Women who suffer from period pains and feel under the weather each month should get paid leave, a leading doctor has suggested.

Gedis Grudzinskas, professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, believes ‘menstrual leave’ would boost women’s motivation and productivity when they are in the workplace.

He even goes as far as to question if a woman were to accidentally become pregnant, should her employer pay for the termination – although concedes that ‘society is unlikely to be ready for that’.

Mr Grudzinskas, formerly of St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London – and who now practices in Harley Street – is a leading international figure in the field of Reproductive Medicine, Surgery and Obstetrics.

Explaining his reasoning, he told MailOnline: ‘Some women feel really grotty when menstruating. Coming into work is a struggle and they feel lousy.

‘When you feel like that, it’s harder to take pride in your work or perform as well. This is about employers being sensible and aware.’

Like maternity leave, he proposes the menstrual leave should not interfere with career progression or structure.

‘It would be one to three days each month, separate to sick leave entitlement – it is not sickness, after all.’

Menstrual leave is already recognised in some countries in Asia, such as Japan and Indonesia.

The concept is believed to have started in Japan in the early 20th century.

So how would menstrual leave work, exactly? Would a woman have to prove she was menstruating?

‘I don’t think women should be shy about it,’ said Mr Grudzinskas. ‘There should be no proof needed – employers should take it on good faith.

He says of men who will complain of the idea: ‘It’s not men who have to get pregnant, go through IVF and childbirth. Men will just have to understand’.

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