For generations, women have been told to just deal with it when it comes to period pain. I’m a Junior in High School with awful period cramps but as many women we keep going as this progressed the pain became unbearable I wasn’t able to focus I felt like I was going to throw up and pass out in the classroom. But when I asked for 15 minutes to rest during unbearable cramps, I was told no and instead, I was offered two options: take more medication or go home. I would be the first one to lie down all year for period cramps. They’ve told so many other girls no. I wasn’t asking to leave school. I wasn’t asking for special treatment. I was asking for a brief moment to manage a biological condition that affects half the population. 

Instead of offering a simple solution letting me rest for 15 minutes I was told to sacrifice my education and leave or I could take more drugs to attempt taking away some of the pain over a natural relaxer like lying down. Meanwhile, students CAN lie down if they feel anxious like if they don’t study for a test they have next class but period pain? That’s not a good enough reason.

This isn’t just about me. It’s about every young woman who has been dismissed, ignored, or forced to push through pain because her needs weren’t seen as valid. Schools need to recognize that period pain is real, it’s medical, and it deserves the same respect as any other health concern.

Sign this petition to demand that schools allow students to rest when experiencing severe period pain because no one should be forced to choose between their health and their education.