A college in Beijing is facing intense backlash after a student alleged she was forced to show proof of menstruation in order to receive a sick note. The incident came to light through a viral video posted to social media earlier this month, filmed inside what appears to be a campus clinic.

In the video, a young woman confronts a clinic staff member, asking:
“Does every menstruating girl have to take off their trousers and show you before they can get a sick note?”
“Basically yes,” the staff member responds. “This is a school rule.”

The location was later identified as the clinic at Gengdan Institute of Beijing University of Technology. The college issued a statement saying staff had followed protocol and that no physical examination was conducted. However, the school’s explanation has failed to calm growing public outrage, with many social media users calling the requirement a serious invasion of privacy.

Both the student’s video and the school’s official response have since been deleted, although screenshots and excerpts continue to circulate online. On Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, a user claiming to be the student said her account was suspended for 30 days for allegedly posting “pornographic content” — a claim linked to the video.

In its now-deleted statement dated May 16, Gengdan Institute said the online footage had been "distorted" and threatened legal action against individuals it claimed were “maliciously spreading false videos.” The school also emphasized that clinic staff had obtained the student’s consent before initiating any interaction and had followed internal procedures.

The video shows the student requesting written confirmation of the school’s menstruation-check policy — a request that went unanswered. The staff member instead advised her to visit a hospital.

The response online has been fierce and sarcastic.
“My head hurts, should I open my skull and call it a day?” one user wrote.
Another quipped: “Let’s just take the sanitary pad out and paste it on the sick note.”

A Gengdan staff member told local media outlet Dute News that the rule may have been created to prevent students from faking menstrual pain to skip classes — a justification that has drawn more criticism.

“If they’re worried about students abusing the excuse, why not just keep a record instead?” one Weibo user asked.

China National Radio also weighed in, stating: “Menstruation is already a private matter for women. Rules like this risk making students feel violated and could harm their mental well-being.”

This is not the first time Chinese universities have been accused of overstepping boundaries. Last year, schools were criticised for banning privacy curtains in dormitories and for issuing overly strict travel guidelines during holidays, including restrictions on solo or cycling trips.

On Xiaohongshu, a user identifying as a Gengdan student claimed that such policies were not new.
“This has been happening for a while. Some girls complained before, but nothing changed,” the user said.
“I’m glad it made headlines this time. People didn’t stay silent.”

As scrutiny intensifies, Gengdan Institute now finds itself at the center of a national conversation about privacy, gender sensitivity, and institutional power on college campuses.