Latest news with #WellbeingofWomen
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
6 signs you need to see a doctor about your period
Periods are a routine – though often unwelcome – part of life for millions of women and people who menstruate. And for some, symptoms can affect everyday life. A recent study found more than a third (36%) of girls said they missed 1.7 days of school a year as a result of heavy or prolonged bleeding. And a survey by UK charity Wellbeing of Women found over half of women say periods are negatively impacting their lives. Yet, despite this, many of us are reluctant to see a doctor if we're struggling with our menstrual cycle. "The stigma and shame around periods mean many women delay seeking help for treatable symptoms," Janet Lindsay, CEO of Wellbeing of Women, tells Yahoo UK. "Our 'Just a Period' survey found that women wait nearly two years from the onset of issues like pain or heavy bleeding before speaking to a doctor," she adds. This wait can not only affect your daily life but may lead to a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, ovarian cysts or, in rare cases, some forms of cancer. Understanding what's normal – and what's not – is key to getting help sooner. Here are six signs it might be time to speak to your GP about your period. Mild cramping at the start of your period is common. But pain that leaves you curled up on the floor, vomiting, or unable to function isn't something to brush off. "A period that stops you from living is not normal," says Dr Aziza Sesay, a GP and ambassador for Wellbeing of Women. "Whether that's going to school, work, or even just walking around – that's a red flag." "There's this narrative that women are just made to suffer," she continues. "But just because it's common doesn't mean it's normal." Intense pain around your period could be a sign of conditions including endometriosis – where cells similar to the womb lining grow elsewhere in the body, causing inflammation, pain and scar tissue – and adenomyosis, where the womb lining grows into the muscle wall. Fibroids, non-cancerous growths in or around the womb, can also cause painful periods. Changing a pad or tampon every one to two hours is an indicator of heavy menstrual bleeding – what Dr Sesay calls 'flooding'. "That's where you're frequently changing products, wearing both [a tampon and a pad] together, or even needing to sleep on a towel,' she explains. 'And it's not normal. A tampon should not fill up every 60 minutes, for example." This level of bleeding can impact your iron levels, leading to anaemia, which may cause tiredness, dizziness, headaches or shortness of breath, she explains. She advises speaking to your GP if you need to change products frequently or are regularly passing blood clots larger than 2.5cm (around the size of a 10p coin). While heavy periods can be normal for some people, they can also be caused by conditions including fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), according to the NHS. Unexpected bleeding can be a sign that something isn't right. This includes spotting between periods, after sex, or bleeding post-menopause. This type of bleeding might be linked to cervical polyps (small, usually benign tissue growths on the neck of the womb), infections, or more serious conditions such as endometrial or cervical cancer, Dr Sesay explains. While cancers are less common, she stresses early diagnosis is key. "Bleeding between periods, after sex, or post-menopause should always be investigated," Dr Sesay continues. "It could be a sign of something hormonal, but it might also indicate cervical or womb-related conditions. The sooner we know, the faster we can rule these out." Everyone's cycle is slightly different, but it's worth paying attention if yours changes noticeably or becomes unpredictable. Periods that suddenly become heavier, more painful, or arrive less than 21 days or more than 35 days apart could indicate an issue, according to Dr Sesay. "Conditions like thyroid disorders, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – a common condition that affects how a woman's ovaries work – or even early perimenopause can all affect your menstrual rhythm," she says. When your period starts skipping without an obvious reason, such as pregnancy, contraception or menopause, it might be time to investigate. One missed period isn't always a cause for alarm, but Dr Sesay says, "frequent irregularity without explanation" is a red flag. "Stress, excessive exercise, weight loss or PCOS are common culprits,' she explains. "Track your cycle and bring that information to your GP. It makes the appointment more effective, as your doctor will be able to see your patterns clearly." Thanks to hormonal shifts, feeling low, anxious, or irritable before your period is common. But when emotional symptoms become extreme, disruptive, or hard to manage, it could be more than premenstrual syndrome (PMS). "There's a condition called Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), and it's far more serious than regular PMS," Dr Sesay explains. PMDD is a little-known hormone-based condition that affects around one in 20 people who have periods worldwide. Symptoms include depression, anxiety and irritability, as well as reduced motivation, focus and libido. It can also be life-threatening: 34% of women with PMDD have attempted suicide, according to the International Association for Premenstrual Disorders (IAPMD). Dr Sesay stresses it's important to seek help and support as soon as possible if you're struggling with any of these symptoms. "Please don't delay visiting your doctor. We want to help support you; it's what we're here for. You don't have to suffer," she says. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Doctor Aziza Sesay| MBChB DRCOG MRCGP DFSRH (@talkswithdrsesay) Tracking your cycle, checking your body and trusting your instincts are all important ways to catch any issues early, according to Dr Sesay. "It's about asking yourself, 'what's my normal?' so that you know when your body feels off," she says. She advises using a tracker like the Wellbeing of Women Period Symptom Checker if you've noticed any changes in symptoms, saying, 'it only takes a few minutes to use and can help prepare you for what to tell your doctor". She also advises being persistent when it comes to menstrual issues."If someone dismisses your concerns, ask again," she says. "See another GP. Don't give up." Beyond recognising red flags, looking after your general health can also help keep your cycle stable. "What we do in our lifestyle will have an impact on our overall health – and that includes our cycle," she says. She recommends avoiding smoking and vaping, keeping alcohol under 14 units a week, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress. Read more about periods: Locked Loos And Leaks At School: Students Are Facing Too Many Barriers On Their Periods (Huffpost, 4-min read) What you need to know about menstrual cups, as doctors issue warning (Yahoo Life, 8-min read) What is PMDD? Vicky Pattison diagnosed with condition after 'feeling insane' for years (Yahoo Life, 4-min read)
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How a new period checker could stop millions from ‘suffering in silence'
A charity has launched a new period symptom checker to help women and girls understand their menstrual cycle in more depth, as one of the UK's top women's health doctors warns women are "suffering in silence" with menstrual problems. Wellbeing of Women's period checker asks users various questions about health and reproductive symptoms and takes only four minutes to complete. At the end, it drafts a letter for women to give to their GP in order to open up discussions about their symptoms. The charity said that many women are "putting up with" debilitating pain and heavy bleeding, with those suffering from period problems waiting an average of two years before seeking help. In 2023, a survey of 3,000 women and girls for Wellbeing of Women found that 96% experienced period pain, with 59% describing their pain as severe. A huge majority (91%) said they experienced heavy periods, with nearly half (49%) saying their bleeding was severe. Despite their symptoms, the survey found that women and girls are often dismissed as "just having a period", with 51% saying they felt their doctors failed to take their pain seriously. But severe pain and heavy bleeding, as well as irregular cycles, may be a sign of conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The new tool comes after the Women and Equalities Committee of MPs published a report in December concluding that many girls are leaving school without knowing what a "normal" period looks like. The report added that the prevalence of "medical misogyny" is leading to women living with unnecessary pain for years. The MPs suggested there is a lack of medical research, treatment options and specialists, adding that the "de-prioritisation" of gynaecological care have led to waiting lists have grown faster than any other speciality. Professor Dame Lesley Regan, a leading gynaecologist and chairwoman of Wellbeing of Women, said: "It is shocking that women are still suffering severe period pain and heavy bleeding in silence. "A variety of medical treatments could be offered to girls and women with these distressing conditions. We hope that our new Period Symptom Checker will encourage women to speak up and seek help for their period problems. "It aims to promote better engagement with GPs and other community healthcare professionals by creating a letter that outlines how their symptoms are affecting their everyday lives." Watch: "I was told I had period pain - it was endometriosis, two uteruses and cervixes" The charity also commissioned a poll, conducted by Censuswide, that found only one in 10 women can identify all the signs of heavy menstrual bleeding. It called for better education about menstrual health and said this is urgent to encourage women to seek treatment, whether through an appointment with their GP or community healthcare professional, or by taking better care of themselves. Dr Michael Mulholland, honorary secretary at the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), said: "It's never easy to hear when any patient reports not feeling as though they have been listened to. "We want all women to feel confident about turning to their GP for timely and appropriate care. "Women's health is a key part of the RCGP curriculum that all GPs in training must demonstrate competence of before they are able to practise independently as a GP, and we will continue to support initiatives like Wellbeing of Women's Period Symptom Checker to raise awareness and challenge the normalisation of period problems." Additional reporting by PA Read more about women's health: How do period-tracking apps work, and should you use them for fertility? (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read) 'Medical misogyny' means women endure years of gynaecological pain, new report says (Sky News, 3-min read) More than a million women keep period sick days a secret (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)
