Date: 21th August 2024

Time: 11.00-13.00

Venue: ARC, University of Glasgow

Managing menstruation in field environments can be a challenge, and one that is often overlooked in fieldwork planning. When coupled with one of the common menstrual conditions that affect more than 1:10 of those assigned female at birth, menstruation can become a real obstacle to contributing to field teams and managing symptoms in the workplace. For many, these symptoms include considerable pain, and the associated side effects of painkillers, heavy bleeding, and severe mood swings.

Conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, Polycystic ovary syndrome and Premenstrual dysphoric disorder are common, and often take years to diagnose, with limited treatment options. Learning how to manage the symptoms takes time, often with significant side effects such as chemical or surgical menopause. The stigma around discussing periods means that many people try and cope with menstruation in unsafe ways, such as by wearing tampons for longer than recommended, resorting to hormonal suppression, and eventually moving away from fieldwork.

Join us for an 90 minute interactive session discussing various management strategies for trip leaders, a guide to language and communication, and an exhibition of menstrual products that can be useful both in the field, and everyday life.