‘Incapacitating Pain Makes It Hard To Function’: Endometriosis Sufferers Call For Menstrual Leave In Malta
People suffering from endometriosis gave their take on whether women should be granted menstrual leave from work.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that’s relatively individual but often very painful. It happens when the uterine lining (endometrium) grows where it doesn’t belong – outside the uterus. This tissue bleeds each month but doesn’t leave the body, creating scar tissue that can sometimes cause organs to stick together.
The severity of endometriosis varies according to patient but pain during the menstrual cycle is a common symptom. Meanwhile, around 30% to 50% of people diagnosed with the condition may experience infertility.
A recent Lovin Malta survey found that over a hundred women in Malta experienced misdiagnoses. From being told they just had gas, to being criticised for exaggerating the pain, a sore lack of awareness has caused a major toll on women, not just in Malta, but across the world.
Menstrual leave became a topic of conversation in Malta back in February 2023 when Rosianne Cutajar introduced the idea. The next month, a recruitment company introduced 12 days of menstrual leave per year to its female workers. The reaction was mixed, with some welcoming the initiative and others worried it may compound discrimination against women, making them less attractive for employment.
However, Lovin Malta decided to open up this conversation to people with endometriosis because flare-ups commonly occur during menstruation and before ovulation, when oestrogen flare-ups are high.
Out of 171 responses, 150 said yes when asked whether women should be granted annual menstrual leave, 13 said no and the remainder proved unsure.
Reasons why
Unsurprisingly, the most common reason to advocate for menstrual leave is the debilitating pain.
50 respondents to the survey described this pain as “life-altering”, 88 said it was “disruptive”, 29 said it was manageable and only three described it as “minimal”. Meanwhile, 91 people said endometriosis affects their jobs and careers.
“I used to take two days sick leave each month, and sometimes I took vacation leave as my superiors thought that I was abusing the sick leave,” one woman wrote
“I’ve already used up nearly all my sick leave this year,” another person said only four months into the new year.
Girls going to school gave their takes too: “I couldn’t move, and I missed lessons without being able to get a doctor’s note. If this happens every month, why should I be blamed for missing class?”
While some agreed that all women should benefit from this type of leave, others argued that it should be granted if a diagnosis like endometriosis, PCOS and/or dysmenorrhea is present.
Ultimately, among those arguing in favour of menstrual leave the common thread was that, sometimes, the pain is too unbearable.
“I can work with fever, but not during a flare-up.”
“Severe incapacitating pain prevents you from functioning throughout your daily routine.”
Reasons why not
A recurring response was privacy: a couple of respondents do not feel comfortable with their employers having information about their menstrual cycle.
“In my opinion, having to inform your manager that you are taking menstrual leave is a privacy issue. I would not be comfortable sharing that—even though we are living in a world where everything is shared and acceptable.”
Others argued that normal sick leave is adequate and additional benefits aren’t necessary.
Another interesting point suggested that such leave may normalise pain when in reality, people should seek treatment rather than live with it.
“Because pain is not normal for periods. Periods shouldn’t be painful. If they are, there is something wrong—and that wouldn’t be pain management, that would be dealing with a medical issue.”
A common concern among this cohort of responses is that such leave will only add to the stigma and discrimination: “No, because women will be punished or mistreated by managers.”
In fact, a couple of respondents welcomed the idea of similar benefits but through the use of a different label.
Finally, one respondent admitted to be concerned that such leave without regulation would be abused by people who don’t need it.
An expert’s opinion
Speaking to Maria Petra Agius – a gynaecologist specialising in reproductive healthcare, Lovin Malta was told that employers should have these conversations with their employees.
“Experiencing excruciating pain on a monthly basis (or even more frequently) can be quite debilitating both physically and psychologically. It can definitely hinder the quality of life of a woman and her loved ones,” Agius explained.
“Moreover, endometriosis can be associated with other medical conditions. Women who suffer from this condition might need to take time off from work and this might also impact their career progression.”
“Workplaces should be more receptive and aware of this condition to help to reduce the stigma. Employers might choose to discuss this with their employees and help adapt the work accordingly, for example: a woman can be offered to work from home or work less hours when she’s in pain.”
So far, Spain is the only European country with a menstrual leave law and it was passed back in 2023. Under this reform, women and other people who menstruate who have a diagnosed menstrual condition have the right to three days of leave per month, paid for by the state.
Do you think women should benefit from menstrual leave? If so, what should such a policy look like? Let us know in the comments below
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