Yes, Paid Menstrual Leave Is a Thing — Why We Should Talk About It

Periods can signify many things, we equate them with cramps, malaise and don’t exactly embrace them. For some women, like those with endometriosis, periods can be nearly debilitating. But should laws be passed that require businesses to give their female employees paid menstrual leave each month? Yes, literally days off each month during their period. Last year, the discussion made its rounds on the Internet. I stumbled across this article by the Atlantic regarding the subject and, as I knew nothing about it, I decided to do a little digging.

Paid menstrual leave is already a thing in several Asian countries. Japan first implemented such a law in 1947, and other countries have since followed suit, including South Korea, Philippines, Indonesia and Taiwan. Taiwan actually passed their labor law requiring companies to give women up to three half-paid menstrual leave days a year only in 2013. But even in countries like Taiwan where paid menstrual leave is law, opinions are split.

“Men and women are biologically different. To have paid menstrual leave during ‘that time of the month’ is definitely not a bad trade off,” says Judy Chen, an administrative assistant at construction company in Taipei City, the country’s capital. There are others who disagree.

“It shows women are vulnerable and weak somehow… especially [as] we have been [fighting] for equality for so long. If we use the physical disadvantage card in the work place, equality will take that much longer to accomplish,” says Vivian Chang, the owner of popular vegan restaurant Miss Green in Taipei.

While the notion of paid menstrual leave seems well-intentioned, it feels distinctly misled — and many perfectly healthy women resent the implication that we require it simply due to the reproductive system we were born with. But what about those who suffer from eviscerating endometriosis? While endometriosis is relatively common, affecting about 5.5 million women in the US and about 176 million women worldwide, only about half of the women affected suffer from severe menstrual cramping. The most common age group affected are those within the 30 to 40 age range. Women in my family have a history of severe endometriosis. Growing up, I witnessed how the effects of endometriosis crippled them for multiple days every month without fail, oftentimes forcing them to call out sick from school or work. In some instances, the only reprieve was having a hysterectomy and surgically removing the uterus.

Perhaps the argument shouldn’t be about paid menstrual leave for women at all, but rather recognizing severe endometriosis as a disability. A first step could be getting it into in the Social Security Administration’s Blue Book so that those who suffer from it would not be at risk of losing their jobs over the amount of work leave they must take.

Let’s discuss.

What are your thoughts on paid menstrual leave? Tell us in the comments below!

(Photo via Getty)

Ever dream of globetrotting the world while getting paid? That's not a rhetorical question. Now you can turn your wanderlust into real cash with Ramada by Wyndham. The global hotel brand is on the hunt for its next "CEO," AKA Chief Eats Officer, a dream role for anyone who loves food and travel and well, a paycheck. One lucky adventurer will be paid $15,000 to travel to Ramada’s most coveted destinations, curate a list of must-eats, and share their travel highlights on social media. Learn how to enter below!

Decameron Club Caribbean Runaway Bay, Ramada Jamaica

From Thailand to Turkey and Seoul to Santa Barbara, the CEO trip will include up to seven global destinations in a three-week itinerary next spring. With hotels in 75 countries around the world, Ramada by Wyndham is perfect for travelers looking for that bucket-list experience!

Hunan, China, Ramada by Wyndham Chenzhou Dongjiang Lake

For a chance to be the next “CEO,” travel and food enthusiasts can visit Ramada.com/CEO by October 22 and submit a short, 1-3 minute video through TikTok (tag @RamadabyWyndham, #RamadaCEO) or email makemeceo@ramada.com that shows your passion for travel and discovering amazing eats.

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  • $15,000 reward, including a $10,000 travel stipend to cover airfare and travel expenses, plus $5,000 cash
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Ramada Resort by Wyndham, Bodrum, Türkiye

How to Apply

To apply, post a public video on TikTok explaining why you are the best candidate for the job, tagging @RamadabyWyndham, using the hashtag #RamadaCEO, and following @RamadabyWyndham on TikTok.

