At a workshop it was stated that 9 out of 10 women experience period pain and that costs the economies billions in lost productivity.
This sentence really stood out to me. We were the cause of loss of billions in lost productivity. Mmh that's not great. Mmh I don't like the word productivity linked to my health. I'm naïve, I know. But I don't like it.
And at the same time, we hear more and more about the menstrual leave debate.
I thought that these two subjects were obviously interesting to link.
So let's do it.
The study talking about loss of productivity
I checked the study that was mentioned to source the cost of our lack of productivity. It shows that menstruation-related symptoms lead to an average 8.9 days of lost productivity per year, largely due to presenteeism. You know? Going to work and just concentrating on not collapsing?
This study was done in the Netherlands and involved a large‑scale survey of 32,748 women and menstruating people (ages 15–45) that showed that 13.8% reported missing work or school due to menstrual symptoms, but 80.7% said their productivity dropped significantly during their period[1].
Let's humanize the numbers
I could just copy paste the excerpts of the study but I feel examples are more telling. Let's imagine Tessa, 17, who faints in class from unbearable cramps. Mélissa, 33, hospitalized 2 times in 16 months for her endometriosis. Mélanie, 37, taking a couple of sick days because she's in her bed with unbearable pain.
We know these stories, we are these stories. And finally there's a study! No! Several ones.
The productivity loss cost exaggeration
Before going into detail about what I think about this subject, I think it's important to point out that yes, these studies document real experiences. But here's where I get critical.
The Dutch study[1] gives us solid data about productivity impact but doesn't actually calculate economic losses in euros. It tells us about days lost, not money lost.
Then there's Australia claiming $14.2 billion per year in economic burden[4]. That's from surveying 1,200+ women, but when you dig into the methodology, it's not exactly clear how they calculated that figure. $5,005 per capita sounds precise, but the math behind it didn't strike me as transparent at all.
Here's my issue: the whole debate takes again the economic side to prove our worth. I get it, we need numbers but the moment we have to justifying menstrual leave, or any sick leave for that matter, through argments such as "billions in lost productivity," we're playing what the worst capitalistic game.
What happens to women and people whose pain doesn't translate to measurable productivity loss? What about those who push through and perform well despite agony?
The research is obviously valuable but using it to frame period pain as primarily an economic problem is reductive. It reduces us to our output rather than recognizing our fundamental right to health and dignity.
When policy and work culture evolve
Fortunately, Europe is entering a new era. In Portugal, Law 32/2025 took effect on April 26, 2025, granting three days of paid menstrual leave per month for people diagnosed with endometriosis or adenomyosis[2]. No monthly doctor's note required.
In Spain, a similar law was passed in 2023, granting up to three paid days per month, and in severe cases even five, with medical certification[3].
For or against menstrual leave?
Obviously this raises a lot of questions. Advocates say that this is finally a recognition for our suffering and it allows people to recover without sacrificing income. However, you can see it coming, critics warn of unintended consequences, like hiring discrimination against women and menstruating employees, or reinforcing stereotypes of unreliability. Nobody is really wrong here.
My 2 cents in this debate
It's not only about menstrual leave. It must go hand in hand with a cultural shift: more open conversations about menstrual health, flexible hours, personalized sick leave, and above all, education in workplaces.
But it's not only about deserving accommodation. It's about changing the paradigm entirely (yup, only that)
I'm lucky because I can decide not to work when I physically (or mentally, actually) can't. Like once a month, I will probably take at least one day off. I will sometimes push through some unbearable pain and if I don't stay in bed those days, it will be one or two days after. Because I'll allow myself to.
And you know what? It's ok. I'm not working for one or two days. But hey, I'm still productive during the days I am aaaand I'm actually in better shape because I took the time off I needed. When I listen to my body and rest when it's screaming for rest, I show up after more focused, more creative, more effective.
This isn't revolutionary thinking. It's basic human logic.
And from there, it's not rocket science: the real shift we need is trust.
Trust that we know our bodies. Trust that someone taking two days off during their period isn't lazy, it's actually smart. Trust that a well-rested, pain-free worker contributes more than someone forcing themselves to show up at 30% capacity.
Companies need to stop measuring presence and start measuring outcomes.
Stop counting hours and start counting results.
This paradigm shift benefits everyone. Employers get genuinely productive employees. Employees get to work with their natural rhythms instead of against them. And society gets to move past the toxic idea that suffering in silence is somehow virtuous.
It's time to change the conversation from "how can we accommodate women's weakness" to "how can we optimize human performance by respecting natural cycles." And it works for men too. Yay 🙌
Why am I talking about this?
Because these statistics and stories point to one truth: you shouldn't have to push through your pain whether due to your endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, PCOS or menopause symptoms.
This is why I'm talking about this. I want Fâmme to exist also to give visibility, solutions, and support to everyone living with cycle‑related conditions that have an impact on their personal or professional lives.
What we can do together
We can raise awareness, share these stories, push for workplace change, and educate employers.
Start conversations in your workplace. Share research with HR departments. And if you feel you don't have the power to talk or strength to talk about this, it's ok. Starting by supporting colleagues who need flexibility during their cycles is already a good beginning.
Sources
[1] Schoep ME, Adang EMM, Maas JWM, et al. Productivity loss due to menstruation-related symptoms: a nationwide cross-sectional survey among 32 748 women. BMJ Open 2019;9:e026186. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/9/6/e026186
[2] Cuatrecasas. "Absences due to endometriosis or adenomyosis in Portugal." https://www.cuatrecasas.com/en/portugal/labor-and-employment/art/absences-due-to-endometriosis-or-adenomyosis
[3] Euronews. "Spain set to become the first European country to introduce a 3-day menstrual leave for women." February 16, 2023. https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/02/16/spain-set-to-become-the-first-european-country-to-introduce-a-3-day-menstrual-leave-for-wo
[4] Women's Agenda. "Untreated painful periods can cost economy up to $14.2 billion per year." January 2025. https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/untreated-painful-periods-can-cost-economy-up-to-14-2-billion-per-year/
The conversation about menstrual health in the workplace is just beginning. At Fâmme, we're here to make sure it continues until real change happens.
