Should women get extra paid leave to cope with their periods?

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http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12209467-29277,00.html

― RZW, Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:00 (twenty-one years ago)

It seems like a reasonable idea - esp. for those women who have particularly severe discomfort - although I wonder how most women would feel about the idea of having the whole office keeping tabs on their menstrual cycle.

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:08 (twenty-one years ago)

god yeah, how scrutinised would it be? i imagine this could cause a different kind of discomfort for some.

― Alienus Quam Reproba (blueski), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:16 (twenty-one years ago)

Seems strange though to designate special extra days for period pain. If you're sick, you're sick, and you should take a sick day, whether it's because of bad period pain or a dose of the flu. What about people who get bad hayfever in summer, should they be designated extra hayfever sick days, etc., etc. It sort of strikes me as an identity politics move.

― RZW, Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:19 (twenty-one years ago)

i want paid leave for whenever a storm's coming and the air pressure gives me a migraine.

― stockholm cindy's secret childhood (Jody Beth Rosen), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:21 (twenty-one years ago)

seems like a unique thing tho (albeit shared by millions, or at least thousands in the 'JESUS CHRIST THE PAIN! FUCK YOU ALL' stereotype way) that you can't really compare to allergies and whatnot. i figure it can only really apply to special cases and backed up with medical consultation/documentation of some sort.

― Alienus Quam Reproba (blueski), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:22 (twenty-one years ago)

I Think just increasing the number of sick days would take care of this issue for everyone with a specialized medical condition (after all, not every woman has severe period discomfort and I used to work with a guy who could have used extra time off to deal with his eczema).

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:23 (twenty-one years ago)

men should get to go into work 15 mins late so they can have the time to wank off their boners in the morning

(kidding)

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:23 (twenty-one years ago)

OTM

― Hurting (Hurting), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:25 (twenty-one years ago)

"Hurting"

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:27 (twenty-one years ago)

Ken you might have something there. I'd probably be less distracted at work.

― Andrew (enneff), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:27 (twenty-one years ago)

If it's fair to reward women with extra time off to women because of their bodies, is it fair to penalize them for their bodies too?

I thought this had been settled already...

― mei (mei), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:39 (twenty-one years ago)

"Congratulations, Jessie! Since your uterus is trying to shoot out of your ass, you get an extra day off!"

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:41 (twenty-one years ago)

This is such BS.

― C-Man (C-Man), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:41 (twenty-one years ago)

Sometimes I worry about your grasp of anatomy, Dan.

― Andrew (enneff), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:42 (twenty-one years ago)

Hahahah I can't believe I just posted that.

Nice to see you brandishing yet another one of your well-reasoned arguments here, Calum.

― Andrew (enneff), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I can't believe you just posted that, either!

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 10 February 2005 14:47 (twenty-one years ago)

It’s stupid because all these Dworkinists have said that women are the same as men and blah blah and they are not – and men are not the same as women and we should embrace that. So women, having been given their equal place in the work environment (which is correct, of course, because discrimination is bollox) now turn around and want different treatment after all so it seems you cannot win now.

― C-Man (C-Man), Thursday, 10 February 2005 15:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Who the hell says that every woman wants this? It's no different than other special circumstances (migraines, whatever), because most women's periods aren't that unbearable. I do have a friend who gets debilitating cramps sometimes. There's another story I could tell about having to take the day off, but it's too gross to share in mixed company.

― Yr3k (dymaxia), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:07 (twenty-one years ago)

Feminists have been a bit more nuanced than that, Calum. After all, is maternity leave 'special tratment'?

― Miles Finch, Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:09 (twenty-one years ago)

PAH ON UR BABY

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:09 (twenty-one years ago)

It’s stupid because all these Dworkinists have said that women are the same as men and blah blah

"Dworkin 9 'til 5
What a way to make a livin'"

― Angus Muldoon, Fife (Dada), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:11 (twenty-one years ago)

It just seems to me that most folks want to have their cake and eat it nowadays.

― C-Man (C-Man), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:12 (twenty-one years ago)

and time off after to digest it....

― D.arraghmac, Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:13 (twenty-one years ago)

"cake"

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:14 (twenty-one years ago)

i know it's pointless to try to use any sort of logic with calum, but just wanted to point out that there's tons of various schools of feminism, and assuming that the women's movement in general can be summarised by one woman is really quite silly. the 'sameness' feminists have as many arguments to support and descredit their theories as 'difference' feminists. but whatever. i'm sure i just think that because i only shag rich ugly men with big cocks. oops, i mean cars.

(several xposts)

― colette (a2lette), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:14 (twenty-one years ago)

Equal but different. So it's about allowing women/disabled people/everyone the same OPPORTUNITIES to do their job as anyone else, and that may well mean different treatment. Ie. adapted IT equipment or maternity leave or whatever.

I don't think period leave is necessarily a vital thing though, can you trade it in for cash if you don't suffer with your periods?

― Archel (Archel), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:15 (twenty-one years ago)

"Trade in your menses for CA$H!!!"

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:17 (twenty-one years ago)

my friend works at a place selling computer games, almost everyone that works there is a 'geeky' guy. they have an (unofficial) policy of having a day off if someone pulls the night before.

Ha ha, you've got to be kidding. They must be suffering from work exhaustion by now.

― Angus Muldoon, Fife (Dada), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Periods shcmeriods. If more women put out to nice guys instead of squaddies and jocks then the world would be better. C.F. That Chris Rock stand up about how women like gits and it's true. Except my gf who made the right decision. Of course.

