Let’s talk about your period

Here’s Maestro explaining everything you need to know about the menstrual cycle! If you want to know about heavy menstrual bleeding, click to watch the next film.

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Once upon a time – Maestro explains menstruation

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The menstrual cycle

Menstruation, or a period, is the shedding of the lining of the womb through the vagina as part of the menstrual cycle, which usually happens every month from puberty to menopause.

Over time, periods tend to stabilize in length, frequency and amount of blood lost.

The average blood loss is around 30-40ml per cycle, in other words, up to 8 regular tampons per period!

Watch the film with Maestro from “Once upon a time” to learn more.

Once upon a time…. the menstrual cycle ! Maestro and his friends are here to explain why you have periods, how they happen and how periods are connected to the reproductive system.

As Maestro explains, sometimes periods can become very heavy and impact your everyday life, from not being able to get up in the morning or the constant fear of leaking. If this is happening to you, follow Maestro’s advice and speak with your doctor. As he says, “there’s no such thing as silly questions when it comes to your health”!

How heavy is my period?

As periods vary for each woman, it can be difficult for you to know if your period is so heavy that it should be treated or not.

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If you have heavy periods, you are not alone, one in three women experience heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) in their lives. Watch Dr Agnaldo Lopes Xin Yang speak about how HMB can significantly impact your quality of life and the ways a doctor can help you to manage your periods effectively.

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What is heavy menstrual bleeding?

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) is not just a heavy period, it’s a medical condition defined by prolonged periods that have a negative impact on a woman's physical, social and emotional quality of life.

One in three women experience HMB at some point in their lives. However, there are multiple treatments available, so you don’t need to put up with it.

Watch the video to learn more about HMB from Agnaldo Lopes Da Silva Filho, Brazil.

Periods differ for all women, which can make it difficult to know what a ‘normal’ period is.

If your period is difficult to manage and impacts your day-to-day life, perhaps due to prolonged and heavy flow, you may be experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding. It is important to talk about your periods with your doctor, so they can analyze the situation and advise you on the most appropriate treatment.

If you are worried about your periods, or your menstruation is interrupting your daily routine, speak to your doctor for advice.

What causes HMB?

Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) can be due to a number of causes. Most of the time HMB is simply due to a hormonal imbalance, but in some cases there might be a disease of the uterus causing heavy bleeding.

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Animations of the causes of heavy menstrual bleeding

See all causes with animations

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Treatment Options

You don’t have to put up with heavy periods as just part of "being a woman". Find out about your treatment options.

Menstruation life hacks

Apart from treating your heavy periods, there are a few things you can do to better cope with it from day to day. Take a look at our handy period hacks.