Bupa has made its Period Plan available, free of charge, to all of its UK-based permanent and fixed term employees.
The Period Plan is a free health and wellbeing benefit to all UK-based permanent and fixed-term customers, for for anyone over the age of 18 who suffers with their periods.
The plan includes 45 minutes with a GP, plus a follow-up appointment and advice for a full year.
The move follows insight from the latest Bupa Wellbeing Index which shows that almost half (47%) of women experience severe pain most months.
The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of some 8,000 respondents across the UK.
The research shows that many also battle with regular symptoms like nausea (31%) and headaches or migraines (48%).
Periods can affect women’s daily lives, with many commonly reporting feelings of exhaustion (41%), discomfort from the pain (37%) and needing to make regular bathroom trips due to heavy bleeding (30%).
Despite the impact it has on their lives most months, many women feel they cannot openly discuss their periods while at work.
Just one in eight (13%) have taken time off work in the last 12 months due to symptoms linked to periods, with a third (35%) giving a different reason when requesting the time away.
And just under a fifth (18%) of those who have periods feel more training should be in place for managers.
Similarly, women are keen to see more concrete period health policies in their workplace, including free sanitary products (36%), clearly signposted days off for period health (30%), and access to services for support, such as GP appointments (19%).
Tom Hoosen-Webber, chief people and procurement officer, Bupa Global and UK, said: “This shows our continued commitment to our people, giving them to access the support they need.
“The latest insights from our Bupa Wellbeing Index focusing on women’s health, show just how many women suffer with painful and heavy periods each month, and how this affects both their home and professional lives.
“So it’s vital workplaces foster a culture where women are able to have the awareness and support they need. Women make up 48% of the UK workforce and it’s essential we help them to thrive.
“Education, flexible working and access to healthcare services are three ways companies can help women in their workplace manage heavy and painful periods, reducing sick days and retaining essential talent.
“At Bupa, we’re committed to breaking down taboos around women’s health and this starts with providing our expert support to our much-valued people.”