― C-Man (C-Man), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:19 (twenty-one years ago)

At my college there was a 'tampon levy' on the accommodation bill. Because tampons/sanitary towels [i can't remember if they provided both or what] are an extra expense for 50% of the population that should be shared by all. It wasn't uncontroversial, but in this case I don't think many girls took advantage of the scheme, it seemed a bit... I don't know, but it wasn't a hit.

― Miles Finch, Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:19 (twenty-one years ago)

haha we had something similar like that at my old job!! I worked at a repossession company and we would get a bonus day off whenever we receive a letter of compliments from the debtors!

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Periods shcmeriods. If more women put out to nice guys instead of squaddies and jocks then the world would be better

c-man finds miracle cure to period pains!!

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:22 (twenty-one years ago)

ooh that sounds peculiar when you read it out loud..

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:23 (twenty-one years ago)

New C-Man - not only does he not feel your pain, he doesn't care about it either

― Angus Muldoon, Fife (Dada), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:24 (twenty-one years ago)

That Chris Rock stand up about how women like gits and it's true. Except my gf who made the right decision. Of course.

So she left you?

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Assuming that she even existed that is?

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Ha ha (xpost)

Ha ha

― Angus Muldoon, Fife (Dada), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Except my gf who made the right decision. Of course.

ha, now my boss thinks i'm mental because that made me laugh at my computer and we're the only people on this floor...

(xpost, sean c OTM)

― colette (a2lette), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:30 (twenty-one years ago)

calum, try having a uterus. nobody's asking for an extra 12 days off so they can stay home and have wild "my vagina is bleeding" parties.

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:31 (twenty-one years ago)

well, maybe i've generalized.

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:31 (twenty-one years ago)

"Dworkinists" probably do

― Angus Muldoon, Fife (Dada), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:32 (twenty-one years ago)

I'd say no generally but occasionally yes in specific cases. I can't imagine anything worse than encouraging people to overstate their ailments but I know several people who have incapacitatingly bad days during their period where making them come to work would adversely affect their job satisfaction and possibly that of those around them.

wild "my vagina is bleeding" parties

This made me chortle.

― Michael White (Hereward), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:33 (twenty-one years ago)

This thread is gold.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:37 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm going to be a bleeding vagina for halloween

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Prince Harry beat you to it last week

― Angus Muldoon, Fife (Dada), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:46 (twenty-one years ago)

I think this idea is a bit silly because why does it have to be a separate leave, it should just come under sick leave.

Coincidentally, my wife is at home with cramps right now. She's taken the day off sick. What's the problem with that??

― Colonel Poo (Colonel Poo), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:47 (twenty-one years ago)

No problem at all, obviously, unless yr wife is a "Dworkinist", in which case someone is likely to have a big problem w/it :-/

― Pashmina (Pashmina), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:48 (twenty-one years ago)

"Only Wimmin Bleed"

― Angus Muldoon, Fife (Dada), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:49 (twenty-one years ago)

-- Miles Finch (poptha...) (webmail), February 10th, 2005 11:19 AM. (link)

this is bullshit.

― he does guitar with his mouth lmao mint (ex machina), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah that is bullshit, but then so's having to pay VAT on tampons as they are a "luxury item". (is that still the situation in the UK?)

― Colonel Poo (Colonel Poo), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:51 (twenty-one years ago)

Auch I’m only joking and winding you lovely chaps up. Yes, it should be covered by sick leave. End thread.

― C-Man (C-Man), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:52 (twenty-one years ago)

it's not bullshit as in 'untrue' certainly.

xpost

― Miles Finch, Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:52 (twenty-one years ago)

Auch? As in Lord Auch? (xpost)

― Angus Muldoon, Fife (Dada), Thursday, 10 February 2005 16:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Women should have to subsidize my fucking mach 3 razor blades

― he does guitar with his mouth lmao mint (ex machina), Thursday, 10 February 2005 17:04 (twenty-one years ago)

What's wrong, one blade not good enough for ya?

― Angus Muldoon, Fife (Dada), Thursday, 10 February 2005 17:05 (twenty-one years ago)

if you fuck your razor blades you're gonna get a few days off sick anyway

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 10 February 2005 17:08 (twenty-one years ago)

AHA!

--BUT WOMEN NEEDS RZAS TOO!
--NO, THAT'S A *SOCIAL CONSTRUCT* MAAAAAN
--AHA BUT SO IS THE TAMPON!!!!!!!! DYS!!!!!!!!!!!!
--ECT INTO THE LONG STUDENT UNION NIGHT....

― Miles Finch, Thursday, 10 February 2005 17:09 (twenty-one years ago)

Auch I’m only joking and winding you lovely chaps up. Yes, it should be covered by sick leave. End thread.

How tender!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 10 February 2005 17:11 (twenty-one years ago)

i like how jon williams is 50 posts behind c-man.

― ken c (ken c), Thursday, 10 February 2005 17:11 (twenty-one years ago)

I think there are some hippie goddess-worshippers who probably have 'my vagina is bleeding' parties.

― Yr3k (dymaxia), Thursday, 10 February 2005 18:06 (twenty-one years ago)

Women should have tampax/ pons provided by the government for free IMO.

― C-Man (C-Man), Thursday, 10 February 2005 18:11 (twenty-one years ago)

You misspelled "pompoms".

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Thursday, 10 February 2005 18:39 (twenty-one years ago)

heh, my coworker just advocated this the other day. every gal i know takes off a day every/other month for this. which basically takes up all your sick days. one friend of mine went into shock from it about once every year or 2. which involved an ambulance and such. some people take heavy hormone doses (ie. the pill) just to counter-act this. though i guess there are theoretical arguments either way, i wouldn't exactly protest this one.

as for the constant resurrection of andrea dworkin, i don't think anyone (feminists or otherwise) has take her seriously since the 80's, except maybe to reference feminist victimism gone wrong.

