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Student Wellness Centre

Cramping Our Style: The Hidden Impact of Period Pain on Students

Written by Naya Nadeem 

 

Nausea, vomiting, fainting, migraines, debilitating pain1… 

These are just a few examples of symptoms that someone might experience during their period, though not everyone will have all of them. If someone described these symptoms to you, you’d likely tell them to see a doctor immediately. You wouldn’t expect them to show up to class, pay attention and take diligent notes for hours, push through the pain, and do it all without letting on that they are in any discomfort—but this is what is expected of people who menstruate every month.  

Period Pain is More Common Than You Think 

1.8 billion people experience periods, including cisgender women, transgender men, and non-binary individuals.2 In Canada, the majority of people with a uterus will be affected by dysmenorrhea, the clinical term for painful periods, at some point in their lives.3 Globally, prevalence is around 95%.4 

I am lucky; the worst of my symptoms are cramping and fatigue. That is not to say that it does not affect my daily life—my cramps can get so bad that I struggle to get out of bed some days. Still, I go to my lectures, group meetings, and extracurriculars. I’ve had to stop in the hallways of MDCL and sit on the floor because of a sudden bout of severe menstrual cramps, but I get back up and keep moving. 

Most of my friends who menstruate have similar or worse experiences. The others sympathize. However, those who do not menstruate have no idea I go through this. That’s because I prefer it this way—I tell them I must have eaten something bad or that I’m recovering from the flu. Not only is telling people that you’re experiencing period pain stigmatized, it can sometimes feel like it is not taken seriously. Chances are that if you say you can’t attend a meeting, class or midterm because of menstrual pain, you’ll either be told that it is not a valid excuse or, at the very least, you will be not-so-subtly judged for it.  

Student Experiences 

I took to the social networking site Reddit, specifically the community dedicated to our very own university (r/McMaster), to hear from fellow students on how period pain has affected their academic and personal lives.5 “I don’t tell people, especially men, that my pain is from my period because they react like I shouldn’t have told them that,” one user messaged me. Is talking about being on your period crossing some unspoken social boundary? If so, that’s one that I don’t think needs to exist. 1.8 billion people experience periods—we can talk about it out loud.  

Many students described their period pain as completely debilitating, sometimes leading to fainting, dizziness, or even temporary loss of mobility. One student recalled a particularly terrifying experience: “I fainted once and couldn’t even feel my own legs afterwards. Literally couldn’t move them at all. It was scary. A lot of this was due to low iron so please take your iron, fellow women!” The truth is that period pain is not just pain. It is compounded by a myriad of other symptoms that can knock you off your feet, especially when you suffer from comorbidities like iron-deficiency anemia.6 

In terms of how period pain affects their academic lives, many students shared similar experiences. A common theme was the struggle with the shift back to in-person learning, particularly as lectures are not always recorded like they were during the pandemic. Other challenges include managing studying, attending classes, and keeping up with exams while dealing with severe pain. A user commented: “I had excruciating period pain where I would sit and cry on the toilet for hours during class, sweating and dry heaving. I would miss important lessons because I couldn’t get through my first day without pain. If I was at home, I couldn’t get any work done.” Another user described how frightening it is when your period affects academic work: “I am genuinely afraid that my period will coincide with my exams or midterms because I literally cannot handle it.”  

A meta-analysis looking at menstrual experiences of university students found that the academic consequences of menstrual pain included missing one or more days of school, difficulty concentrating and participating in class, and lowered academic performance.7 Students often used painkillers in an attempt to get through schoolwork or consciously completed work before their next period was anticipated. Students also underwent considerable effort to conceal their menstruation, fearing it would be seen as “dirty” or “unattractive.”7 

The students I spoke with on Reddit also disclosed that, upon seeking treatment for their pain, they were often dismissed. One user said they “went to the doctor multiple times, and he just told [them] to get on birth control, which is not something [they] want to do because of all the side effects.” Another user shared that birth control was an “absolute game changer,” significantly improving their symptoms, but acknowledged that this is not the case for everyone. Other users were told to “suck it up” or try painkillers such as Tylenol or Advil. One student added: “I’ve tried to go to physicians for a diagnosis of endometriosis, to no avail, so I have no valid reason to use MSAF type B (even though this is a clear medical issue).” 

