Female Analysts - Asking for advice

Any advice on how to work long hours on your period. I have been averaging 20 hours a day on my period unfortunately and I feel like I am going to faint half of the time. I eat alot and drink water but still not 100%, any hacks that worked with you?

 

Going to assume this isn’t a troll and give real advice. Caffeine. Tons of caffeine. It’s a known pain reliever + benefit of staying awake. If you’re not a coffee drinker, Excedrin migraine. Screw any diet you’re on, lean into whatever cravings you have - sugar, grease, carbs. It’s your body telling you what it needs. Lastly comfort. if you’re back in the office save the cute dresses for the rest of the month. wear your go to comfy work outfit.

 
Most Helpful

When I'm having a bad day in general I,

  1. Make sure to take plenty of Tylenol (you can get them in little cylinders https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/e5f02aef-9a62-4136-86ef-71eb339fbc6b_1… which are easy to carry)
    1. If the Tylenol did not work, use caffeine pills. I'm not kidding when I say I got two hours of sleep once and with them I had no trouble the next day. Magical.
  2. In contrast to the above I avoid both salty and sugary foods which increase water retention and cause bloating and other crappy feelings, while focusing more on fruit which both contains carbs while keeping you hydrated. In general though (again in contrast to my previous point) I make sure to eat plenty, as this can improve hydration. Berries, apples, oranges, and pomegranate seeds are my go to foods in this kind of situation. Bring them with me to work and snack on them throughout the day as I need. 
  3. If you exercise regularly at all (if even possible during an analyst stint lol, I certainly couldn't do that), make sure not to skip working out that day. This will boost your endorphins and improve how you feel. Tone it down as much as you might need to, but I usually at least stretch, do a light jog, or do some yoga. 
  4. As the above said, comfy work clothing can help a lot. 
  5. If it's truly becoming almost impossible to work during your period, take a sick day or two. I know people during my time on the sell-side who would just take a day or two off without going anywhere. They just wanted a long weekend to themselves. I never did this myself, but with my current work being hybrid, I've had a few random opportunities to either get some work done early or push some off to the next week and give myself almost a 3-day weekend. 

And by the way what group are you in? Are you on a live deal? 20 hrs/day is a lot.

Edit: I saw someone below say Modafinil. I don't know how to get it, but it can help if you need focus. 

 

Thanks super helpful. I just lateraled so not really in a situation to take a sick day or many PTO days. Will try caffeine pills.

I am in coverage group. It just coincides (third month now lol) that I get my period on days where I am on a life deal with a tight timeline or have a deadline coming up and can’t afford to slow down.

 

No one works 20 hours a day, it’s literally impossible…Let’s do the math Assuming you worked 20 hours means you have 4 hours to sleep, eat, commute to work (if in person), get ready, go to the gym, take care of miscellaneous things. Let’s say you sleep 2 hours a day Now your down to 2 hours. 30 minutes to wake up, have breakfast and shower 1 hour at the gym 30 minutes for lunch and dinner Leaves you with no time for nothing else Let’s stop lying on WSO and let’s be realistic, because these type of posts disencourage prospective monkeys to pursue a career in IB Yes we work A LOT OF HOURS, just not 20 a day….

 

She’s probably exaggerating like girls love to do

 

I have really really bad periods too, once fainted on my way to work. So first of all accept your body and stay at home. Commuting zaps energy out of me and increases pain. After the fainting incident I don't take public transport if I have to get out of the house. If you can, take a sick day. Anyone who doesn't understand this problem is a fucking jerk. I know it's not always possible but when it is, do it.

Take painkillers regularly, don't wait for pain to creep up and tire you. Eat nice carbs that keep you energised. Yoga is helpful - I cannot work out at all but stretching feels nice. Drink lots and lots of water, that really helps me. I also avoid dairy and too much sugar. 

If getting on birth control is an option for you, it might not be a bad idea. It really helped me with lesser bleeding and pain

Array
 

Work from home if possible, and use a heating pad for the pain. Take painkillers on a regular schedule (Midol has been particularly effective for me) before you start feeling the pain. If you're feeling absolutely exhausted, take a 30 min caffeine nap during 'lunchtime'

 

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