― lolita corpus (lolitacorpus), Thursday, 10 February 2005 18:59 (twenty-one years ago)

every woman you know takes off a day every month or so for their period???? for real?

― Allyzay Dallas Multi-Pass (allyzay), Friday, 11 February 2005 01:25 (twenty-one years ago)

THis is a bit odd because it is an Australian company, and unless Toyota are ripoff merchants most Aussies already get 5-10 paid sick days a year as it is! I know a lot of women who've had to have time off now and then for the pain, as they suffer with endo and suchlike. But who'd want a special leave type? "Hi can I have my diahhrohea leave today please".

The story is a slight beatup anyway as the leave was one SMALL portion of an overall package that included super and childcare payment cover, which was conveniently glossed over.

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 11 February 2005 01:50 (twenty-one years ago)

FWIW I have had to take sick leave for this issue maybe twice in my life, when I got really bad and was vomiting and doubled over and all that shit.

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 11 February 2005 01:51 (twenty-one years ago)

well, most people i work with have mentioned it, and others people's reactions seem to be 'oh, i know, that sucks'. and i've done it. maybe not *every* month. but it seems pretty common.

though i suppose it's weird to single out period pain if it's not a given with all women, i mean diabetics can use this too or anyone with a recurring condition that is higher maintenance. but i don't think it makes for a big free fun day reward since it usually just involves squirming around with heat packs in messy pain trying to fall asleep.

― lolita corpus (lolitacorpus), Friday, 11 February 2005 02:04 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah that is bullshit, but then so's having to pay VAT on tampons as they are a "luxury item".

same in australia, we have to pay gst on tampons as a luxury item. which i think is outrageous. are we supposed to wash and reuse strips of cotton or something? notable, there is no gst on mach iv razors.

i have never needed to take sick leave because of my period. but i've never really had cramps or whathaveyou from it either so i can't speak for others.

― gem (trisk), Friday, 11 February 2005 02:17 (twenty-one years ago)

We have to pay tax on tampons/pads in the US, too.

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Friday, 11 February 2005 02:20 (twenty-one years ago)

i don't begrudge paying tax on actual luxury items, but i find it odd that a lot of sanitary/personal hygiene items are gst-free (soap, toothpaste, razors etc etc) as they are considered essentials. tampons/pads aren't essentials?

― gem (trisk), Friday, 11 February 2005 02:24 (twenty-one years ago)

i wish i could take the day off. a bleeding, throbbing vagina is a surefire way to cut down on my productivity.

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Friday, 11 February 2005 02:27 (twenty-one years ago)

gem, guess not!

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Friday, 11 February 2005 02:28 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah guys, learn about free bleeding, geez.

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Friday, 11 February 2005 02:41 (twenty-one years ago)

http://www.myvag.net/blood/free/ roffle!!!

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Friday, 11 February 2005 02:42 (twenty-one years ago)

IWSS Security Event (proxy3)
Access to the URL http://www.myvag.net/blood/free/ is currently restricted because it belongs to the Company Prohibited Sites category group.

― gem (trisk), Friday, 11 February 2005 02:44 (twenty-one years ago)

guess we won't be getting paid bleeding days here then!

― gem (trisk), Friday, 11 February 2005 02:44 (twenty-one years ago)

this is a fantastic (?) idea for a protest! everybody free bleed until they remove the tax from feminine hygiene products!

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Friday, 11 February 2005 02:50 (twenty-one years ago)

yeah there are stickers advocating that on the back of all the doors in the ladies' loos at my uni. 'bleed for australia' they say. they're quite old though as it's from before the gst came in, that was in 2000 or something.

― gem (trisk), Friday, 11 February 2005 02:55 (twenty-one years ago)

I guess I kinda do free bleeding now and then and didn't even think about it! If I'm on the last day or so of mine, I often go without, it never seems to matter too much.

But on that site she says:

It suddenly occurred to me one morning that I am already, in fact, quite a shamelessly free bleeder. Up until then, I had considered myself just lazy about product refreshment schedules. I tend to go productless in the bath and shower... [snip]

Um... hi, who the hell wears a tampon in the bath?!

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:21 (twenty-one years ago)

That said, thats a great site, it'd be marvellous for young girls.

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:23 (twenty-one years ago)

who the hell wears a tampon in the bath?!

i wear tampons constantly from the start of my period till the end. so... me i guess.

― gem (trisk), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:25 (twenty-one years ago)

Period leave. Australia is my new favorite country.

No constant tampons for me!

― Orbit (Orbit), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:26 (twenty-one years ago)

i wonder if they'll put it in the drop down menu of the HR intranet page.

please select:

annual leave
days in lieu
study leave
sick leave
parental leave
red leave/bloody leave/uterus in a spin cycle leave

― gem (trisk), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:28 (twenty-one years ago)

OK I mean I'm not exactly prim and proper about these things and have a tendency to forget to put in new tampons after I take one out if my period is light, but seriously, isn't there a comfort issue involved here in what this girl is talking about??? She's bleeding heavily enough to leave streaks all over her thighs! It's got to be really uncomfortable, this free bleeding thing.

― Allyzay Dallas Multi-Pass (allyzay), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Heh.

Now all we need, Australians being Australians, is "hungover like a dead dingo" leave and all will be well.

