Miranda Bennett

I have chronic migraines associated with my menstrual cycle, and it’s really hard to see a doctor
when they happen, even though for me it’s predictable and happens once a month. Access to
Reproductive Health Leave would change my life until I get those migraines under control, and it
would make me more productive at work because I wouldn’t be so run down.

Reproductive Health Leave would have also been really impactful when I had an IUD insertion.
One of the most traumatic events of my life was having to turn up to work after I had that
procedure – I was in the most pain I’ve ever been in and not being able to do my job properly.

But I was just expected to push through because it wasn’t something I could get leave for beyond the
limited period that a medical certificate would cover. I think a lot of it comes down to a lack of
understanding about the pain associated with IUDs and other reproductive health issues. Until
such time that tangible research has been done and the medical industry recognises those
issues, Reproductive Health Leave would make a huge difference to people when they need
flexibility or breaks from work.