Menstrual migraines are more than just a headache. They’re a test of endurance, a silent struggle, and, for many women—a reason to hide their pain at work.

Imagine being in a high-stakes meeting, trying to focus while your head pounds, light feels unbearable, and nausea threatens to take over. Now imagine this happening every single month, with no acknowledgement, no accommodations, and the expectation to keep working as if nothing is wrong.

This is the reality for millions of women who experience menstrual migraines, a condition triggered by hormonal fluctuations before menstruation. In Hong Kong, 1 in 8 people suffers from migraines (Cheung, R.T.F., 2000), with women experiencing them three to four times more often than men.

Yet, despite being one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, menstrual migraines re

main overlooked, dismissed, and stigmatized in the workplace.

We spoke with Chesca (24) and Erica (26), two professionals navigating work while managing menstrual migraines. Their experiences highlight an urgent question: why are workplaces still ignoring the pain?

“You’re Just Being Dramatic”

💬 “Sometimes, people assume menstrual migraines aren’t a big deal,” Chesca shares. “It’s disheartening to hear things like, ‘You’re just being dramatic.’”

At just 24 years old, she has already learned that showing pain at work makes people uncomfortable. The expectation is always there: smile, stay sharp, and get the job done.

💬 “If I couldn’t follow instructions immediately because of the pain, my boss assumed I was lazy,” she recalls. “I feared being judged, so I just kept quiet and forced myself to work.”

She isn’t alone. A 2022 study found that 70% of people with chronic migraines experience workplace stigma, making them hesitant to ask for accommodations (Neurology, 2022).

That fear is why women like Chesca and Erica sit through meetings with their heads pounding, force themselves to concentrate while fighting nausea, and pretend they’re fine when they feel anything but.

Because asking for understanding feels riskier than suffering in silence.

Why Women Stay Silent at Work

“I was afraid they’d think I was lazy,” Chesca confesses. “I didn’t want my boss to think I wasn’t capable.”

When the migraines hit, she feels it everywhere:

📍 Her head pounds like a drumbeat she can’t turn off.
📍 Her vision starts to blur.
📍 The office lights feel like spotlights burning into her skull.

And yet, she never once lets it show.

Because in the workplace, sick days for menstrual migraines feel like an excuse. And when not everyone experiences this pain, it’s easy for others to assume you’re making it up.

Erica, at 26, has perfected the art of minimizing her pain for other people’s comfort.

💬 “I wouldn’t say I completely hide my symptoms, but I do downplay them,” she admits. “I don’t want to worry my co-workers.”

She describes what it feels like: the pulsing pain, the nausea creeping in, the way light feels like daggers behind her eyes. The fear that if she admits how bad it is, people will start seeing her as unreliable.

💬 “People think we’re overreacting,” she says. “But when you’re in pain, it’s hard to function normally.”

So she pushes through. She keeps working even when she feels like throwing up. She tells herself it’s just another bad day—not a reason to ask for help.

How Many More Women Have to Feel This Way?

💭 How many women have sat at their desks, barely holding it together, afraid to ask for what they need?
💭 How many have swallowed their pain, worried that admitting it would make them seem weak?
💭 How many have been told to “just push through it” when all they wanted was a little understanding?

Menstrual migraines aren’t just a bad headache—they’re a real, disabling condition that affects 1 in 8 people in Hong Kong (Cheung, R.T.F., 2000).

They are a workplace issue—but right now, they’re treated like a personal inconvenience.

Understanding Menstrual Migraines

What exactly are menstrual migraines? These severe migraines typically occur just before or during menstruation, exacerbated by the natural drop in estrogen levels. The symptoms are profound: intense throbbing pain usually confined to one side of the head, increased sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and debilitating fatigue—often forcing women to take time off work.

Triggers and Causes: Beyond hormonal shifts, factors like stress, lack of sleep, and certain foods can trigger these migraines. However, the full spectrum of causes remains poorly understood, indicating a significant gap in research.

Living with Menstrual Migraines: The impact extends beyond physical symptoms. It affects professional productivity and personal relationships, challenging women to manage both their careers and social lives under distress. Effective management includes lifestyle adjustments, medication, and, crucially, continuous dialogue with healthcare providers.

As we push for more understanding and better accommodations, it's essential to recognize menstrual migraines for what they truly are—a significant health issue that requires greater awareness and sensitivity in the workplace. Until we see these changes, women like Erica and Chesca will continue to endure silently, concealing their pain to meet workplace expectations. But this shouldn't be the standard we accept.

Have you ever had to conceal your pain at work? How did it affect you? Let's bring this issue to light and start the conversation to make workplaces more accommodating and sensitive to all health issues.
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Enjoyed this blog? Join us at our upcoming event:

Unpacking the Myths and Realities of the Gender Pain Gap
Date: February 25
Time: 6–8 PM
Location: 1880 SOCIAL, Quarry Bay
Tickets: HKD 100 (includes a welcome drink)

Dive deeper into the critical issues discussed here by attending our event, where we'll explore how systemic bias and stigma surrounding women’s health contribute to the ‘gender pain gap.’ This affects not just workplace culture but also limits women’s economic opportunities.

Featuring a lineup of influential speakers:

• Olivia Cotes-James, Founder of LUÜNA
• Maaike Steinebach, CEO of FemTech Future and former CEO of Visa
• Benita Chick, Inclusion Advocate
• Brian Henderson, Founder of Whole Business Wellness Limited
• Sonalie Figueiras, Founder of Green Queen Media

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