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:30 (twenty-one years ago)

Ive free-bled like that at night time before, I have a weird thing about having to wear product too often. It is a lot less messy than it feels, which I think was her point. In the first day or two yeah, it can make a bit of a mess and I wouldnt go productless out and about in my heavy days, no way. But the end days? Sure. Ive done it before.

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:31 (twenty-one years ago)

Then again Im a stinky hippy and only shower every second day as well.

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:31 (twenty-one years ago)

xpost
yeah, she seems like just a bit of a flake and the article is retarded lalalaaa i'm bleeding all over for no good reason laaalalaa. i'd be into free bleeding purely for the shock/gross-out value if it weren't going to be so uncomfortable.

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:32 (twenty-one years ago)

I dream about massive haemooraging bleeding when my period starts. Every month! It really weirds me out.

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:33 (twenty-one years ago)

that happens to me sometimes too trayce! i thought it was only me!!

― gem (trisk), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:34 (twenty-one years ago)

Hurray I'm not insane! hehe ;)

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:34 (twenty-one years ago)

i WISH something cool like that would happen to me.

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:34 (twenty-one years ago)

i don't get cramps, so i'm quite glad usually as then i know it's gonna start, otherwise i don't really have much warning, being a tad irregular.

― gem (trisk), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I never used to but I have started to in my mid 30s... paaaain, and heavy bleeding, Im not on the pill anymore so that could be why, but mum suggested it could be a sign I'll get early menopause too... AERGH.

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:37 (twenty-one years ago)

the only difference i get when i go off the pill is tender boobs, and then it's only in random months, so i really have no way of knowing. bloody uterus. talk about inconvenient.

― gem (trisk), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:38 (twenty-one years ago)

no dude, like at the end of my period I like never bother and usually I don't bleed very heavy anyway, never have except for weird odd circumstances usually relating to birth control problems. but like even so, as a light bleeder, i still wouldn't wanna go without the first couple days!!

― Allyzay Dallas Multi-Pass (allyzay), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, ditto.

Now, $20 says every male on ILX backed out of this thread and ran about a dozen posts ago.

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:41 (twenty-one years ago)

I want my tubes tied actually.

That wont stop the damn periods tho will it?

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:41 (twenty-one years ago)

you owe me twenty bucks

― TOMBOT, Friday, 11 February 2005 03:43 (twenty-one years ago)

I can somehow tell (don't ask me how, I don't know) what hours and half-days when the flow doesn't really exit the er, well it doesn't leak. I don't wear tampons then. But I definitely do the first two days and nights.

The freebleeding in general sounds pretty mentalist.

― Orbit (Orbit), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Tubal ligation does not stop periods, no. If you believe my mom, it delays menopause but I think she's just making that up. Though she is like 50 and still menstrual for some reason.

― Allyzay Dallas Multi-Pass (allyzay), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Dammit Tom ;P

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 11 February 2005 03:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Tampons are disgusting and if you use them you should pay for you sin. It does not matter whether this payment is in the form of a tax or lots of pain.

Unless of course you are in the bath, in which case bloody water could attract sharks or pirhanas or dye your skin red - so best use a sponge or tampon or some such to plug up your bloody smoo.

― toraneko (toraneko), Friday, 11 February 2005 05:11 (twenty-one years ago)

how are tampons any more disgusting than anything else?

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Friday, 11 February 2005 05:16 (twenty-one years ago)

i think there is an element of satire there

― gem (trisk), Friday, 11 February 2005 05:19 (twenty-one years ago)

oh.

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Friday, 11 February 2005 05:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, satire aside, the case against tampons is pretty good, depending on what you believe.

Some chiX0rs find that their period pain is very much increased by using tampons, there are claims that the rate of cervical cancer is somewhat directly proportional to the rate of tampon usage, the risk of TSS is a not-necessarily-100%-confirmed but still scary thing, the materials & chemicals used in making tampons are worrisome and potentially potentially harmful to either women or the environment or both.

I have not used tampons since I was a teenager except for the occasional swimming expedition as they cause me a lot of discomfort (and yes, I do know how to insert them properly) and also I do not like the concept of them.

Rad pads (washable cotton) are pretty rad(ical) i.e. cool, excellent etc.

I have some freaked-out-hippy-lefty-greeny-knee-jerk-reactive friends who use either natural sea sponges (wash & re-use) or those little silicone or latex cup thingies that you stick inside you - at least they are not bleached cotton shite - but they still gross me out and I think I'd probably find them uncomfy too.

― toraneko (toraneko), Friday, 11 February 2005 08:01 (twenty-one years ago)

RAD PADS OMG

― Who did release magic family out from the base of $499 (deangulberry), Friday, 11 February 2005 08:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Sea Sponges?

― mark grout (mark grout), Friday, 11 February 2005 09:13 (twenty-one years ago)

*shrug*

Anyway, I too cannot really put up with tampons, except mine's a more severe case of anti-tamponism and I can't even put one in if I'm going to be wearing a bathing suit and out in the water swim-swim-swimming away. (Oddly enough, I seem to have cooperation from my body in these instances -- I can go into the water free as can be, regardless of how heavy my cycle is that month, and I don't bleed a single drop. It's only within a few minutes of my getting out that I start to feel the need to put on something that already has a pad attached to it.)

I HAVE to wear pads. I HAVE to. The disposable kind and doubled-up, even if I wear those pads that are for women sizes 14 and up, because (a.) my cycle is that heavy, (b.) there is no way in the world I'm going to contend with that much blood in storage, (c.) 1/4 of the days I'm on my period (i.e. 2 out of the 8), I end up dropping blood clots, and, um, the thought of having to remove them seems much less savory to me if I did it from a piece of cloth than if I do it from a much-more-sanitary-feeling disposable pad. If you can wear the washable, reusable pads, more power to you; they're just not for me.

