We are truly so disrespected not only should pads/tampons be free but period pain should be a valid excuse to miss school and work. The pain of the first day of your period is wild. I feel like I’m constantly being stabbed in my abdomen. The pain makes me vomit and gives me headaches and I know those are common symptoms women get on their periods as well as diarrhea. I’ve never met a single woman who doesn’t spend the first day balled up crying. No matter how many pain meds I take the pain doesn’t get better. I’m pretty sure the contractions pregnant women experience feel like this. So many women take work and school off on their first day. This should be recognized (Some places do). I feel like women don’t speak on it because of how far we have come in terms of equality and they don’t want to be treated special. Well I do because it’s not fair. What do you think?