A opposition TD says Ireland should be looking into menstrual leave for women, following on from proposals in Spain.
Louise O'Reilly was speaking as women who suffer severe period pain could get up to three days off work each month under Spanish reform plans.
It would be a first in Europe, while several countries in Asia - including Japan, South Korea and Taiwan - offer similar leave.
The TD for Dublin Fingal told The Hard Shoulder this is something Ireland should consider.
"I think we definitely should look at it, it's a very interesting proposal.
"I was thinking as I was walking over here: If 14-year-old me knew that 48-year-old me would be on the national radio talking about periods I would have died.
"So actually fair play to you - this is a really, really good conversation to be having.
"For far too long women who might get your period when you're in work, and you're whispering and you're running over to one of your colleagues 'Have you get a tampon?'
"We would have been a bit secretive about it - I went to a mixed school, it was very much the girls together.
"We would be whispering about it, we didn't talk about it openly.
"I think it's really good, and I think what they've done in Spain is very positive".
'Suite of measures'
Ms O'Reilly says this could actually make workers more productive.
"I think we need to look at it; there's a whole range of reasons why.
"It can be a bit more difficult to be in work some days than others, and I think we need to examine those reasons why.
"As part of a kind of suite of measures that recognise that sometimes you can't be in work.
"On those days when you can't be in work - and you need to be at home or you need to be away for a short period of time - it makes the days when you're in work actually more productive.
"There's a four-day week revolution coming - it has started, the conversation has started and some companies are introducing it.
"And they'll tell you productivity goes up, workers feel valued.
"So they're not dragging themselves into work on days when they can't".