Oh, and as for taking time off for period-related incidents -- well, yeah, as someone once pointed out upthread, there are certain individuals out there with severe-enough medical conditions related to their periods that this might actually be feasable and probable for the one day of their cycles where they're either doubled over in pain or bleeding profusely. Like, as heavily as I bleed now, it was a lot worse when I didn't have my cycles controlled and I would bleed so heavily that, even with the doubled pads, blood would run down my legs; it was during this time of my life that I remember ruining a chair at my gyn's office, to my embarrassment, after sitting in the waiting room for about 30 minutes. Someone who's going through something like that doesn't need the additional complications of trying to be competent at work.

― Surreal Addiction (Dee the Lurker), Friday, 11 February 2005 13:38 (twenty-one years ago)

you guys are crazy, i love tampons! yes!

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Friday, 11 February 2005 14:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Blimey Dee, that sounds truly horrible. Eeeeeeeeeee my stomach tensed just reading it, so goodness knows how many boys have fainted by now. Do you regulate by using the pill or by some other, more terrifying method?

― Liz :x (Liz :x), Friday, 11 February 2005 14:50 (twenty-one years ago)

has there been a spongebob squarepants range of tampons/sanitary towels yet? if not why not???

― ken c (ken c), Friday, 11 February 2005 14:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I would bleed so heavily that, even with the doubled pads, blood would run down my legs

hah, i have this sometimes and hate it hate it, it's like my uterus decides to empty itself completely in the course of a few hours, and otherwise i don't have much of a period. besides the bloodbath. this happened once on a weekend with my bf and i looked like a scene from carrie from the waist down because i couldn't get to the bathroom quickly enough, and it was kind of embarrassing.

i started using menstrual cups out of desperation, since they're supposed to be good for heavy bleeding. i thought i'd never get used to it, or that it would be gross, but i totally love mine and i'm never going back to tampons...

― JuliaA (j_bdules), Friday, 11 February 2005 15:12 (twenty-one years ago)

Good God Dee. I don't think I'll ever moan about my periods again. Poor you.

Like Ally I'm happy free bleeding at the (light) end of my cycle, but who in the hell can keep buying/ washing knickers and sheets at that rate?

(I also have huge amounts of horrible puns going round my head now: Free Bleedin' Bob Dylan etc.)

― Anna (Anna), Friday, 11 February 2005 15:19 (twenty-one years ago)

Blergh, Anna, what an awful image in my head.

― Allyzay Dallas Multi-Pass (allyzay), Friday, 11 February 2005 15:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Julia's thing is the thing that happened to me once. And it happened to me on the train platform, and I was wearing lime green pants (it was the 90s). I had to run down the alley all the way home so no one would see. Then I sat in the tub for a couple of hours and it was all over for that month. It never happened again, though. I don't understand what caused that.

― Yr3k (dymaxia), Friday, 11 February 2005 15:35 (twenty-one years ago)

My Mum used to be in excruciating pain and her boss often had to call her a cab to get her home. On the plus side, she said childbirth was easy in comparison. Fortunately, I haven't inherited this and only suffer from giant boob syndrome for a few days a month.

― Madchen (Madchen), Friday, 11 February 2005 15:58 (twenty-one years ago)

Blergh, Anna, what an awful image in my head.

-- Allyzay Dallas Multi-Pass

Share in my period related horror.

Sore boobs are awful. The day before I start I end up having to sleep in my bra because I can't bear to have them move at all.

― Anna (Anna), Friday, 11 February 2005 16:11 (twenty-one years ago)

When I first started my periods I, like most young girls, used pads.
Nightime pads were never good enough though, they always bunched up regardless of what kind I used and what undies I wore. Being a heavy sleeper I'd wake up for school in the morning in a bit of a mess.

My poor gran would have to scrub my sheets and underwear and I felt that it was totally my fault. I started waking up three or four times a night and compulsively changing and washing myself in the small hours.

It wasn't like I was really heavy either, I guess my under-carriage just isn't made for towels. Once I started using tampons it was as if the whole menstruation problem that had been bringing me down was gone entirely.

Now I'm on the pill and rarely take a break from it (storing up problems for later life perhaps?) but when I do come off it's a light bleed which only lasts a couple of days.

If my daughters want to use tampons I'd be happy to let them. Free bleeding? And have dogs sniffing your crotch? No thanks.

― Rumpkin, Friday, 11 February 2005 16:19 (twenty-one years ago)

my friend works at a place selling computer games, almost everyone that works there is a 'geeky' guy. they have an (unofficial) policy of having a day off if someone pulls the night before. seriously. just thought i'd toss that into the discussion
-- colette (a2lett...), February 10th, 2005 4:14 PM. (a2lette)
------------------------------
Ha ha, you've got to be kidding. They must be suffering from work exhaustion by now.

-- Angus Muldoon, Fife (dadaismu...), February 10th, 2005 4:17 PM. (Dada)

Fuggoff.

― JimD (JimD), Monday, 14 February 2005 15:53 (twenty-one years ago)

Here's a question for the ladies: When did you first notice the giant boob syndrome. I've been with my gf for ten years now but it's only been for the last 4 or 5 years that she's complained about her tits being huge and painful. Is this something that increases with age?

― Michael White (Hereward), Monday, 14 February 2005 16:09 (twenty-one years ago)

has there been a spongebob squarepants range of tampons/sanitary towels yet? if not why not???

