PIP and Periods

Hi,

Does anyone know if period related issues are considered in 'managing toilet needs' - I'm sure it was for DLA but it doesn't mention anything in this guide. It would seem fairly unfair if that was excluded as 50% of the population at some point of another may have had to deal with periods and the issues that they may cause for disabled people. I specifically remember putting in something about using a mooncup and arguing that it was my right to chose which sanitary products I use even if sanitary towels might be 'easier' which I'm sure came from the original benefits and work guide.

Worth putting it in anyway? Does anyone know what the law says on this?

Thanks!

Hi, found this while googling the same query about PIP and periods. I know this post is 6 years old now but I am shocked this doesn't count. Whether it is blood or urine, there is still the need to go to the toilet and evacuate something from your body or change a product - except I would argue with added mobility challenges and higher risk of infection if left. I will be including my period in my PIP and arguing the point if needed. Every month is a nightmare.

I go back and forth, but I will use a cup not because of preference but because I cannot rely upon myself to change a tampon or pad in a timeframe that is considered safe, and even when I do use the cup I hate taking it out because its a sensory nightmare and, horrifyingly, sometimes my grip slips while holding so it does a blood spatter everywhere and I just want to cry, so often I will put a pad on to catch any overflow and leave it in for, again, longer than is safe. I'm talking like 3 days, despite the risk of toxic shock syndrome which is life threatening. Period underwear also doesn't help because I will wear the same pair for days and avoid going to the toilet unless absolutely desperate because pulling blood-wet underwear up is another sensory nightmare. The underwear becomes to full and I end up with blood smears on my thighs when pulling them back up. I become anxious about bleeding through my clothing which will happen if I'm not careful, or I will get blood on the toilet seat without realising. I feel disgustingly unclean for the entirety of my period because, frankly, my disability makes me disgustingly unclean - I am under no illusion of how unsanitary my hygiene is during my monthly cycle, but I lack the motivation to spend uncomfortable minutes trying to fish something out of myself, change pads or underwear, and clean myself up multiple times a day for 2 weeks straight when I'm lucky if I have enough energy to make myself some goddamn porridge.

......Part of me is like, damn, you really going to hit submit and post this on the internet? and the rest of me is like hell yeah, lets be real about how soul destroying having a period is and how challenging they can be to deal with - managing toilet needs is more than just pee and poop for us, the whole experience is involuntary and requires as much if not more attention and effort than the bladder and bowl, and it needs to be factored into PIP! I consider it incredibly sexist to disregard these challenges, especially given how this would score points if blood and uterus was changed to bladder and pee, or bowels and poop. Periods can be a big issue for us ladies!!

(Not having a go at you, Gordon of 6 years ago, I appreciate you taking the time to respond to the original post. I am just a little fired up right now about this topic.)

Hello Brb,
I have the greatest sympathy for what you are going through, having suffered with endometriosis and menorrhagia for over forty years (until the menopause brought blessed relief), but PLEASE do not risk toxic shock syndrome. I believe my son's ongoing and lifelong health conditions may be due to sepsis (aka toxic shock syndrome) which he contracted when only a few days old. Once again, whatever you have to do - and I really do know how desperate period problems can make you - please don't risk it.
Best wishes,
Wendy