Justified absence due to painful periods
Updated on: 10/06/2026A system to better support female students.
Attentive to the health and well-being of its students, the Université Le Havre Normandie, at the suggestion of its students elected to the CFVU and with the support of its preventive medicine service, is launching a scheme to enable students suffering from painful periods accompanied by dysmerorrhea to take time off work. An experimental phase has been launched to assess the effectiveness of this scheme.
What is dysmenorrhea?
Dysmenorrhea is the medical term given to abdominopelvic pain that precedes or accompanies menstruation. These pains generally last one to three days. They may already be felt a little before the period and sometimes last a little longer afterwards. They are cyclical, recurring with each period. The intensity of the pain varies. They can range from simple discomfort to moderate or intense cramp-like pain and spasms in the lower abdomen, preventing the patient from carrying out normal activities.
In the most severe cases, these pains can prevent the student from attending classes or carrying out her usual activities.
A solution to justify absences due to painful periods.
To meet the needs of female students experiencing this physiological condition, Université Le Havre Normandie has introduced a system allowing absences due to painful periods to be justified. Here is the procedure to follow:
- Complete the “justified absence due to painful periods” form.
Submit the duly completed form at the reception desk of the medical service on the Lebon site or at the IUT infirmary every Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
- Collect your supporting document from the medical service, which will issue your absence certificate and send it to your academic secretary.
This supporting document is valid throughout the academic year.
Medical support available to you.
The institution’s Preventive Medicine Service welcomes and supports students with health and prevention matters throughout their studies. In the event of difficulties or questions related to painful periods, a student can make an online appointment with the Preventive Medicine Service. A midwife will meet with students, assess their situation, and offer solutions to help them better manage their pain.
Attendance, a key success factor
It’s essential to stress that this scheme is designed to support students who are genuinely faced with disabling pain. The aim is obviously not to encourage absenteeism, but to respond to a personal problem that can affect academic success.
The university encourages its students to use this device responsibly.