Oh no.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 14 February 2005 16:19 (twenty-one years ago)

ihttp://www.collectingpez.com/pics/spongebob.jpg

― mark grout (mark grout), Monday, 14 February 2005 16:21 (twenty-one years ago)

Michael, they have definitely gotten more noticeably sore as I have gotten older. (Also premenstrual cramps have kicked in, as oppsed to regular menstrual cramps which I've always had.)

― tokyo rosemary (rosemary), Monday, 14 February 2005 16:32 (twenty-one years ago)

"Giant boob" refers more to sensation than actual ballooning of breast size, right? I mean, no one goes up like 3 bra sizes to to menstrual-related tenderness, yes?

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 14 February 2005 16:33 (twenty-one years ago)

Because poor Pamela Anderson!

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 14 February 2005 16:36 (twenty-one years ago)

Not everyone can use tampons. Some people have worse periods and pain than others. But extra work leave on the basis of gender is the worst idea i've ever heard. It would almost certainly encourage (and justify) gender biased hiring practices.

― mouse (mouse), Tuesday, 15 February 2005 02:28 (twenty-one years ago)

everybody's dworkin for the weekend.

― Sterling Clover (s_clover), Tuesday, 15 February 2005 05:04 (twenty-one years ago)

In my case, giant boob syndrome means they get bigger as well as more painful and bras don't fit properly. It can, therefore, result in four boob syndrome.

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 15 February 2005 13:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Giant boob has got worse with age. Also, does go up in size ~2 cup sizes usually - therefore have spare larger bras for the week before period.

Madchen, I offer to send you some spare larger ones (bras, that is, not giant boobs) coz 4 boob syndrome is a bad, yet preventable, side effect of giant boob syndrome!

Am I mad or does other girls have spare bigger bras for giant boob?

― toraneko (toraneko), Tuesday, 15 February 2005 15:37 (twenty-one years ago)

It's OK, I have learnt from my mistakes and have kept hold of bras from when I weighed more. Two boobs only for Madchen! (albeit giant ones)

― Madchen (Madchen), Tuesday, 15 February 2005 16:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Yeah, maybe not three sizes, but a cup size (or two).

― Yr3k (dymaxia), Tuesday, 15 February 2005 16:37 (twenty-one years ago)

Sheesh! A whole cup size!?

― Michael White (Hereward), Tuesday, 15 February 2005 16:42 (twenty-one years ago)

It is for me, at least. I guess it depends on how big you are. I have Cs and Ds in my drawer.

― Yr3k (dymaxia), Tuesday, 15 February 2005 16:45 (twenty-one years ago)

I don't have spare bras for giant boob per se, just that I avoid wearing certain bras (smaller, flimsier ones) when the twins are tender. I tend to go up maybe one cup size. I've gained weight, so I'm already loaded down with a DD set without the period. :(B That's my unhappy face with giant boobs because I'm on my period. It just started today (insert MBV joke).

― Melinda Mess-injure, Tuesday, 15 February 2005 16:49 (twenty-one years ago)

Maybe women should get payed extra for bra expenses while they're at it?

― Thermo Thinwall (Thermo Thinwall), Tuesday, 15 February 2005 17:15 (twenty-one years ago)

That would be great, cuz I only buy nice bras. I demand a $100 a month stipend to buy Wacoals!

― Yr3k (dymaxia), Tuesday, 15 February 2005 17:51 (twenty-one years ago)

If my wife got giant boob syndrome, she would not be able to stand up straight while on her period.

― The Ghost of Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 15 February 2005 17:59 (twenty-one years ago)

two years pass...

blood money

― bobby bedelia, Saturday, 21 April 2007 04:28 (eighteen years ago)

lolz

― HI DERE, Saturday, 21 April 2007 05:19 (eighteen years ago)

blood diamonds

― Curt1s Stephens, Saturday, 21 April 2007 05:27 (eighteen years ago)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQcj3G2tuVI

― bobby bedelia, Saturday, 21 April 2007 05:46 (eighteen years ago)

if it flows
off she goes
if it should stop
back to work, chop chop

― gershy, Saturday, 21 April 2007 20:46 (eighteen years ago)

My host in South Korea was always telling my girlfriend and I how weak women were, and defending the way women are treated in South Korea (which is sort of like America in the 1950's). One of his points was that many women take time off every month in Seoul, because having a period is too much for them to bear. My girlfriend mentioned that having a period is not too difficult to cope with, and that women work through them all the time in the United States. Our host responded that maybe American women are stronger, but that Asian women are smaller and definitely too weak to work during the strongest parts of their period. When my girlfriend asked why Asian-born women in the United States manage to work through their periods without taking time off, he didn't have any answer.

Gan-bei!

― Z S, Saturday, 21 April 2007 22:12 (eighteen years ago)

In a women's health class that I took we had a discussion about how women deal with their periods. A handful of the women said that they chose birth control that completely stopped their periods. One woman hadn't had a period in 3 years.

I can't imagine why so many women just put up with menstruation when there is this option! Barring unwanted side effects from the pill, I am certain that if I were a woman I would go this route.

― Jesse, Sunday, 22 April 2007 16:19 (eighteen years ago)

I don't know what the (long term) side effects of this are, so I pick the monthly flow. ;-)

― nathalie, Sunday, 22 April 2007 16:25 (eighteen years ago)

Two words: menstrual sheds.

― Manalishi, Sunday, 22 April 2007 16:33 (eighteen years ago)

I prefer having a period to having my hormones artificially fucked with but I have little PMS for the most part, so I have it easy compared to some. (Okay, I do get cranky & cry a river, but not cramps or pain or etc.) And I like my cycles, I know what's happening at what times, and I know my feelings & responses are going to fluctuate; without that cycle there are no "lows", but there are also no "highs".

