Latest news with #periodpain

Impact of periods leading some university students to miss six weeks of degree

Yahoo

21-07-2025

Health
Yahoo

Impact of periods leading some university students to miss six weeks of degree

UK university students miss around six weeks of academic study during their degrees because of the impacts of their menstrual cycle, according to research. Seven in 10 said they feel unable to concentrate on studies or assessments due to period pain, a report from the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi) into the 'hidden impact' of menstruation in higher education. Time missed rose to around 11 weeks over the course of a three-year degree for those who have been diagnosed with a menstruation-related illness, such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome. But the survey of students also found that 15% reported having days or weeks during their cycle when they benefit from a mental or physical boost that helps their focus and performance. The report called for 'thoughtful institutional and governmental responses' to an issue affecting half the population, with a recommendation that clearer language is used and explicit references are made to women's health conditions when considering requests for extensions on assignments or time off. Awareness should be raised about the impact of menstruation in the same way as it is for the menopause, with policies, guidelines and action plans to reduce stigma, provide training and signpost support for both staff and students, the report added. Some 950 people in the survey said they had a period in the previous 12 months – the vast majority women, but 1% identifying as transgender men and 1% as non-binary. The report author said, taking into account the participation of a small number of trans men and the fact some women might not menstruate due to taking contraception, they have used the phrases 'people who menstruate' or 'students who menstruate', which they accepted 'may appear clumsy, (but) they most accurately reflect the data'. As part of the same report, 1,571 people, just over half of whom identified as women, were asked about their perceptions of menstrual education and the impact of menstrual cycles and periods. Just over a fifth (22%) of male students said they had received no lessons about menstrual cycles or periods. Women were more likely than men to describe the education on these topics as poor, with the report saying the findings suggest school education 'may be suitable for those who do not have periods but may need to understand them', but that education for women 'could and should be improved'. Rose Stephenson, Hepi director of policy and report author, said: 'The findings from this report demonstrate the hidden impact of periods and menstrual cycles on students' higher education studies. 'This is a particularly serious issue for those who have been diagnosed with menstruation-related illnesses who miss, on average, 11 weeks of academic study over a three-year degree course. 'Menstrual health is not a niche concern. It is a structural issue that deserves thoughtful institutional and governmental responses.' Professor Dame Sally Mapstone, president of Universities UK, said: 'Historically, menstruation has too often been framed as a source of embarrassment, invisibility, or disadvantage. That should no longer be the case. 'This report sets out a challenge to reflect on how systems, policies and assumptions may obscure the realities of those they serve and to shape a more intelligent, humane and responsive academic culture. That is a challenge well worth taking up.' The Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIAHE) said: 'It is important that providers clearly explain how students can seek support for any personal circumstances affecting them, including menstruation. 'Recently, we have seen that many providers have been taking a more flexible approach to students' personal circumstances, encouraging self-certification options and focusing on the impact on the student rather than on specific medical diagnoses. 'We hope that this will encourage more students affected by the issues identified in this valuable research to seek appropriate support.' A Department for Education spokesperson said: 'Our new sex and health education guidance makes clear that pupils should learn the facts about the menstrual cycle, as well as the associated physical and emotional changes. 'Universities are expected to support students' wellbeing, attendance and academic performance, and we encourage them to make free period products easily available across campus.'

Millions of women live life by their menstrual cycle – including when they exercise & what they wear, study shows

The Sun

16-06-2025

Health
The Sun

Millions of women live life by their menstrual cycle – including when they exercise & what they wear, study shows

