5 Menstrual Disorders We Need to Stop Asking Women to Power Through at Work

5 Menstrual Disorders We Need to Stop Asking Women to Power Through at Work Ill never forget the time someone told me to stick a tampon in it that I was being crazy because my hormones must be through the roof. To be fair, my hormones were through the roof, and I really could have cried at the drop of a hat but I didnt need that, because he did the job just fine.I struggle with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), which I eine positive bewertung abgeben to whats essentially premenstrual syndrome (PMS) on speed. Throughout a solid chunk of the month leading up to my period, my muscles ache and my breasts swell to the nth degree so much so that I cant fit them in a bra or sleep on my stomach... or my side... or at all for that matter. Its not a rarity that my cramps cause me to vomit buckets whenever I can get myself out of fetal position in my bed (or, often, on the floor) and to the toilet. And, though I practice daily meditation to be mindful of and allow thoughts to pass with out consuming me, I fall into a crippling depressive bout for the seven to 10 days before I abflug menstruating. Thats when I start bleeding so much that it sometimes leaks through my clothes.Its not fun.And, yup, I cope with the nauseating pain and the debilitating depressive bouts all while at work for about two-ish weeks (to varying extremities, of course) every single month. I wonder if those around me understand whats going on when I take several bathroom breaks an hour, or when Im popping Ibuprofens like candy, or when I look like Im on the verge of tears for, apparently, no reason at all. Of course, some days are better than others, and years of experience have helped me to get a grip so I dont negatively affect those around me friends, family, partners, colleagues.But thats just it. We too often expect women to get a grip so they dont impact everyone else and, in doing so, we neglect the seriousness of their experiences. When I see other women around me acting similarly, I know theyre likely secretly struggling, too, putting on brave faces because period talk is taboo or because they dont want to give anyone mora (unjustifiable) reason to call women incompetent.While some countries are adopting paid leave for period problems, the silent plight of menstrual disorders affects mora women in the workplace than you might think. ansicht disorders can emotionally, mentally and physically paralyze women who are still expected to power through at work.1. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)PMDD affects up to five percent of women of childbearing age, though that number may be much higher since its a relatively new discovery.Essentially, PMDD is a health problem that is similar to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) but is more serious, according to Womens Health. PMDD causes severe irritability, depression or anxiety in the week or two before your period starts. Symptoms usually go away two to three days after your period starts.The severe symptoms of PMDD include, but are not limited to, the followingA strong feeling of irritability or anger that can affect othersFeelings of sadness that may even include suicidal thoughtsTension and anxietyPanic attacksMood swingsSudden crying boutsA lack of interest in day-to-day activitiesA lack of interest in relationships, romantic or otherwiseDifficulty focusing and/or thinkingExhaustion and low energy levelsFood cravings and/or binge eatingInsomniaCrampsBloatingBreast tendernessHeadachesJoint or muscle painIf you or someone you know is or may be struggling with PMDD, here are some resources to help you learn more and connect with other women with PMDD to find remediesPMDD Support Group - FacebookWomens Health - PMDDThe International Association of Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD) - PMDD2. Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)PMS refers to the symptoms women may have before and during menstruation. An estimated three of every four menstruating women have experienced some form of PMS, according to MayoClinic.While PM S symptoms tend to recur in a predictable pattern, the physical and emotional changes a woman endures may vary from slightly noticeable to intense. These symptoms include, but are not limited to, the followingAcne flare-upsBloating or weight gain due to fluid retentionFatigueAnxietyCrying spellsMood swingsIrritabilityChanges in appetite changesFood cravingsInsomniaSocial withdrawalDifficulty focusing and/or thinkingChanges in libidoJoint or muscle painHeadachesBreast tendernessConstipation or diarrheaAlcohol intoleranceIf you or someone you know is or may be struggling with PMS, you might want to talk to your gynecologist about the following remediesHormonal contraceptivesDiet modificationsExerciseHot compressesOver-the-counter headache medications like IbuprofenAntidepressantsNonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)Diuretics3. MenorrhagiaMenorrhagia, simply put, refers to heavy menstrual bleeding.Menorrhagia is the medical term for menstrual periods with abnormally heavy or pr olonged bleeding, according to Mayo Clinic. Although heavy menstrual bleeding is a common concern, fruchtwein women dont experience blood loss severe enough to be defined as menorrhagia.That said, menorrhagia still affects a lot of women. In fact, research suggests that 30% of all premenopausal women perceive their menses to be excessive, and, according to the World Health Organization, 18 million women aged 30 to 55 years old perceive their menstrual bleeding to be exorbitant. Meanwhile, research shows that 10% of these women do indeed experience severe enough blood loss to be clinically defined as menorrhagia.The signs and symptoms of menorrhagia may includeLeaking through one or more sanitary pads or tampons each hour for several hoursNeeding to double up on sanitary protection to prevent leakagesNeeding to wake up throughout the night to change sanitary protectionBleeding for longer than a weekPassing blood clots that are bigger than the size of a quarterFeeling anemic, such as being exhausted or short of breathRestricting daily activities due to heavy menstrual flowIf you or someone you know is or may be struggling with menorrhagia, you might want to talk to your gynecologist about new hormonal contraceptives to help control your flow, as well as try different sanitary products like menstrual cups or period panties that tend to hold more blood (and prevent more leakage) than typical tampons and pads. You dont have to change them as often, either.4. AmenorrheaOpposite of menorrhagia is amenorrhea. Amenorrhea is defined as the absence of menstruation such as one or more missed menstrual periods, according to Mayo Clinic. Women whove missed at least three consecutive menstrual periods have amenorrhea, as do girls who havent yet begun menstruation by the age of 15.While not bleeding very much or at all might sound like a blessing, it actually comes with its own list of cons. Thats because causes of amenorrhea include problems with the reproductive organs a nd glands that help regulate womens hormone levels (or pregnancy).As such, symptoms of amenorrhea might include hormonal issues like the followingAcne breakoutsHair lossHeadachesMilky nipple dischargeVision changesExcess facial hairPelvic painIf you or someone you know is or may be struggling with amenorrhea, check out the US Department of Health and menschlich Services - Amenorrhea to help you learn more about treatment options to discuss with your gynecologist.5. EndometriosisEndometriosis is a condition in which a womens endometrium tissue, which is similar to the tissue inside the uterus (the uterine lining), is found outside of the uterus. When this happens usually on the pelvic peritoneum, on the ovaries, in the recto-vaginal septum, on the bladder and in the bowel womens bodies may experience a chronic inflammatory reaction that leads to scar tissue, according to according to Endometriosis.org.Research suggests that endometriosis affects about one in 10 women during their r eproductive years (which is usually between the ages of 15 to 49 years old). That is approximately 176 million women in the world, according to Endometriosis.org.Symptoms of endometriosis include the followingPainful periods (i.e. severe cramps)Painful ovulationPain during or after sexual intercourseHeavy bleedingChronic pelvic painFatigueInfertilityIf you or someone you know is or may be struggling with amenorrhea, check out the US Department of Health and Human Services - Endometriosis to help you learn more about treatment options (everything from hormone therapy to surgery) to discuss with your gynecologist.--AnnaMarie Houlis is a feminist, a freelance journalist and an adventure aficionado with an affinity for impulsive solo travel. She spends her days writing about womens empowerment from around the world. You can follow her work on her blog, HerReport.org, and follow her journeys on Instagram her_report,Twitterherreport and Facebook.