The Independent
11-02-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Nine in 10 women don't know signs of heavy periods, research says
As few as one in ten women can pinpoint signs of heavy menstrual bleeding, as one of the UK's top women's health doctors says women and girls were 'suffering in silence' from period problems, despite the availability of potential treatments. Research by the charity Wellbeing of Women found that one in two women (51 per cent) said their period negatively impacts their life, and the same proportion avoid exercise when on their period while nearly three in five (57 per cent) experienced problems at work because of their period. A Censuswide survey of 3000 people, commissioned by the charity, found that half of women also said their period symptoms had been dismissed, and just under a quarter said they felt their symptoms had been dismissed by a healthcare professional. The survey found that only one in 10 women can identify all the signs of heavy menstrual bleeding, and more than six in 10 women did not realise that avoiding daily activities because of bleeding was a sign of heavy bleeding. GP and health content creator Dr Aziza Sesay said when she posts videos talking about period symptoms that aren't normal - including having to change period products every hour and having to put towels down in bed to avoid flooding - she always gets comments and messages from women and girls who are 'stunned' to learn it. 'It's one of those things that's passed on intergenerationally: if a mum or grandmother has experienced it, she will tell her daughter, 'Don't worry, it just runs in the family',' Dr Sesay said. 'I've done some period education in schools, and it never ceases to surprise me when a young girl comes up to me and says 'I didn't realise painful periods aren't normal, my mum told me it was normal'.' On Tuesday, the charity launched a new period symptom checker to help women and girls understand more about their menstrual cycle, which could help women talk to their GP about receiving better treatment. The checker, which takes just four minutes to complete, asks various questions about health and reproductive symptoms, and at the end of the checker drafts a letter for women to give to their GP which can help open discussions about symptoms. The report and symptom checker comes after a December report from the Women and Equalities Committee of MPs concluded that many girls are leaving school not knowing what constitutes a "normal" period, and that " medical misogyny" is leading to women living with unnecessary pain for years as reproductive conditions go undiagnosed. Wellbeing of Women said many women are "putting up with" disabling levels of pain and heavy bleeding, waiting for an average of two years before seeking help. Professor Dame Lesley Regan, who was appointed as the first-ever Women's Health Ambassador for England under the Conservative government and is the chairwoman of Wellbeing of Women, said: "It is shocking that women are still suffering severe period pain and heavy bleeding in silence. "A variety of medical treatments could be offered to girls and women with these distressing conditions. "We hope that our new Period Symptom Checker will encourage women to speak up and seek help for their period problems. "It aims to promote better engagement with GPs and other community healthcare professionals by creating a letter that outlines how their symptoms are affecting their everyday lives." Wellbeing of Women said that better education about menstrual health is urgently needed to encourage women to seek treatment, which could include an appointment with their GP or community healthcare professional, or better self-care. Dr Michael Mulholland, honorary secretary at the Royal College of GPs, said: "It's never easy to hear when any patient reports not feeling as though they have been listened to. "We want all women to feel confident about turning to their GP for timely and appropriate care ... and we will continue to support initiatives like Wellbeing of Women's Period Symptom Checker to raise awareness and challenge the normalisation of period problems." Signs of an abnormal period Dr Sesay, who is also an ambassador for Wellness of Women, said if your period is 'really heavy or really painful' that is not normal. 'It's important to know that even though something is your normal, it may not be normal … it needs to be checked,' she said. Abnormal symptoms of heavy bleeding include needing to change period products every hour or needing to use both tampons and pads at the same time; having to put towels on your bed to avoid bleeding through bedding, and flooding through clothing. Heavy bleeding can sometimes also cause anaemia, which can lead to shortness of breath, weak limbs, and fatigue. Period pain that disrupts day-to-day life, including needing time off work or school or avoiding exercise, is also not normal, Dr Sesay said. Some of the potential causes of these symptoms include endometriosis, adenomyosis and fibroids. Dr Sesay stresses there are treatments available, from various pain medications to hormonal treatment and surgery, so it's worth talking to your GP.
