Menstrual issues affect 70 per cent of Peterborough women at work, report finds
A report said its findings highlight "a widespread issue of workplace discomfort"
A fifth of women in Peterborough say they feel obliged to stay silent about their menstrual status in front of their employer.
Figures from research firm Savanta also found 70% of people in the city surveyed said their menstrual cycle affects their work capacity.
The report found by women not feeling confident enough to speak about the topic in the workplace, this worsens feelings of embarrassment, anxiety and isolation about their situation.
"It's not just about the stigma"
Ruth Gresty is from hygiene and health firm Essity:
"It is worrying; we found most women say their employer is not supportive of their menstrual health," she said.
"This is affecting wellbeing and this is about women feeling uncomfortable in the workplace, excluded, isolated," she said.
"Period is not a choice, so it's not just about the stigma but creating an inclusive environment, access, education and the right facilities is really key."
What else did the report find?
Across the country, 2,926 people who menstruate were surveyed as part of the findings.
The report found 20% of people feel compelled to hide their menstrual status from employers and colleagues, due to stigma surrounding the topic.
Fourteen per cent of people are avoiding work because the necessary amenities are not provided, and an extra 6% are staying at home due to a lack of access to essential menstrual products, the report said.
Essity and charity group In Kind Direct, which distributes the likes of period products to other charities across the UK, found UK businesses report annual losses of £3.27 billion due to menstrual-related staff absences.
The report said the findings highlight "a widespread issue of workplace discomfort" and a "lack of support exacerbated by inadequate workplace facilities" for people going through the menstrual cycle.
"This is about making support much more universal"
Charlotte Walsh is from In Kind Direct:
"We've heard stories from across our network of charities and those we work with about people using toilet roll or making their own products because they can't afford to access the right products for them, or too embarrassed to go to their GP to get the support they need," she said.
"There is so much good stuff already going on in communities, workplaces and school and this is making it much more universal because there's so many things we can learn and roll out beyond what's already happening.
"(Accessing the right products) It doesn't only support people with menstrual health conditions and reducing absence from school and work, but it helps people to access a whole wide range of support including mental health, so that holistic all-round approach is so important to tackling this issue."
What has the Government said?
A Government spokesperson said measures have already been taken to help those going through menstrual-related issues.
"The Government has taken a number of steps to ensure that sanitary products are available and affordable for all who need them," they said.
"(This is) including scrapping VAT, providing free period products in hospitals, and spending more than £6 million on free period products for colleges and schools."