― Laurel, Sunday, 22 April 2007 16:40 (eighteen years ago)

Two words: menstrual sheds.

OK, I googled this and as best I can tell this refers to something like the red tent? A place where women are made to go during their cycle. If so, I don't understand why that is a reason to have a period.

― Jesse, Sunday, 22 April 2007 16:44 (eighteen years ago)

I take enough of an issue with other ways my body is a hassle without having a mess of blood every single month. Imagining having to deal with that for like 30-some years fills me with a feeling of desperation.

― Jesse, Sunday, 22 April 2007 16:49 (eighteen years ago)

Imagining having to deal with that for like 30-some years fills me with a feeling of desperation.

imagine having to choose between shaving every day or having a hairy face. i think i'd rather put up with 5 days of not-much-hassle every month.

― emsk, Sunday, 22 April 2007 23:10 (eighteen years ago)

I read somewhere that a famous writer or philosopher said that while women's menstruation is a hassle, men have an equal hassle in having to shave. Quoting this is a sure-fire way to piss off a couple of my female friends.

Who was the person who is credited with saying this?

― Jesse, Monday, 23 April 2007 03:09 (eighteen years ago)

like women don't have to shave!

― tokyo rosemary, Monday, 23 April 2007 03:32 (eighteen years ago)

no one has to shave
http://www.sikhnet.com/TheSikhs/images/Sikh%20Men.jpg

― gershy, Monday, 23 April 2007 03:39 (eighteen years ago)

dworkin in a coalmine

― webber, Monday, 23 April 2007 05:18 (eighteen years ago)

I only shave for the boys.

― Laurel, Monday, 23 April 2007 05:22 (eighteen years ago)

Anyway, Jesse, the blood is really the least of yr problems during your period (unless you have unusually heavy bleeding, in which case, well, you're unusual). Blood is easy, there are all these different products for containing it depending on your preferences, squick factor, etc, and you can get them in most public bathrooms for ten cents. Cramps, back pain, emotional swings, bloating, clumsiness, all the symptoms of PMS are a much greater annoyance for most people, I think.

― Laurel, Monday, 23 April 2007 05:27 (eighteen years ago)

like women don't have to shave!

not every day, and not your face! can't be arsed/don't have time? wear jeans. and i know no one *has* to shave, this is why i said shave or have a hairy face. because damn, i would *hate* a hairy face, but i have an annoying enough time just getting showered, teethbrushed, dressed, coffeed, bagpacked and ontime in the morning. if i had to spend another ten minutes or whatever shaving my face i think it would drive me insane.

― emsk, Monday, 23 April 2007 08:00 (eighteen years ago)

Plenty of guys don't bother every day either :/ THANK YOU STUBBLE RASH.

― Trayce, Monday, 23 April 2007 08:02 (eighteen years ago)

It?s stupid because all these Dworkinists have said that women are the same as men and blah blah and they are not ? and men are not the same as women and we should embrace that. So women, having been given their equal place in the work environment (which is correct, of course, because discrimination is bollox) now turn around and want different treatment after all so it seems you cannot win now.

This still makes me laugh...

― Ned Trifle II, Monday, 23 April 2007 08:28 (eighteen years ago)

haha I knew I should have put have in quotes.

― tokyo rosemary, Monday, 23 April 2007 12:15 (eighteen years ago)

Wow Trayce has had sex? Thanks for letting us know!

― JW, Monday, 23 April 2007 12:16 (eighteen years ago)

I think I would probably get written up/fired at work for having hairy armpits & legs.

― tokyo rosemary, Monday, 23 April 2007 12:19 (eighteen years ago)

Seriously? Unless the same standard applies to men, that is probably a violation of Title VII discrimination laws. If you live in the US, that is.

Anyway, Jesse, the blood is really the least of yr problems during your period (unless you have unusually heavy bleeding, in which case, well, you're unusual). Blood is easy, there are all these different products for containing it depending on your preferences, squick factor, etc, and you can get them in most public bathrooms for ten cents. Cramps, back pain, emotional swings, bloating, clumsiness, all the symptoms of PMS are a much greater annoyance for most people, I think.

Yeh, I don't know why I didn't mention the cramps, bloating, etc. but that only affirms what I was saying. I want my body to function silently, in the background, and any way I could make it do so more (through hormones or through electrolysis) the better.

― Jesse, Monday, 23 April 2007 13:30 (eighteen years ago)

WTF Jon?!

― Trayce, Monday, 23 April 2007 13:31 (eighteen years ago)

I want my body to function silently, in the background, and any way I could make it do so more (through hormones or through electrolysis) the better.

I totally don't understand this point of view! The thought of tinkering with perfectly benign bodily functions gives me the fear: not just the worry that it might cause something to go wrong, but the feeling that I'd end up totally out of touch with my own body. Can almost find the cycle reassuring, grounding, a way of telling that it's all ticking over all right. Of coure I can say this as one of the lucky ones whose periods aren't so bad (regular, only one day of nasty pain, manageable pms): I don't doubt using the pill to suppress periods is essential for women whose quality of life is severely affected.

― c sharp major, Monday, 23 April 2007 13:53 (eighteen years ago)

I also support Botoxing of the 'pits to prevent sweating. I could do away with pissing and shitting for sure. Shaving is annoying but at least it gives you a chance to do change your appearance through creative facial hair.