Your TikTok account must be publicly viewable for the duration of the contest (through November 2024). Alternatively, you can email your video submission to makemeceo@ramada.com.

All video submissions must be between one and three minutes in length and should include your country of residence.

If applying via email, be sure to provide the handles for your active and public personal social media accounts.

All entries must be submitted and received by 11:59 p.m. ET on October 22, 2024.

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Ramada by Wyndham will select the winning CEO on or around the week of November 14, 2024. No purchase is necessary to enter. For more details, including official rules, visit www.ramada.com/ceo. Good luck!

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Happy birthday Rory Gilmore! Like the true Gilmore Girls fall gal she is, Rory's birthday is in the best autumn month: October. The bookworm would turn 40 on October 8 this year, and this milestone birthday had me thinking about Rory's 16th birthday. On a recent rewatch, I noticed one thing about the scene I'd never seen before: when Alexis leans over to blow out the candles on Rory's birthday cake, her boa almost catches on fire until Keiko Agena (who played Lane Kim on the series) saves it at the last moment!

What episode is Rory's 16th birthday?

Warner Bros. TV

In "Rory's Birthday Parties" (Gilmore Girls season 1, episode 6), Rory's turning 16 and both Lorelai and Emily have very different ideas of how they can celebrate. Emily and Richard throw Rory a posh get together, complete with all the Chilton students who don't actually like her, while Lor gathers the residents of Stars Hollow for a laidback party.

Sookie makes a delicious cake with Rory's face on it, and when Rory leans over the blow out the candles, there's a moment when her feather boa (and a bit of Alexis Bledel's hair) get a little too close to the fire. Good thing Keiko Agena swoops in to save the day!

Warner Bros. TV

This is one of my favorite Gilmore Girls episodes because it perfectly balances the zaniness of Stars Hollow (seen in Sookie's hilarious birthday cake) with something everyone can take part in, even if we can't visit Lorelai and Rory ;).

When is Rory Gilmore's birthday?

Warner Bros. TV

Rory Gilmore's birthday is October 8, 1984! That technically makes her a part of Gen X, but you know she's still our millennial queen!

What's Rory Gilmore's zodiac sign?

Warner Bros. TV

Rory Gilmore is a Libra, which makes SO much sense! She craves peace and harmony, but sometimes her inability to choose sides really gets her into trouble. Rory could honestly pro/con list her life until the end of time, but thankfully she has folks in her corner to eventually get her out of her own head.

How old was Lorelai when Rory was 16?

Warner Bros. TV

Lorelai had Rory when she was 16 years old, so on Rory's 16th birthday, Lorelai is 32.

In what episode does Rory turn 17?

Warner Bros. TV

Since Rory's 16th birthday party is in season 1, her 17th birthday would be in season 2. We know that Lorelai and Max were supposed to get married at the end of summer, which means season 2, episode 3, "Red Light on the Wedding Night," in which Lorelai calls off the wedding, would take probably place around the end of August, while episode 10, "The Bracebridge Dinner," is around Christmastime. My guess is Rory's 17th birthday is around episode 6 or 7.

Warner Bros. TV

Did you catch this moment from Rory's 16th birthday? Check out why TikTok’s Viral 'Demure Fall' Trend Is SO Rory Gilmore.

The early 2000s were true teen drama royalty like we'll never see again, and One Tree Hill's Hilarie Burton (who played Peyton Sawyer for the first 6 seasons) loved shows likeGilmore Girls and The OC as much as you did. But as she remembers it, One Tree Hill didn't always feel as beloved as it is now.

"We were the nerds," she jokes. "Like, you would see every other chick get beauty campaigns and things, and we were just kind of the stepchild."

Warner Bros. Television

Despite the fact One Tree Hill might not have been considered the golden child at the time, the series has garnered a cult following since its on-air days, drawing fans to Wilmington, North Carolina for its anniversary celebration, and nearly breaking the internet when news of a sequel series leaked online.