One user expressed a similar struggle of feeling disregarded by the academic system: “Wish school would acknowledge our issues more, hate it when people say ‘that’s life’ when life can definitely be more accepting of us.” 

Creating a supportive environment  

Whether or not you suffer from painful periods, there are actions that you can take to help those affected. The first step is to create a more understanding and supportive environment.  

Students:  

  • Address your biases: As students, we must address our own biases when it comes to periods. Period pain is not something trivial; it can completely take over your life for several days a month, which can significantly add up over a semester.  
  • Support your peers: Offering kindness and support to peers who are struggling can go a long way. Sharing resources like this article can also help raise awareness and reduce stigma.  
  • Destigmatize period pain: Talking openly with friends, family, and colleagues about your period pain can help make “period” just another word, not a taboo one. 

Professors: 

  • Create an inclusive learning environment: Small adjustments, like flexibility with attendance, recorded lectures, or hybrid options, can be incredibly helpful for students managing period pain or other health challenges.  
  • Utilize a compassionate approach: A compassionate approach to deadlines and MSAF requests can also make a difference. When students feel supported, they are better able to learn and succeed. 

Where to find support 

Student leaders and organizations on campus are working hard to advocate for change. Both the Student Health Education Centre (SHEC) and the Women and Gender Equity Network (WGEN) offer free menstrual products and a friendly ear to lend if you need to talk about your experiences. These student services are located on the second floor of the McMaster University Student Centre. Free menstrual products can also be found in various washrooms throughout campus, thanks to the McMaster Period Equity Project run by the Okanagan office. 

If you experience painful periods, it may be intimidating to seek healthcare, or you may have faced similar issues of healthcare providers dismissing your symptoms. However, there are steps you can take to feel more prepared going into a doctor’s appointment. For example: 

  • Keep a diary of your symptoms 
  • Bring a list of questions to ask your doctor 
  • Ask someone you trust to come with you to your appointment 
  • Advocate for yourself and your pain 

The Student Wellness Centre (SWC) is a great place to start if you want to access care but don’t know where to start. The SWC offers menstrual products, outreach programs related to reproductive health, and medical care that you can access by booking an appointment in person or calling reception at 905-525-9140 ext. 27700.  

 

Resources 

 

Further Reading 

  • McMaster Students Experiences with Painful Periods Reddit post: https://www.reddit.com/r/McMaster/search/?q=painful%20periods&cId=da8c5f57-f298-4f17-b091-4cded6011aa6&iId=67ab14e8-9bc0-49b5-b471-39c26d7626fe 

 

References 

  1. Dysmenorrhea. 13 May 2019, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/dysmenorrhea. 
  2. Miller, Trisha A., et al. “Understanding Period Poverty and Stigma: Highlighting the Need for Improved Public Health Initiatives and Provider Awareness.” Journal of the American Pharmacists Association, vol. 64, no. 1, 2024, pp. 218–21, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japh.2023.10.015. 
  3. Burnett, Margaret A., et al. “Prevalence of Primary Dysmenorrhea in Canada.” Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada: JOGC = Journal d’obstetrique et Gynecologie Du Canada: JOGC, vol. 27, no. 8, Aug. 2005, pp. 765–70, https://doi.org/10.1016/s1701-2163(16)30728-9. 
  4. Ní Chéileachair, Fódhla, et al. “Coping with Dysmenorrhea: A Qualitative Analysis of Period Pain Management among Students Who Menstruate.” BMC Women’s Health, vol. 22, Oct. 2022, p. 407, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-022-01988-4. 
  5. Nadeem N. writing an article about period pain and academics – looking for comments! [Internet]. 2025. Available from: https://www.reddit.com/r/McMaster/comments/1il16t7/writing_an_article_about_period_pain_and/ 
  6. Lightheaded and Dizzy on Period: Causes and Treatments. 24 Nov. 2020, https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/dizzy-on-period. 
  7. Munro, Alana K., et al. “A Systematic Review of the Menstrual Experiences of University Students and the Impacts on Their Education: A Global Perspective.” PLoS ONE, vol. 16, no. 9, Sept. 2021, p. e0257333, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257333. 
 Physical Health,  Sexual Health