What's fact and fiction when it comes to your periods... and the action you can take

Now we're happy talking about the menopause, we need to address myths around other intimate women's health issues

- CATHERINE FORREST

WHILE it certainly feels less taboo to talk about some women's health issues like menopause, sexual health, and infertility - it seems period health is still frequently seen as "off limits" and remains shrouded in myths and misconceptions. This is a problem, especially as new research reveals that millions of women are so negatively impacted by period pain, heavy bleeding and other menstrual challenges, they will often alter their daily routines.

Symptoms can have such a disruptive effect on some women's lives that, at some time, nine in 10 women wished they didn't menstruate at all.

A study, commissioned by Evana and Ultravana, over-thecounter treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding and period pain, also found that almost half the women who were surveyed (49 per cent), wrongly believe they have to accept period problems - despite the ready availability of effective treatments.

Many women don't even ask their GP about disruptive symptoms, despite the fact that they could be a sign of a serious health condition such as endometriosis or cancer.