The stigma surrounding women’s periods affects women* in all industries and work environments. Lack of education and open communication has contributed to persistent taboos about menstruation, a very normal bodily function that half of the global population manages at some point in their lifetime. According to international non-governmental organization Water-Aid, with support from the research consortium Sanitation and Hygiene Applied Research for Equity (SHARE), approximately 26% of the global population is female of reproductive age and, therefore, currently has their period.

Despite such a large portion of the population living with and managing menstruation, it is not widely understood by women and men alike. As a result, it has become commonplace for people not to openly talk about it, especially not in the workplace.

In this article, we’ll look at how this biological function affects women providing tree care in the field.

Tips for open discussion

Period side effects can range in severity and be very distracting, affecting performance physically and mentally. The side effects of menstruation include cramps, extreme fatigue, muscle and joint pain, headaches, intestinal distress and mood swings. That’s a lot to manage in a highly physical job.

“When anyone, man or woman, comes to work in a funk, it can be a safety issue. As arborists, we put ourselves in potentially dangerous situations and need to be aware of each other’s mental and physical status,” suggests Cassandra Bryant, arborist with Rayzor’s Edge Tree Service, an accredited, seven-year TCIA member company based in Stratford, Connecticut. “Discussing periods should be no different, and women should be able to feel comfortable communicating this to the crew. We’re not doing it to gross you out. We need to share this information with you because it’s a safety issue.”

Open communication is a key part of working on a crew. When it comes to safety, no topic should be off limits.

Statements such as “I’m on my period” seem abrupt, but it’s just a statement about a normal, biological function that can offer insight into a team member’s performance. “We must stop referring to periods as ‘the curse,’ ‘that time of the month’ and ‘Flo’s in town,’” emphasizes Rachel (not her real name), a professional gardener and arborist in South Oxfordshire, England. “Let’s normalize periods and make it easier for colleagues to manage it without using odd phrases for the sake of ‘discretion.’” While both men and women use those phrases, they are meant to be a joke or are deliberately crass and don’t help destigmatize the topic. The impact of periods is a normal part of life for many women, and they warrant more understanding from everyone. Treating periods like any other physical or mental down day will help the crew work together to manage safety and pick up the slack when needed.

Managing menstruation in the field

Many women have been conditioned to hide feminine products in a sleeve, pocket or pouch for a dash to the restroom. What about women who work in the field?

Managing this level of discretion in the field can be especially difficult and, frankly, it’s unnecessary. Having all the necessary products takes up space in gear bags, and stashing waste to throw away later can get complicated. Without easy access to restrooms, it can be exceedingly difficult to find the time and privacy to change products throughout the day, and basic hygiene can be tricky without running water. Priority should be put on hygiene, health and comfort rather than discretion.

A recent discussion in TCIA’s Women in Tree Care Facebook group generated many helpful suggestions for how women can manage periods while in the field. These suggestions are applicable to every woman on the crew, whether working on the ground or aloft.

Natural/medicinal pain management

Well-known tactics to manage pain from menstrual cramps include increased hydration, decreased caffeine consumption and applying heat to reduce pain. One woman suggested applying sticky heat patches to the abdomen and lower back for on-the-go pain relief, and indicated that they can stay on for up to eight hours.

Medicinal treatments suggested include magnesium, acetaminophen (Tylenol and Excedrin), over-the-counter, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen) and birth control. It’s always best to discuss options with a doctor prior to starting a new pain-management technique, to ensure the proper doses are taken to avoid causing new issues or doing damage.

Feminine products

Traditional feminine products include tampons, pads and panty liners. However, with the shift in environmental consciousness has come a variety of eco-friendly options, including reusable cotton pads and biodegradable products, such as tampons with cardboard applicators and paper wrappers. “As an environmentalist, it’s important to me to use products that are biodegradable,” states Bryant.

