It's time to talk..period

EXPERTS HELP BUST MENSTRUATION MYTHS

- BY 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 that 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-the-counter treatments for heavy menstrual bleeding and period pain, also found that almost half the women who were surveyed (49%) wrongly believe they have to accept period problems - despite the ready availability of effective treatments.