Treatment of heavy periods

New research to break the silence on a serious, but treatable women's health condition

More than one-in-two Australian women aged 35-52 years grappling with abnormally long or heavy periods are yet to discuss this serious but treatable medical condition with their doctor, new research reveals.1

To help address this public health issue, two-time athletics World Champion, four-time Commonwealth Champion, women's health doctor, author and mother-of-six, Jana Pittman, 40, Sydney, will team with doctors and women nationwide on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, to announce the new research findings and help champion dialogue, diagnosis, and treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).

The new Australian research captures the experiences, thoughts and attitudes of 5,000 women aged 35-52 years towards this common but rarely discussed health issue.1 Research has shown many women are "suffering in silence" and mistakenly regarding their HMB symptoms as "normal,"2,3 while 92 per cent are calling for more open conversations around treating heavy periods.1

Concerningly, embarrassment was the main reason reported for women's reluctance to seek medical help.1 According to Jana, by not openly discussing their period health, these women are at serious risk of under-diagnosis and under-treatment,2,3 noting almost half (45 per cent) of the research
respondents had no or limited knowledge of HMB treatments.1

"It shouldn't be this bloody difficult. We need to be each other's village, break the silence, talk about our period health, and raise community awareness on behalf of all Australian women and girls who are living with HMB."

Feeling weak, lacking energy, having a pale appearance, being bothered by bleeding or pain, and needing to change sanitary protection every one to two hours were key HMB symptoms reported.1

References
1 Two Blind Mice. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Market Research Quantitative survey with 5,000 Australian women. (2023).
2 Ciccia, D., Doyle, A. K., Ng, C. H. M. & Armour, M. Indigenous Peoples'; Experience and Understanding of Menstrual and
Gynecological Health in Australia, Canada and New Zealand: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental
Research and Public Health, 20, 6321. (2023).
3 Armour, M. et al. Menstrual Health Literacy and Management Strategies in Young Women in Australia: A National Online
Survey of Young Women Aged 13-25 Years. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol, 34, 135-143, doi:10.1016/j.jpag.2020.11.007.