"It's very, very early development," Burton says. "And so what has been really cool for us? And when I say us, I mean the entire cast, like everybody and our old crew, they're all really proud of the work that we did back then too. And so to see the public support this little show we made 20 years later, that's so special and it's so rare. And I love that, even though that news was leaked, Netflix gets to see that public outpouring of support. That's cool. So, fingers crossed we'll make it to the next step."

Warner Bros. Television

Burton was in her twenties for the majority of OTH, and while she (alongside other female cast members of the show) have since vocalized the mistreatment they experienced from showrunner Mark Schwahn, the challenges of her twenties don't overshadow the accomplishments.

"I was not afraid to say difficult things in my twenties," she says. "And what I can tell other people in their twenties is that the long game will pay off. If you say the difficult thing and you say the truth, and you don't mask and you don't make up an alternative narrative, people will eventually realize that you were right."

Although the people pleaser in all of us might not want to rock the boat, she praises young people who refuse to accept toxicity: "We definitely have a feistier generation coming up than what I grew up in."

Getty Images for Netflix

With her fiery attitude and sharp sense of humor, I have no problem believing Burton was one of the feistiest women of her generation, and she now finds herself advocating for a new phase in her own life: perimenopause. The actress is currently partnering with OLLY for their new Mellow Menopause supplements, bringing awareness to a conversation that should have been happening all along.

Burton never really had a menstrual cycle until she started birth control, which messed with her hormones and led to a Xanax prescription she never needed. And as she aged, she moved from having pain during her period to having it during ovulation. "I felt like there was something really wrong with me because no one had explained that could happen," she says. "So the more we can throw out what the symptoms are, I think the calmer people will be in their exploration of their own bodies."

Knowledge and education are power, and Burton firmly believes the more you understand your body, your hormones, and your emotions, the safer you'll feel. But that's only one silver lining she's found.

Hilarie Burton/Instagram

"I've talked about the feminine rage that I feel like I've earned," she says. "That Kesha song 'Joyride' came out this summer. She says, 'I've earned the right to be like this.' And I was like, 'Yeah, of course.' I think we spend our twenties experimenting. We spend our thirties kind of, like, establishing our careers and what our goals are. And then our forties are about knowing who we are and owning it. And if biology wants to come out swinging, I think we're in a place where we can control that and we can handle it."

That isn't to say perimenopause hasn't come without its unexpected moments, like having to convince others she really was experiencing perimenopause, despite being "too young." "The more research I did, and then in talking to my doctor, my instinct was right," she reveals. "I was beginning the [menopause] journey, and rather than try to hide it or treat it like a deficit, I get to own it. Now I get to treat it and I get to help other women navigate it. And that feels so much better when you're going through a bad thing, but you know that you're helping someone else through it. It doesn't feel as scary."

Mat Hayward/Getty Images for Ketel One

But while it's important to be vocal about our experiences, I also can't help but point out how it feels like men never have to talk about aging — they just get to do it and no one bats an eye. "Yeah, I think it's important to act like a man," Burton jokes. She remembers when her husband (actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan) embraced his natural gray hair, no one in the industry considered him too old for Hollywood.

"In fact, people thought he was hotter," she says. "So I wanted to act like a man in that journey [and embrace my own gray hair]. And so the different reaction I had was a little bit startling, but also made me laugh...I want to treat this chapter of my life as my expertise chapter. I know what I'm doing. I've been training for 20 years, 25, it's been a lot and I wanted to acknowledge that I know what I'm doing and when I talk about my body, I want to know exactly what I'm talking about."

And part of that expertise is knowing herself inside and out. On the days Burton doesn't feel like herself, whether because of hormones or mental health, she emphasizes how important it is to actually communicate those feelings. "It has been vital for me to communicate, not just with my husband, but with my teenage son," she says. "I want him to grow up to be the kind of man that's supportive of the women in his workplace and the women in his life. You know, we all talk about how we need to educate our daughters, but we also need to educate our sons."

