My period affects my life to a large degree.
Not just during it,
But also the week leading up to it,
When I’m unable to move.
My body feels weak,
And my legs feel as if they’re being pulled away from my body.
There’s usually a general feeling of exhaustion,
Which continues until my period ends.
The problem I’ve faced since I was in school,
Is that it’s not acknowledged as a valid reason for absence.
People would think I was making a big deal out of it.
At work, I can’t just be like,
“Sorry, I can’t make it,
Because I woke up in a pool of blood,
My blood pressure is low,
I’m throwing up,
And the pain is killing me.”
It’s still not an acceptable excuse.
Needless to say that if you talk about it at work,
Everyone will probably think you’re insolent,
And that you’re sharing too much information.
But it'd be okay if I just said that I have a cold.
I wish my pain was acceptable.
I wish my exhaustion,
Lack of concentration,
And my physical and mental suffering,
Would be seen as valid.