A new wave of feminine products includes menstrual cups and discs. Ranging from disposable to reusable, there are many options on the market. One such brand is Flex (Photos 1 and 2), which offers both disposable and reusable products. The appeal here is that cups and discs can hold more fluid than the average tampon, making it easier to work in the field longer, especially aloft, with reduced potential for an uncomfortable or embarrassing leak. Other brands mentioned in the Facebook conversation include Saltt, Diva Cup, Intimina and Lumma.

These products function by creating an internal seal to effectively capture fluid and prevent leaks. It’s important to note that every woman’s anatomy is different, and products that work well for one person may not work well for another. Further, these products can sometimes shift and break the seal, causing a leak. It helps to test out placement and removal of cups and discs at home prior to wearing them in the field.

An additional benefit of cups and discs is the ability to empty them hands-free by bearing down, which vastly improves hygiene when easy access to soap and water is absent. When the hands-free option isn’t working, it’s important to ensure hands are clean prior to removing and reinserting these products. In the field, a quick rinse with water is sufficient, but once at home, proper cleansing is essential for maintaining overall hygiene and health. Reusable cups and discs are often made with medical-grade silicone that can be boiled to sanitize them prior to their next use or storage.

Undergarments

Period panties can be the next line of defense in preventing a leak on high-flow days, or may be the only thing needed on lighter days. Made to look and feel like normal underwear, period panties are designed with multiple layers, including absorbent materials and a moisture barrier, to absorb fluid. Rest assured, the extra layers are concentrated in the crotch area and are not thick, and otherwise feature breathable and stretchable fabrics for comfort and performance.

There are many brands and styles of period panties on the market. TomboyX (Photos 3 and 4) is one such brand, and their First Line collection features a wide range of silhouettes, lengths and colors. Their inclusive collection offers sizes from 3XS – 6XL, ensuring that women of all shapes and sizes have access to options that fit well. Other brands include Period.co, Knix, Thinx, Bambodi and Joyja. It can be expensive to invest in period panties initially, but the benefits include peace of mind, generating less waste and improved cost effectiveness over time.

Apparel

The last line of defense includes apparel. Simple tactics for selecting pants are to look for styles made with stretchy fabrics that are comfortable when the body changes during menstruation, and to choose dark colors that make leaks less noticeable if they happen. Brands suggested in the Facebook conversation include Arbortec Forestwear’s Arborflex Pro Skin Pants and Arborwear’s Ironwood Chainsaw Pants. (Photo 5)

“Our Ironwood pants are the only chain-saw pants on the market that come in actual pants sizes, with waist and inseam measurements. This reduces the need for pricey custom tailoring,” says Heidi Baumgart, vice president of marketing and team development for Arborwear, a 23-year TCIA corporate member company based in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. “Arborwear is definitely pro women’s health and safety, and we have been working for years to add women’s fits to our uniform selection. Better fit means better safety, especially with pants that can gap, drag or bunch.” Additional women’s styles from Arborwear include the new Ascender Pants, which are ideal for climbing, and coming this summer, the Dogwood Chainsaw Pants that weigh less than two pounds. Both styles will be available in dark colors.

Cuts and scrapes happen, and so do period leaks. Treating bloodstains in fabric is pretty straightforward. Soaking in cold water is key for treating stains. Remember, hot water and heat will cause the stain to set, so avoid soaking in hot water and running any item with a stain through the dryer. If the stain is stubborn, try using equal parts cold water and white vinegar to further loosen the stain prior to laundering per the wash instructions on the garment. The garment may require multiple washes to fully remove the stain.

Conclusion

Arborists show up for work every day managing any variety of aches, pains and mental struggles, and periods are no different. Menstruation is normal, and half of the population experiences it at some point in their lifetime. The first step to normalizing taboos is to talk about them. Eliminating code names for periods, establishing period-friendly policies in the workplace and improving access to privacy and sanitation in the field will go a long way in creating an environment that is safe for all crew members.

* Use of the term “women” in this article collectively refers to anyone who was assigned female at birth. We understand that not everyone identifies as a woman, but feel it’s important to include people who identify as non-binary or trans in this topic.

Emily W. Duane is a freelance writer specializing in business and marketing topics for the outdoor trades and recreation industries. She is currently based in Denver, Colorado.