Period Pain on the Job: A Big Problem

Period pain, or dysmenorrhea, describes the monthly cramps and pelvic pain you may experience during your cycle. But it doesn't sum up the disruptions this concern can cause to your schooling or career. Even worse? Many women live in silence with this problem, too embarrassed to discuss "feminine concerns" with their healthcare providers.

Now, Ingrid Harm-Ernandes of Duke Health explains that 1 in 4 women in this country suffer from pelvic problems, yet "Everybody feels like they are alone so they don't step forward and say 'I have this symptom, I have this problem, and can I get help for it?'" As a result, many live for years with undiagnosed conditions that cause their period pain. In turn, studies show that the pain of their cycles can take a major toll on women's ability to thrive in the workplace.

How Period Pain Hurts Your Career

In one Dutch study involving 32,000 women, aged 15 to 45, 14% of participants had to miss work because of their periods at least once in the year.

Scarier statistic? About 4% of the women skipped work or school EVERY MONTH during their cycle because of intense period pain. And, for the women who made it to work or school on their cycle? More than 80% admitted that they were less productive during their cycle because of their discomfort. e

Fibroid-Related Period Pain

Now, this study focused on women with many different types of period pain. Some experienced primary dysmenorrhea, meaning their periods were the cause of their pain. But others experienced secondary dysmenorrhea, when your menstrual discomfort is caused by an underlying condition. And, for many women with secondary dysmenorrhea due to fibroids, that period pain could be accompanied by painful sex, urinary and digestive concerns, and more disruptive symptoms, according to extensive studies.

Luckily, while it can be hard to relieve primary dysmennorhea, our Georgia fibroid specialists can relieve your period pain and other fibroid symptoms with minimally-invasive treatment options, such as Uterine Fibroid Embolization. Ready to reclaim your full work month? [Click here to request an appointment with our fibroid specialists in Georgia. Together, we'll review if you are a good UFE candidate.