Periods during exams were a 'nightmare' (2024)

Published

25 May 2024

EmilyHandstockvividly remembers "struggling to stand" as she went into her A-level geology exam, hiding a hot water bottle up her jumper.

The 25-year-old, who has endometriosis, posts videos online documenting the condition and how itimpactsher life.

The campaign group, Love Your Period, external, has published an online guide offering practical advice for pupils.

Qualifications Wales said learner wellbeingwas atthecentreof its work.

Managing debilitating pain while on her period was nothing new for Emily.

While sitting her A-levels she was under investigation for endometriosis and recalled trying to manage her cramps with paracetamol,ibuprofenand heat.

"I had a massive jumper on and a hot water bottle up there and the invigilator, a man, came over as he thought I was hiding something... Iwasn'tat my most amenable and said 'I'm on my period, it's a hot water bottle and it's staying up there'," she said.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissuesimilar tothe lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, according to the NHS., external

It isa long-term condition that can cause severe chronic pain, fatigue and can make it difficult to get pregnant.

Diagnosed at 22, she said she had "no doubt" that she was disadvantaged in her exams as a result.

"I didn’t have full brain capacity, and I couldn't concentrate as my brain was screaming at me because I was in so much pain," she added.

Campaigner Molly Fenton recalled her period being a bit of a "nightmare" during her exams.

"Idefinitely leaked... but mybig thingis that I need to go to the toilet all the time, I had to do sofrequently.

"Wedon'thave these conversations andmaybethat'sbecause theyweren'ttypical symptoms, but I also used to getreally badheadaches so that would naturally affect my work," she added.

She founded Love Your Period as a teenager at school in Cardiff to endperiodpoverty and stigma for school pupils all over Wales.

"Painful periods are not uncommon, and they are problematic and not everyone gets support, and it does affect quality of life... a large proportion of people live with bad periods," she said.

The 22-year-old said while the conversation is happening, action still has not been taken.

The group has published a guide on the topic offering advice from people who have recently sat exams:

"It's about what to do about leaking, period pain, period discomfort, bowel movement and self-care. There's no conversation about it," she added.

"We are using social media to reach people - we can't changeexamsbut we want people to feel comfortable."

Natalie Brown, who works with the Welsh Institute of Performance Science, has surveyed teachers and pupils about period education in schools.

"Sixty-four per centof teachers said it just affected general learning and I think it was 45% ofteacherssaid that it specifically affected exam results and exam performance in schools," she added.

The research associate at Swansea University said children in primary school had told her it would "be the worst" if they had their period during exams, with pain being the biggest concern for many.

"Just being able to sit still for long enough in an exam... it's a real distraction when you're trying to perform at your best," she added.

Qualifications Wales said learners could apply for special consideration, whereappropriate.

"Any learner who is temporarily unwell or experiences another event beyond their control... to the extent that it isreasonably likelyto have detrimentallyimpactedtheir ability to sit the exam or todemonstratetheir normal attainment can request an awarding body process known as 'Special Consideration'," a spokesperson said.

They added this process involved potentially making minor post-exam mark adjustments dependent on the timing, nature and severity of illness or event.

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