and how often do you think is reasonable? I feel that the 40 hour work week is a lot, and as a woman it's hard for me as my periods are extremely difficult. either I get it on days off and it doesn't feel like a day off at all, or I get it while I'm working and feel guilty as it's once a month. yes, I've been to doctors about it and they just tell me to take pain killers but pain is only one part of the problem.