WHAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW:

Women should stop minimising these often life-disrupting symptoms and accept help

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WHAT'S NORMAL? Just over half the women surveyed menstruate for four or five days, and 52% thought this was "about average". But there's a wide range for what is considered 'normal'.

Dr Janine David says: "Most women menstruate around every 28 days, but periods can come from every 21 to 35 days. Your period can last for two to seven days, but typically lasts for five, with bleeding heaviest on the first day or two."

Blood loss also varies, with anything between one to five tablespoons considered normal. A simple definition of a "heavy" period is one which negatively impacts life and forces a change, such as avoiding light-coloured clothing, carrying a change of clothes or time off work. Of those surveyed, 8% said their periods were so heavy they resorted to incontinence pads.

WHEN IS PAIN A PROBLEM?