It’s hard to put into words what debilitating period pain feels like to somebody who has never experienced it. When one thinks of period pain, the first and often only thought that arises is “a bad stomach ache”, but that hardly covers it. Backaches, headaches, hot and cold flushes, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, and fainting from being in such severe pain, all at once, for days on end. In high school, I would miss roughly 2 days of school every month. Those days were spent lying on the cold bathroom floor for hours, the tile pressed against my cheek and temple being the only relief I could find, because Panadol did nothing. Sometimes I truly felt like I was dying.
All that being said, this is a fairly typical experience. In fact, anywhere from 70-92% of Australians who get periods experience dysmenorrhea (meaning painful periods). The wide range in these statistics reflects a deeper issue regarding how there is unsurprisingly little research on this topic. To the research and university system alike, it seems as though we are invisible.
For thousands of years, painful periods have been recorded, as countless attempts to remedy this pain have been made. Which begs the question, why is menstrual discrimination still such an invisible topic within institutional policies?
UTS claims under their “Equity, Inclusion and Respect Policy” that discrimination based on a variety of characteristics, including sex or gender, is not tolerated. Yet, one could argue that menstruation and dysmenorrhea not being valid reasons for Special Considerations is active discrimination against women, people assigned female at birth, and intersex people who experience periods. Menstrual discrimination within universities goes beyond just a lack of facilities, though that is an integral aspect to addressing period prejudice. It also reflects a broader lack of education, support, and knowledge of intersectionality, how periods increasingly affect those with disabilities, people from low socioeconomic backgrounds, and certain cultural and religious communities.
At UTS, as stated on the website, Special Considerations require a doctor’s note explaining the reason for a missed assessment or exam which in theory, makes sense. However, after having conversations with UTS students affected by dysmenorrhea, it's increasingly clear that most don’t want or aren’t able to speak to a GP. Embarrassment, lack of affordability, and negative previous experiences were the primary reasons that students did not want to speak to a doctor. One student, who opted to stay anonymous, expressed that she avoided seeing a doctor because she didn’t want to go on the birth control pill and believed there were no other treatment options, so she felt it would be a waste of time and money just to be told to take ibuprofen. Many students have been told that their period pain is simply a part of life and are led to believe that nothing can be done except for taking some over-the-counter pain relief. As a result, many students do not apply or are denied Special Considerations, therefore left with no choice but to sit their exams and attempt to complete assessments while in agony.
When students look into what actually qualifies for UTS’s Special Considerations, the only health-related matters listed on the university’s website are “Infectious disease, serious illness, or psychological condition”. For many with dysmenorrhea, they are not diagnosed with a specific condition, rather, it is just a side effect of their periods, meaning they are not eligible for the extensions on exams or assessments.
There is still a long way to go before menstrual discrimination is truly addressed. Not just in universities, but globally.
In May this year, the Women’s Collective conducted a survey that asked students questions about the biggest challenges they faced when getting their periods at university, and how the collective could offer support. One key issue raised was period poverty.
In response, the Women’s Collective and the UTS Student Association began providing free pads and tampons in the university’s busiest bathrooms in 2024. However, without consistent and sufficient funding from the university, this initiative is difficult to sustain. Basic menstrual products should not be seen as a luxury, they’re a necessity. Addressing this gap is one of the many small, practical steps UTS can take toward a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.
Ending the stigma that surrounds periods is essential to support people who experience dysmenorrhea every month. The more periods are normalised, the more likely it is that those writing the policies will begin to include lines of action that will allow for menstruating students to continue having the same level of education as those who do not menstruate. Having open discussions with each other plays a crucial role in this shift. Sharing experiences can help identify period-related health issues, such as PCOS and endometriosis, by allowing people to notice patterns, compare symptoms, and seek appropriate care. Open discussions with those who do not menstruate also help to challenge the shame and secrecy that come with periods, and the pain that many people suffer silently. This means moving away from euphemisms such as “Shark Week” and “Aunt Flo”, and instead, using accurate language that will make periods a more normalised and accepted topic of discussion.
Without changes to the current policies, students who experience painful periods will continue to face unequal access to education. As long as menstruation remains stigmatised and unsupported, the gap will only widen.
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