A NEW tool tells women the best days of the month to exercise, go on a date, get dressed up for a party, and perform well at work. The calculator has been designed to determine when they will be at their best at different points in their monthly cycle. 1 The nifty asset allows women to input their usual length of cycle and date of last period, before plotting out exactly when they should do – or avoid – certain activities. It has been pulled together by natural period pain supplement monthlies, on the back of its research of 5,000 women in the UK. The findings show millions of women are governed by their menstrual cycle – and its pattern determines when they exercise, how they feel, and what they wear. It emerged 51 per cent feel controlled by their periods – to the extent 32 per cent say it dictates when they have sex, and 21 per cent what and when they eat. Socialising (23 per cent), sleep (20 per cent) and even when to commit to an important meeting (11 per cent) are among the things women plan around their time of the month. The study, by natural period pain supplement brand monthlies, found 54 per cent of those who experience period pain can pinpoint the exact days in the month it will occur. While 91 per cent experience ovulation pain mid-month – with discomfort when the ovaries release the egg felt around days 14 and 15 – with 63 per cent feeling this for more than two days. The average sufferer will also experience bloating for just over seven days of the month. And just seven per cent of lucky women claim to feel balanced and 'normal' for their entire monthly cycle. A spokeswoman for monthlies, which is designed to help with menstrual symptoms and cycle throughout the month, said: 'While this research gives us an 'average' picture of what the monthly cycle can look like, we know every single woman has their own unique set of experiences when it comes to having periods. Ex-Love Islander on what really happens when they get their period in tiny bikinis & the trick that DIDN'T work for her 'And while pain is more commonly felt the few days of bleeding, and at the mid-month point, this is not the case for everyone. 'Every woman needs to learn about their own period journey and work out what works best for them in terms of how to manage their period pain, as well as when to get the best out of themselves personally, professionally and socially.' Women generally do try to stay active for the majority of the month, including when they are on their period (44 per cent) and during ovulation (60 per cent). However, moods can fluctuate throughout the monthly cycle for two thirds of those polled, and six in 10 (59 per cent) often notice differences in their energy levels. Sleep, hunger, and productivity can also vary across the four week cycle. However, on the plus side, the research has highlighted that days 11 to 15 in the average woman's monthly cycle is when they feel the best, have the most energy and the most confidence. These days are also cited as those which are best to take a shopping trip, go out for the evening and feel nicest in clothing. With day 12 voted the best for having sex for the average person experiencing periods polled via OnePoll. The spokeswoman for added: 'Having a period isn't all bad, in fact at times it can be empowering, and depending on what our hormones are doing and when, we can often feel great. 'It's all about learning about your own body, what it responds to, how to look after it and realising that everyone is different.'

Millions of women say their menstrual cycle dictates what they wear

Yahoo

16-06-2025

Health
Yahoo

Millions of women say their menstrual cycle dictates what they wear

Millions of women admit they are governed by their menstrual cycle – and its pattern determines when they exercise, how they feel, and what they wear. A report of 5,000 women in the UK discovered 51 per cent feel controlled by their periods – to the extent 32 per cent say it dictates when they have sex, and 21 per cent what and when they eat. Socialising (23 per cent), sleep (20 per cent) and even when to commit to an important meeting (11 per cent) are among the things women plan around their time of the month. The study [ by natural period pain supplement brand monthlies, found 54 per cent of those who experience period pain can pinpoint the exact days in the month it will occur. While 91 per cent experience ovulation pain mid-month – with discomfort when the ovaries release the egg felt around days 14 and 15 – with 63 per cent feeling this for more than two days. The average sufferer will also experience bloating for just over seven days of the month. And just seven per cent of lucky women claim to feel balanced and 'normal' for their entire monthly cycle. A spokeswoman for monthlies, which is designed to help with menstrual symptoms and cycle throughout the month, said: 'Every woman needs to learn about their own period journey and work out what works best for them in terms of how to manage their period pain, as well as when to get the best out of themselves personally, professionally and socially.'

This UBC-developed website educates youth on when period pain is too much

CBC

28-05-2025

Health
CBC

This UBC-developed website educates youth on when period pain is too much

Social Sharing Researchers at the University of B.C. have created a new website and social media campaign they hope will empower young people to take the experience of period pain more seriously. The website Period Pain is Real Pain, which was created with the input of youth partners, includes resources about period pain, related conditions like endometriosis, and pain relief. It also features a free quiz that helps youth determine whether they should speak to a health-care provider about their pain. Period pain common: researcher UBC PhD student and campaign developer Zeba Khan, who studies period pain care in Canada, said period pain is a very common experience, one that affects more than 60 per cent of females of reproductive age. "Despite being so common, there is this narrative that period pain is normal and 'it's just part of being a woman,'" Khan said. "And that narrative is harmful because it makes it difficult to talk about period pain and get the right support." Khan said period pain can be most intense during adolescence. "We want young people to know that their pain is valid. So we hope that this tool, the website, the campaign will help young people recognize what the options are for them." She added that young people should speak with their health-care providers if their pain is so severe that it stops them from participating in day-to-day activities like going to school or playing sports. Dr. Paul Yong, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UBC, said untreated recurring period pain in adolescence could be a risk factor for chronic pain in the future. "We really think that prevention is really key, in terms of chronic pain, so that's why we have such interest in the adolescence time … not only to help the lives right now of adolescents, but also to prevent that pain from worsening in the future." Accessible information supports patients Endometriosis, a condition in which tissue similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, is one of the most common underlying causes of period pain, according to Yong. It affects about one in 10 females of reproductive age. Vancouver-based endometriosis advocate Lux Perry, CEO and founder of Somedays, a natural period-pain relief company, said a resource website like Period Pain is Real Pain can help people decipher their experiences in a tangible way. "I was unable to go to school; I was unable to participate in sports. It completely disrupted my ability to go about my normal life," Perry said. Cally Wesson, president and CEO of B.C. Women's Health Foundation, which provided funding for the research project, praised the website. She said women's pain experiences can often be dismissed by health-care professionals.

New research links severe period pain to depression

ABC News