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

And looking back on her own teenage years, Burton reveals her experience with perimenopause has actually reinforced the values she identified during that period in her life. "I think being a teenager and seeing these people who were gods [in the industry], seeing how insecure and unhappy some of them were really tipped me off right away," she says. "Success is being okay in your little bubble, being okay in your bedroom at night when you're alone by yourself. And so my goals have always kind of centered on, 'Do I feel okay when I'm all by myself?' and menopause is one of those things that can rattle that safety for people."

"It's about knowing who you are so much that no one else can take it away from you," she continues. "And whether it's your work or a sh—ty boyfriend or whatever, you have to know yourself so well that no one can take it away, and menopause can mess with that sometimes. And I'm gonna fight like hell to keep who I am."

Loveall things OTH? Check out This One Moment Proves Brooke Davis Is The Best Character On One Tree Hill.

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Miracles happen once in a while, which is apparent because The Princess Diaries 3 is in the works at Disney, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It's been 20 years since we last saw Mia, Lily, and Queen Clarisse (and since all three took part in one of the greatest birthday party scenes in film history. Tons of snacks! Karaoke! Mattress surfing!).

The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2 remain heartfelt, uplifting, and empowering, and we'll never get tired of them. Plus, the resurgence of Y2K pop culture just makes dressing up like Mia more fun than it already was. While much of this reported film (including the cast) is still rumor-only, we do have a few tidbits to share and will keep updating as news is released.

Who's in The Princess Diaries 3 cast?

Buena Vista Pictures/Walt Disney Studios

Anne Hathaway finally confirmed her return to the world of Genovia with an Instagram video in early October. But will Chris Pine be joining her?

"I don't know anything," the actor said on The Today Show on October 8. "Call Disney. Call Bob Iger. The answer is honestly I don’t know anything about it. I think it’s fantastic."

Chris' character Nicholas Devreaux, and his relationship with Mia in Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, was a lot of millennial and Gen Z viewers' first enemies-to-lovers relationship, and it's safe to say we've never been the same. While Chris Pine claims he has no clue whether he'll return, his recent haircut (which is very similar to Nicholas') has fans calling his bluff.

"I need Chris Pine to return as Nicholas Devereaux looking like this in Princess Diaries 3, and I will not be taking questions at this time," one X user tweeted, while another agrees, "oh he's definitely already taping the 3rd movie as we speak and you can't convince me otherwise."

Julie Andrews and Raven-Symoné have also been a part of the franchise, but there's no word on whether they'd return either. In December of 2022, Variety reported that Julie Andrews doubts that she'll be able to return to the franchise, but we're still holding out hope!

Stay tuned for the official Princess Diaries 3 cast list!

When is the Princess Diaries 3 release date?

Walt Disney Studios

Rom-com fans will be thrilled to know Adele Lim, who worked on Crazy Rich Asians (one of the best rom-coms of the 21st Century) will direct. We don't have a release date yet, but it appears pre-production has begun. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Supergirl and Quantum Leap writer Aadrita Mukerji is working on the script, and producer Debra Martin Chase (who worked on the first two films) is returning to produce. We're all in favor of women behind the scenes, so this news gets two thumbs up from us!

Anne Hathaway (whose new movie The Idea Of You is streaming on Prime Video now) recently revealed the movie's development is going very well. “We’re in a good place,” she tells V Magazine. “That’s all I can say. There’s nothing to announce yet. But we’re in a good place.”

What has Anne Hathaway said about Julie Andrews?

Buena Vista Pictures/Walt Disney Studios

In her recent cover story with Vanity Fair, Anne Hathaway talks about how working with Julie Andrews changed her life forever. “She respected that [fans] had a relationship to her work that spanned their entire lives and made it a beautiful experience for them,” she says of Julie stopping to sign autographs every day during The Princess Diaries. “I don’t know that I was always capable of that. So I’ve learned that I want to handle myself in a way that I’m going to be proud of at a later date.”

