Blog Writer Grace Fox discusses what endometriosis is and recounts her interview with Laurel, a 24-year-old with endometriosis.

“It was my sophomore year of high school when I realized something was wrong.”

Many women struggle with the emotional ups and downs of PMS, but for some, these changes in mood are more extreme. PMDD, or Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, is a disorder that can cause both mental and physical symptoms in the week or two prior to menstruation.

“In a world that constantly seeks progress and equality, it's essential to address issues that often remain in the shadows. Period poverty, an overlooked health crisis, affects countless individuals around the world. The Period Poverty Initiative is a national coalition of high school activists who are passionate about ending period poverty through education, equity, and action.”

Anyone who has tried to perform their daily activities while dealing with severe cramps or other challenges related to menstruation can understand the appeal of menstrual leave. But what is it exactly, and what are the potential positives and negatives of these policies in the workplace?

“I decided to create AFLO as a result of what I’ve seen in medical practice. I’ve worked in healthcare for 15 years and noticed a wide range of health problems (reproductive health and autoimmune disorders, cancers, mental health crisis, etc) affecting black women. I wanted to understand why this was happening and if there was any way to prevent it.”