― Jesse, Monday, 23 April 2007 14:08 (eighteen years ago)

I also like having my period because I like knowing what's going on and also knowing that I'm not pregnant! I have an IUD of which there are two types, one that stops periods and one that makes them heavier. I chose the later because I've always had fairly manageable cycles to begin with. That said, most physicians agree that there is absolutely nothing wrong with supressing periods. Women bleed far more often now due to longer life expectancies and less time spent pregnant/breastfeeding so some think it's actually more "natural" for women to not have periods than to have them!

― ENBB, Monday, 23 April 2007 14:26 (eighteen years ago)

Ooh, next time I'm getting an IUD, I think. Did the doc give you any hassle about it? How was the insertion/cramping/etc?

― Laurel, Monday, 23 April 2007 14:29 (eighteen years ago)

When I approached my primary care doc about getting one he did give me hassle but when I met with the NP who handles birth control, she was very encouraging and pro IUD. There are alot of misinformed docs out there who still think IUDs = bad so you might have to shop around a bit as far as finding a practitioner. The insertion did hurt but was manageable. I took 800mg ibuprofen about a 1/2 beforehand and had a cervical anesthetic which I highly recommend and the whole thing was over within 5 mins from start to finish. I have the Paragard (http://www.paragard.com/paragard/custom.php?refer=ParaGard:%20TouchItNow)
which has increased my cramping a bit and I now get cramps a few days before my period starts which is new for me but nothing a few advil can't take care of. Overall, I love it. It cost me $30 because it was covered by my insurance and now I don't have to think about birth control for 10 years!

― ENBB, Monday, 23 April 2007 14:48 (eighteen years ago)

Yeah, period is a love letter from utes saying, "THOU HAST NOt A BABY."

― Abbott, Monday, 23 April 2007 17:23 (eighteen years ago)

oh like you're surprised trayce

― Catsupppppppppppppp dude ‫茄蕃‪, Monday, 23 April 2007 17:26 (eighteen years ago)

DO MEN feel as pleased to know somehow after committing Onanism "I HAST NOT MADE ONE BABY NOR EVEN TWO," however displeased YHWH may be?

― Abbott, Monday, 23 April 2007 17:29 (eighteen years ago)

I find that question confusing but I think the answer is yes.

― nickalicious, Monday, 23 April 2007 17:30 (eighteen years ago)

You''re all like, "Oh thank god I did not spooj in a women and not having the babies all over again" & thing & stuff. Is a dumber explanation.

― Abbott, Monday, 23 April 2007 17:33 (eighteen years ago)

IUD's are good. I got pregnant with one, but I'm a statistical anomaly with regards to fertility. The insertion was very painful - especially since the first practitioner had never inserted one before, so called me and asked to take it out and have it inserted by someone with more experience.
I was on Depo-provera for two years, which stops your periods. (I took Depo because i am a statistical anomaly with regards to fertility - it was that or a hysterectomy to stop me getting pregnant at the drop of a hat). it was weird, and i have been off depo for about two years and still don't have regular periods. Just sayin' - that shit is intense!
Now I am being medically treated for what might be an early perio-menopause. Or just Depo still fucking with my cycle. noone knows.
if i wanted kids i would be the luckiest lady in the world. because i would have about 300 at this point.
I also have intense period cramps, but so infrequently that I'm never sure what the hell is going on...like, i think i have an ulcer. or that I'm having a miscarriage, although that should not be possible.
lady parts aren't all that much fun for me....
but i also don't want to give up any organs just to stop being pregnant!

― aimurchie, Monday, 23 April 2007 17:44 (eighteen years ago)

The insertion was very painful - especially since the first practitioner had never inserted one before, so called me and asked to take it out and have it inserted by someone with more experience.

Yeah, for anyone considering getting an IUD it's crucial to make sure the person has a lot of experience doing insertions. The woman I went to does over 200 a year.

― ENBB, Monday, 23 April 2007 17:51 (eighteen years ago)

Reminds me of a recent article in the FT

Why women should pay less tax

also here

http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/2007/04/why_women_shoul.html

― sadie, Monday, 23 April 2007 18:39 (eighteen years ago)

well, to divert the conversation away from taxes, I had bad menstrual cramps and a bloody snatch yesterday, and this was only two weeks after my regular period. Normally I am very consistent. I think this only happened because I was wearing light-colored linen with no underwear, but could it actually be because I'm dying?

― emilys., Tuesday, 24 April 2007 00:23 (eighteen years ago)

Probably not but it could be because you were ovulating!

― ENBB, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 01:51 (eighteen years ago)

Menopause rules.

― Beth Parker, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 02:18 (eighteen years ago)

if i wanted kids i would be the luckiest lady in the world. because i would have about 300 at this point.

HAHAHA (a sad three ha's)---me tooooo. My family's just a series of fertile myrtles, which helps explain why I have over 80 cousins.

― Abbott, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 04:07 (eighteen years ago)

Are you going to have kids, Abbott? The world could use more Abbott's, in my humble opinion!
I am glad to know menopause rules! Perio- menopause is weird. (if that is, indeed, what I'm experiencing).
I couldn't read the whole tax thing. Subscribers only?
To answer the initial question - yes, women should get extra paid leave. I'm a woman, so of course I support extra paid anything that is specific to my gender! Women should get paid for being women, and get bonuses when they menstruate!
I demand $52,000.00 a year, right now. tax free.

― aimurchie, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 14:55 (eighteen years ago)

I don't have my periods but I would take extra days off. why not?

(I also look forward to menopause)

― Ms Misery, Tuesday, 24 April 2007 14:57 (eighteen years ago)

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