Anne also has a major appreciation for howThe Princess Diaries franchise as a whole turned her life upside down. "This was the film that changed my life," she says. "It felt so big at the time, and it wound up being so big, and it's kind of just gotten bigger as my life has progressed...So this is a total fusion of life and work, and all the things, and I'm just so proud to be in this movie."

What is The Princess Diaries 3 about?

Buena Vista Pictures/Walt Disney Studios

We don't have an official script, but according to sources, the film might continue the storyline from the previous two movies. Based on the books by Meg Cabot, both films follow Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway), an awkward high schooler who learns she is next in line to be queen of Genovia. Makeovers, royal balls, romance, and tons of fun follow.

Gary Marshall, the director of the first two movies who passed away in 2016, told People that one idea he shared with Anne Hathaway was to set The Princess Diaries 3 in the big city: "It looks like we want to do Princess Diaries 3 in Manhattan." As someone who lives in New York City, I might be biased, but setting the story in Manhattan would be INCREDIBLE. Would Mia hang out at the Met? Would the movie feature any nods to The Devil Wears Prada? Anne Hathaway, if you need another background extra, hit me up!

Where can you watch The Princess Diaries 3?

Buena Vista Pictures/Walt Disney Studios

It's TBD whether this film would release in theaters or on streaming, but you can watch both The Princess Diariesand The Princess Diaries 2on Disney+ now ;).

What's the Princess Diaries cast saying?

Buena Vista Pictures/Walt Disney Studios

Don't fret, Princess Diaries fans, Chris Pine is TOTALLY on board for a Genovian reunion. "Yeah, I'm here! I'm here for it," Pine told Entertainment Tonight. "Give me a phone call or an email."

The actor (and our personal crush) played Lord Nicholas Deveraux in 2004's The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement. Deveraux rivaled Anne Hathaway's Princess Mia Thermopolis for the throne, becoming her friend and love interest.

Recently, Hathaway toldPeople that the a third installment in the franchise was still in development and far from production, but it was "thrilling" to "see the level of excitement for it." However, while the movie industry gears turn slowly, she is still very much advocating for the long-awaited three-quel.

Are you excited for The Princess Diaries 3? Tweet us your thoughts and follow us on Pinterest for more entertainment and pop culture content!

This story was originally published on December 14, 2022 and has been updated with new reporting.

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

While I love a good lipstick, sometimes you need something that's a little more understated and a lot more hydrating — that's where tinted lip balms come in. These are absolutely perfect for the coming colder months, giving you an opportunity to add a little color to your face, while also being practical and moisturizing in the face of harsh, chilly winds. So if you've ever thought to yourself, "The best tinted lip balm doesn't exist," get ready! Here are all the tinted lip balms we're obsessed with right now!

What's the most popular tinted lip balm?

Amazon

From what I've seen, Burt's Bee's Tinted Lip takes the cake! It was mentioned so many times on Reddit that I lost count. Meant to offer 8 hours of hydration, it's formulated with beeswax and is free of parabens, petrolatum, SLS, and phtalates! You can also find shea butter in the formula which adds to the moisturized feeling this claims to give.

If you're still not convinced, take a look at what customers are actually saying about this tinted lip balm.

What are people really saying about it?

Burt's Bees

You can count on customers to give their honest opinions, especially if those reviews are coming from Reddit. Here's what stood out to me about this tinted lip balm:

  • "I love Burt’s bees tinted lip balm. I use it all the time year round."
  • "Burt's Bees is my ride or die, so much so that I keep spare tubes in my backpack, purse and at home haha."
  • "Just tried Burt’s bees lip balm in shade Hibiscus…loved it!"
  • "It's got a nice amount of color and shine to look put together but it doesn't look like you are trying hard.

