It’s no secret that the nursing workforce is overwhelmingly composed of women. In fact, between 2014 and 2017, 9 out of 10 registered nurses were women. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2022, over 2.2 million nurses in the US were female.
With women accounting for the majority of the workforce, healthcare organizations must ensure that women’s health and wellness needs are prioritized. One way to do so is to create a period-positive work environment. A Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) report reveals that 69% of the study’s respondents believe their menstrual symptoms can have a negative impact on their work. That number jumps to 81% for those with diagnosed menstrual conditions.
In celebration of National Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, we highlight several strategies that organizations can implement to foster a period-positive workplace for healthcare professionals.
Tips on creating a period-positive workplace culture
Educate everyone on the importance of menstrual health
Understanding menstrual health and hygiene shouldn’t solely rest on the shoulders of menstruators — everyone should be educated on its importance to create a comfortable and safe workplace for women. Healthcare organizations must take charge in hosting seminars, training sessions, and sending out informational emails for menstrual health awareness. Doing so will remove stigma, misconceptions, and negative attitudes surrounding menstruation.
Provide free period products in accessible locations
This is one of the most helpful things that healthcare facilities can do for their employees: Provide free, good-quality period products in accessible locations. Pads and tampons need to be changed every few hours (or more often for heavier flows), and having free period products in every restroom will allow nurses to change pads efficiently on whichever floor they may be. It’s also a great idea to keep period products, including heating pads and over-the-counter pain relievers, in supply cabinets.
Encourage employees to take regular breaks
When employees are given an appropriate number of breaks in a workday and are encouraged to take them, they will be able to do good menstrual health and hygiene practices to keep them healthy and comfortable all throughout their shift.
Aside from ensuring that employees are able to practice good menstrual hygiene during their periods, regular breaks allow them to stay hydrated. Staying hydrated is important, especially during menstruation, as it helps prevent infections and address menstruation-related symptoms, such as constipation and bloating. A 2021 study found that water intake helps reduce period pain intensity for the first day of bleeding and the use of painkillers.
Encourage employees to get yearly women’s health checks
Healthcare organizations need to advocate for their employees’ overall health, and an important part of that for women is getting their annual well-woman visit or gynecological exam. OB GYNs can help diagnose and address atypical menstrual symptoms such as heavy menstrual flows, irregular menstruation, and severe dysmenorrhea.
Gynecological issues can cause heavy bleeding, severe pain, and other symptoms, including the following:
· Endometriosis: A condition wherein tissue similar to that lining the uterus grows outside it, such as in other organs, including the ovaries, the bladder, and even the lungs, causing pain and inflammation.
· Adenomyosis: A condition that occurs when tissue similar to that lining the uterus grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.
· Uterine fibroids: Are typically non-cancerous tumors that grow in and on the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding, irregular periods, and pain.
Aside from annual reminders, healthcare organizations can also provide paid time off for annual OBGYN visits.
Create comfortable work areas
Nurses spend many hours on the computer, documenting and updating patients’ charts, so their office chairs must be comfortable and ergonomic. Period days often come with many physical discomforts, including pelvic and back pain, which would require adequate back support. It’s also a good idea to provide adjustable monitors and even footrests for employees who need them to ensure that proper sitting posture is supported.
Make sure that your floors are sufficiently staffed
When floors are understaffed, nurses won’t be able to take their breaks as often as they need to. They might not be able to eat their meals properly, either. Aside from not being able to attend to their essential personal needs, healthcare professionals will also be more prone to experiencing burnout due to understaffing and increased workloads.
For the safety and well-being of both patients and healthcare professionals, healthcare facilities must ensure that their floors are staffed with the right number of skilled nurses at all times.
Oculus Health offers comprehensive, robust, and reliable healthcare staffing solutions, empowering healthcare organizations to deliver high-quality patient care while reducing costs. Learn more about our healthcare solutions here.
