Dr Jacqueline Maybin: Understanding a typical period.
Why everyone needs access to better information about their cycle
According to research from the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, it is estimated that up to one in three women will have problematic bleeding at some point in their reproductive lives. Add to this, the estimate that one in ten are living with endometriosis and one in three will find evidence of a fibroid by the time they’re 35, and it becomes apparent just how common menstrual disorders are.
The concern within the medical community is that too many people are living with a menstrual condition that remains undiagnosed, and that there are some big barriers to break down before the situation can improve.
Dr Jacqueline Maybin, academic gynaecologist at the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health at the University of Edinburgh, believes we need to start with smashing the taboos around discussing menstruation.
"Many people don’t know what typical periods are as few people talk about menstruation. Understanding menstruation and raising concerns when things don’t seem right is a great way for those who experience heavy menstrual bleeding to get access to the right investigations and treatments."
Whilst Dr Maybin acknowledges that the standardised criteria for assessing normal versus heavy periods is helpful for clinicians, she adds that it can be very difficult for women to accurately assess regularity, volume, duration and frequency on their own. She states, “The current rule of thumb is that if periods are having a negative impact on your life, like missing school or work, then you should speak to your doctor.”
Historically there has been a lack of agile research into this area, and even today we’re seeing insufficient data collection around key trials, such as vaccines. As menstruation is something around half the population will experience, this is problematic to say the least.
"Empowering women with relevant information about their cycle, and giving clinicians access to continuously updated data, is vital to improving diagnosis and treatments."
Dr Maybin points to the importance of finding a way for people to effectively self-assess their menstrual cycle and the need for clinicians to have access to regularly updated data in this area.
"Even when someone realises their periods are negatively impacting their life or making them feel unwell, it can still be hard for them to secure a diagnosis. Empowering women with relevant information about their cycle, and giving clinicians access to continuously updated data, is vital to improve diagnosis and treatment. It would also facilitate a greater understanding of the impact that environmental changes, new illnesses or vaccines are having on menstrual health."
The need for more agile research goes beyond getting a diagnosis for a menstrual health condition. Giving women and those who menstruate personalised data and helping them understand what normal looks like, plays a role in finding them the right menstrual products to make their period more comfortable and arms them with the insights they need to understand their body better at different life stages, from trying for a baby to reaching menopause.
"Menstruation can impact people’s lives in a myriad of ways. Better data is key to making progress in this area and driving understanding for everyone who menstruates, whether they have problematic periods or not. For those who do suffer with problematic menstrual bleeding, the negative impact it can have on their life is huge, and without better research we cannot prevent these symptoms occurring or diagnose the cause and develop better treatments."
Written by: Joii Team