Spain Parliament approved a law Thursday allowing working women three days of sick leave each month, with the possibility of extending it to five days, for women experiencing painful periods.

The bill allows women to call in sick "in case of incapacitating menstruation," the Spanish Congress said in a statement issued Thursday.

The leave requires a doctor's note, and the public social security system covers the bill.

It was stated that the new policy will help fight stereotypes and myths related to the menstrual period which hinder the lives of women.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said that half of menstruating women experience dysmenorrhea, or period pain, for one or two days every month with some experiencing pain so severe that they are unable to perform normal activities for several days.

Menstrual leave is currently available only in a small number of countries worldwide, such as Indonesia, Japan and Zambia with some companies in other countries offering the leave as part of their internal policy.