Shop The Best Tinted Lip Balm 

Amazon

Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm

More Tinted Lip Balms That Are Equally Perfect

Amazon

Kosas Moisturizing Wet Stick

If you're looking to add color and moisture, then this option from Kosas is perfect! With a 4.5 star rating on Amazon, users say that the "lightweight" Wet Stick "goes on very smoothly," and is "almost sheer with just enough color." Sounds like the perfect everyday tinted lip balm to me!

Amazon

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

I've mentioned how much I love Summer Fridays before, but it hadn't dawned on me to give their lip butter balm a chance yet. What makes it unique is that it's actually performs just like a lip mask does, offering maximum hydration to lips that feel like Spongebob did when he tried to pretend he didn't need water in Sandy's tree dome. This tinted lip butter balm is full of shea and murumuru seed butters — perfect for adding moisture to your gorgeous pout!

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Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment

Made from beet root and sugar cane, this tinted lip balm is meant to last you 24 hours! The mauve color is darker than some of the more neutral balms, but don't worry — it's sheer and buildable, so you can make the color work for you! IMO, I would definitely grab this for all your fall beauty looks!

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Maybelline Green Edition Balmy Lip Blush

You and I may be looking for the best tinted lip balm, but Maybelline's version of it is considered a 'balmy blush' for the lips. As far as I'm concerned, it still does everything we're looking for. It glides on like a lipstick, but it offers a buttery feel that leaves behind a touch of color that makes it look like your lips are blushing...hence the name.

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Tower 28 JuiceBalm Tinted Lip Balm

We're big Tower 28 fans over here, so I'm excited to share this tinted lip balm with you! This balm has a shea butter base and features other great ingredients like mango seed oil, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C — so good for those days your lips need a little extra nourishing! The color is described as "natural-looking," so this is perfect when you need a little coverage without making a bold statement.

Amazon

bareMinerals Dewy Lipgloss-Balm

Don't sleep on bareMinerals — they have a dewy lipgloss balm that has a stellar 4.5 rating on Amazon. It's a vegan product that promises to give you 24 hours of juicy hydration, though I'm not sure if you'll need it for that long! Let's just say it'll get you through a full of classes, work, and happy hour with you friends.

Amazon

Keys Soulcare Comforting Tinted Lip Balm

Tinted lip balms are often described as buttery because of the butters in them, but Keys Soulcare is offering something silkier. It's not skimping on the moisture factor, so don't overlook it! One Amazon customer said this balm has the "perfect non-sticky feel" and isn't "overly glossy/shiny" — major win!

Amazon

Laura Gellar New York Moisturizing Tinted Lip Balm

I love when beauty products have names that get straight to the point — just like Laura Gellar New York's Moisturizing Tinted Lip Balm. It immediately lets you know your lips are in for a succulent treat because they'll be cushioned in comfort and sheer color that'll make people do a double-take when they pass you.

Amazon

Honest Beauty Tinted Lip Balm

Am I going to stop at one vegan lip balm? Of course not! I'm partial to anyone who with sensitive skin because it's no fun having allergic reactions to beauty products. It's also not fun simultaneously having an eczema flareup on your face, so why not use something that's soothing, moisturizing, and clean?

This lip balm is made with acai extracts and avocado oils without the aid of petrolatum, parrafins, parabens, synthetic fragrances, silicones, or mineral oils. Whew! Try saying that in one breath!

Amazon

e.l.f. Hydrating Core Lip Shine

Don't be alarmed by the name because this is still a conditioning and nourishing lip balm. It's just a little shinier than most formulas! I personally love the heart-shaped center because it feels like a nod to the care that e.l.f. usually puts into it's products.

You're essentially going to to get a 2-for-1 deal because this lip balm because the outer portion of it provides the sheer color you're craving while the interior is full of ingredients like Vitamin E. How fun is that?

Follow our Amazon Storefront for more of the beauty products we can't stop buying!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.