Discussing menstrual problems at your work. Easier said than done. Why should you do it? How to approach it? What holds women back? And how can we make it easier? Five Dutch master’s students conducted research. These are their findings.
(No) coffee machine smalltalk
Just some office chat with your supervisor: the staff outing was super successful. You already emailed the report. Whether you can leave a bit earlier next Thursday because of that dentist appointment. And, of course, that you’re really struggling with heavy monthly bleeding. Or would you rather not say the latter? In the ‘smalltalk at the coffee machine’ category, menstrual complaints aren’t exactly a popular conversation topic…
Still, we should talk more about menstrual problems in the workplace. This is because the lack of openness on the subject leads to increased stress levels (feelings of isolation), higher absenteeism, and reduced productivity among employees. For employers, it results in higher costs, reduced employee engagement, and a lack of inclusiveness in the workplace. Time to put menstrual issues on the work agenda. That’s why five master students at the Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam (the Netherlands) investigated women’s intention to openly discuss menstrual problems with their employers. They did this via an anonymous survey of 141 respondents.
The problem: lack of knowledge and trust
First of all, the reasons given for not doing this: taboos and stigmas (even in 2025, it remains a sensitive subject). A work environment that isn’t supportive and open to it (respondents gave the degree of openness of their work environment an average of 3.29 on a scale of 1 to 5). Lack of knowledge about menstruation-related complaints and their impact on employee functioning (which leads to a lack of understanding and empathy from employers). A lack of knowledge about employee rights. No clear guidelines or support for menstrual issues from the employer. Fear of negative consequences (such as reputational damage or adverse impact on career opportunities).
Enough motivation to keep quiet about cramps and clots at work, you might think. However, that doesn’t help us as a society. Menstrual complaints do have an impact. Just think about gender inequality. And health: 20.6% of respondents to the VU survey said they’ve called in sick because of menstrual complaints. The extent to which menstrual complaints were experienced received a 3.17 and the impact of menstrual complaints on productivity a 2.99 (both on a scale of 1 (never) to 5 (always). The study shows there are two main reasons for keeping quiet about your monthly symptoms in the workplace. Not having confidence in your own ability to talk about menstrual problems and a lack of knowledge about menstrual-related complaints and your rights as an employee.
The way to a menstrual-friendly workplace
On the bright side, a little more self-confidence, knowledge, and openness goes a long way. The master students developed a process model based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), which explains behavioural intentions based on three core components. A crucial condition for increasing employees’ intention to discuss menstrual issues in the workplace, the research shows, is creating support within the organisation. Managers play a key role here in promoting openness and identifying areas for improvement. Employees should be involved to ensure a safe environment in which menstrual issues can be discussed.
After all, talking to your supervisor about your menstrual problems is easier in an open, inclusive, safe and supportive work culture. One with a clear policy, education and information about menstruation (and menstrual complaints). The master students advice a special module for this purpose: Cyclus op het Werk (Cycle at Work). The aim: to create a work environment in which menstrual problems become normal to discuss. As common as, for instance, the weather, traffic jams, and what you did last weekend. Yet another topic for those water cooler conversations.
The research ‘Menstruatieproblemen op de werkagenda’ (‘Menstrual problems on the work agenda’ ) was conducted in collaboration with Period Media (publisher of Period! Magazine) by Tamar Koninkx, Dayna Francisca, Fae Milder, Maaike Spaans and Cécile Dekker, as part of the Media Psychology for Impact course at VU University Amsterdam. The survey won first place twice within the Communication Science master’s programme. Once for the best survey (chosen by professors) and once for the survey with the most impact (chosen by fellow students).
Opening picture: Christina @ wocintechchat.com via Unsplash.
Also read:
We finally need to talk about periods at work, by Katharina Eggert
Is it really that bad?
Menstrual leave. Yay or nay?
Your cycle affects your… academic performance
Period! is an independent, online magazine about all aspects of menstruation. Period! is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. If you’re suffering from medical complaints, always visit your doctor or GP. Editorial articles can contain affiliate links. Sponsored collaborations can be found in the category Spotlight. Do you have any questions? Check our contact page.
