Silent Suffering ends Now: Experts Urge Women to Seek help for Heavy, Painful Periods
Auckland, New Zealand – A growing chorus of medical professionals are urging women to challenge the long-held belief that debilitating periods are simply “part of being a woman.” As Tend Women’s Health Week (August 11-17) approaches, doctors are emphasizing that severe cramping, excessive bleeding, and notable pain are not normal and often indicate underlying medical conditions requiring intervention.
For generations, many girls and women have been conditioned to endure painful and heavy periods in silence. This deeply ingrained misconception is now being actively dismantled by healthcare providers like Dr. Eileen Sables, a GP at Tend Pakuranga, who are advocating for open conversations and proactive medical care.
“The idea that you should just ‘tough it out’ is incredibly damaging,” explains Dr.Sables. “Women are losing valuable quality of life, missing work and school, and simply suffering unnecessarily as they believe their symptoms are normal.”
One of the most significant indicators of an abnormally heavy period is the presence of blood clots. Contrary to common belief, any clotting during menstruation is not typical. To illustrate the extent of normal blood loss, experts point to a benchmark of approximately 60ml – roughly the volume of a shot glass – for an entire menstrual cycle. When bleeding exceeds this amount, blood can accumulate in the uterus and clot as it struggles to pass through the cervix.
Recognizing the Warning Signs:
Beyond clotting, several other symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. These include:
Frequent Changing of sanitary Products: Needing to change protection more then once an hour.
Disruptive Pain: Period pain that interferes with daily activities, such as work, school, or exercise.
Prolonged Bleeding: Bleeding lasting longer than seven days.
flooding or Leaking: Experiencing heavy flow that saturates clothing despite using adequate sanitary protection.
Clots of Any Size: The presence of any clots, regardless of their size, should be discussed with a doctor.
Effective Treatments are Available
The good news is that a range of effective treatments are available to manage heavy bleeding and severe period pain. These options,tailored to individual needs,can significantly reduce menstrual flow and associated discomfort.
“We have medications like tranexamic acid, which helps to clot the blood, and hormonal options like the combined oral contraceptive pill or the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (IUS), which can significantly lighten periods and reduce pain,” explains Dr. Sarah Hill, a gynecologist at Auckland Hospital. “There are also non-hormonal options like mefenamic acid, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) specifically used for period pain.”
Furthermore, for some women, investigations like an ultrasound or hysteroscopy may be recommended to rule out underlying conditions such as fibroids, polyps, or endometriosis – a condition affecting an estimated 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.
Don’t Delay Seeking Help
Healthcare professionals are urging women not to postpone seeking medical advice. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent long-term health complications and dramatically improve quality of life.”Don’t suffer in silence,” Dr. Sables emphasizes. “Book an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and explore the treatment options available to you. Your health and wellbeing are worth it.”
resources:
Tend: https://www.tend.co.nz/
Endometriosis New Zealand: https://www.endometriosis.org.nz/
New Zealand Ministry of Health – Women’s Health: https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/womens-health