Ireland: Women miss out on up to 36 days’ worth of social activities due to period symptoms

Pain, fatigue, bloating and anxiety around menstruation lead to up to 36 days of missed plans and holidays every year, a survey from Ireland has found. 

The research, conducted by the menstrual health brand Joii, has revealed how much women in Ireland are forced to miss out when menstruating, something the platform has identified as “the period day gap”.

The company has found that as many as 35 per cent had cancelled a date, 34 per cent skipped out on work drinks and 28 per cent cancelled a weekend away because of their period.

Alongside social plans, more than a third have missed out on education (35 per cent), and 45 per cent admitted they were unable to exercise because of period discomfort.

Additionally, more than half (55 per cent) of the women surveyed reported making up an excuse for their absence to colleagues, employers or friends, likely due to the taboo that exists about talking openly about periods.

For those with severely debilitating periods, and for the one in ten sufferers of endometriosis, the overall figure was revealed to be much higher, with 20 per cent of those surveyed, who are living with the condition, losing up to 60 days every year.

In many cases, the real cause for debilitating periods was unknown, with nearly a third stating they did not know the symptoms of endometriosis.

Joii has found that knowledge of other period-related conditions is also “staggeringly low”, with many unable to explain the symptoms of PCOS or fibroids.

Despite the monthly suffering of women and the knock-on-effect on their overall social lives and productivity, many have never sought medical advice as 40 per cent admitted they would not know when they needed to visit a doctor about their period, the survey has also suggested.

“As someone who suffered heavy and painful periods most of their adult life, I can really sympathise with the suffering that many experience each month,” said Justyna Strzeszynska, founder and CEO of Joii.

“I too have cancelled social events and stayed home from work because of immense period pain. I’ve had to apologise to friends’ partners for staining furniture, excuse myself numerous times to use the toilet and wash my sheets on an almost daily basis.

“What’s shocking is just how many of us are suffering in silence and accepting this as the norm. The monthly period day gap is for many an accepted part of life, but it shouldn’t be.”

She added: “More research and better menstrual health education is needed to help drive understanding of conditions like endometriosis.

“Taboos need to be broken in schools and workplaces to drive important conversations around menstrual health.”

To support those living with endometriosis, Joii has announced it will be launching a tracking app later this year, aiming to equip women with more information about their cycle and give them new insight into their flow.