstrual health, help to attract and retain talented individuals, but also cultivates a supportive and gender equity work environment.

In this article, we will explore the effects of menstrual health on employees and organizations as well as discuss strategies for supporting women in the workplace.

Understanding Menstrual Health

Menstruation is a normal biological process that occurs in women of reproductive age. It typically occurs monthly and lasts for a few days. However, each woman’s experience with menstruation can vary. It can be accompanied by various symptoms, such as pain, fatigue, mood changes, and gastrointestinal issues. These symptoms can significantly impact an employee’s ability to work and may result in decreased productivity and well-being. It is estimated that women lose nearly nine days of productivity annually due to period-related symptoms, with presenteeism accounting for most of these lost days. 

Challenges Faced by Employees 

The impact of menstrual health issues goes beyond physical discomfort. Research has shown that menstruation-related symptoms can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and even career setbacks for women in the workplace. Unfortunately, menstruation is still surrounded by stigma and taboo in society and many workplaces. This cultural silence can lead to a lack of understanding and support for employees experiencing menstrual health challenges. Employees may hesitate to discuss their menstrual concerns, leading to feelings of isolation and discomfort. Additionally, the symptoms associated with menstruation can result in absenteeism or presenteeism, where employees show up for work but are unable to perform at their full potential.

Creating a culture of open communication and understanding is vital to address these issues effectively.

Benefits of Supporting Menstrual Health

Creating a workplace that supports menstrual health can bring numerous benefits to both employees and employers. 

By addressing menstrual health, employers can foster a more supportive and inclusive work culture. Employees who feel supported are more likely to have higher job satisfaction and loyalty. A proactive approach, including raising awareness and understanding, offering practical solutions and resources, not only will this help to attract and retain talented individuals, which is particularly important given the current candidate shortage, but cultivates a supportive and inclusive environment but also help women to prioritize their well-being, enabling them to thrive in their careers. This ultimately leads to greater job satisfaction and greater engagement from the workforce.

Moreover, recognizing and valuing the unique needs of employees during their menstrual cycles can lead to increased productivity and reduced absenteeism. 

Practical Steps for Supporting Women Menstrual Health in the Workplace

In this section, we will explore practical strategies and initiatives that employers can implement to promote and support women’s menstrual health in the workplace:

1. Cultivating Awareness

Initiating awareness campaigns to educate all employees about menstrual health is a first step that can lead to greater understanding around the difficulties that may face women (menstrual and abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, mood fluctuations, fatigue, difficulties to conceive, recovering from baby loss…) and affect their experience of life in the workplace. 

Employers can organize workshops, training sessions, or awareness campaigns to promote understanding and empathy among employees. 

Organizing events and initiatives during significant dates such can help raise awareness and foster a supportive environment. Such events help to cultivate understanding and provide guidance on appropriate actions and statements.

Dates to keep in mind: 

– International Day of Action for Women’s Health (May 28)

– Menstrual hygiene day on the same day (May 28)

– Period action day in October (October 14 this year 2023)

– Baby Loss Awareness Week in October (October 9-15 in 2023)

– Endometriosis Awareness Month in March

– International Women’s Day (March 8)

– Health and Wellbeing Day or Week initiatives by companies

-…

It may also open a safe space for discussions. Women will feel more comfortable talking about their menstrual health concerns and seeking support when needed. It often arise that they share common concerns with other employees and create deep bonds that benefits female employees as the organizations.  

2. Providing Comfort Measures

Making reasonable accommodations for employees with menstrual health issues can significantly ease their life – and work performance – in the workplace. 

Menstruation can bring about physical discomfort and emotional changes that may affect productivity and well-being.

Offering flexible working arrangements, such as working from home or shorter shifts during severe symptoms, can enable employees to manage their time effectively. Additionally, encouraging breaks to manage pain can make a significant difference in employee well-being.

Creating a supportive work environment where employees feel empowered to manage their menstrual symptoms will foster loyalty and commitment.

3. Access to Menstrual Products 

Access to menstrual products is a basic necessity for women in the workplace. Employers may ensure that menstrual products such as pads, tampons, and menstrual cups are readily available and easily accessible in restrooms or designated areas.

Providing a variety of options and maintaining a consistent supply will demonstrate the employer’s commitment to supporting menstrual health.

4. Wellness Programs and Support 

Integrating wellness programs that address menstrual health can have a positive impact on employees’ well-being.

Employers have the opportunity to provide workshops that focus on stress management, nutrition, holistic lifestyle and yoga therapy practices designed to support menstrual health.

Moreover, offering access to personalized women’s health coaching or programs can provide valuable insights and personalized strategies for individuals to navigate the physical and emotional aspects of menstruation, as well as the associated challenges they may encounter in their daily work life.

Such initiatives can also contribute to fostering positive relationships with colleagues and nurturing long-term career perspectives.

By raising awareness, providing comfort measures and offering guidance, employers can commit to equal opportunities with actionable initiatives designed to make women’s day-to-day lives easier in the workplace. Creating an inclusive workplace culture that empowers women to prioritize their well-being is not only beneficial for employees but also contributes to increased productivity, engagement, and overall organizational success. 

Remember, even small adjustments and gestures can have a profound impact on an employee’s well-being and productivity.

Get in Touch

If you have any inquiries or need more information about raising awareness regarding menstrual health and supporting your employees, please reach out to us.

We acknowledge that many organizations are only just beginning to explore these issues. However, we hope that by opening our hearts and encouraging honest conversation, we will be able to spread the message and inspire a positive change toward equal opportunities and offering tools and resources to make women’s day-to-day lives easier in the workplace. 

Together we can change the paradigm and create positive change together. 

We believe in opening up possibilities for women by reconciling work and women’s health, ensuring that no woman has to compromise her wellbeing for her career and her career for her health.

We are passionate about providing customized solutions to support women menstrual health in the workplace, offering simple, effective and practical solutions designed to make their daily lives easier. Our services include:

• Keynote Speeches and Panel Discussions: We deliver informative and inspiring talks by experts in the field of menstrual health, addressing topics such as women’s health, hormones, and the impact on workplace well-being. Our speakers engage and educate employees, fostering a supportive environment.

• Interactive and Practical Workshops: Our workshops provide employees with practical tools and knowledge they can immediately implement. We cover comprehensive explanations about women’s health, hormones, and menstrual health. Additionally, we delve into yogatherapy and holistic lifestyle modalities such as stress management, nutrition and herbal remedies…, specifically tailored for menstrual health in the workplace.

• Personnalized 1:1 Coaching Sessions: We offer individual coaching sessions to provide personalized support for employees. Aurélie Maire is an experienced and certified women’s health coach that help people navigate the physical and emotional aspects of menstrual health, offering guidance and strategies for managing symptoms and optimizing well-being in the workplace.

Your personal contact: Aurélie Maire. Direct e-mail: click here.