Our ‘Just a Period’ Big Give Christmas Challenge is live - donate now to end the shame and silence surrounding period symptoms
From Tuesday 28 to the 5 December, supporters can donate through our Big Give Christmas Challenge page and have their contributions doubled through matched funding.
One donation. Twice the impact.
Donations will help fund the “Just a Period” campaign, which provides accurate information and support to equip women with the knowledge and tools to seek help and tackle dismissal when experiencing debilitating period symptoms.
As previously reported by Wellbeing of Women, too many women are living with period symptoms like severe pain and heavy bleeding. Despite the devastating impact of these symptoms, more than half (56%) have found it difficult to access treatment and support. Over half (51%) felt their healthcare professional had failed to take their period concerns seriously.
Something that people living with conditions such as endometriosis, like Emma, know all too well.
“Vomiting from pain, or even blacking out, had become a normal part of my period. I had lived like this for eight years, since the age of nineteen. During those years I begged and pleaded with GPs to give me more than painkillers. I knew something wasn’t right, but my pain was dismissed as “just a bad period”. I eventually found a female GP who took my pain seriously.”
Even for women who seek help, waiting times for gynaecology referrals are at an all-time high following the COVID-19 pandemic. It takes an average of eight years to receive a diagnosis of endometriosis in the UK. This is unacceptable and needs to change.
The ‘Just a Period’ campaign aims to tackle dismissal of period-related symptoms and provide information so that women and girls feel empowered when visiting healthcare professionals.
This is vital for women like Esther, who has PCOS. “I keep meaning to go back to my doctor, but I’m worried about being dismissed all over again."
Donate to our Big Give Christmas Challenge today.
Laura spent years suffering from heavy and painful periods, which affected her life. Then she was forced to leave a job she loved because of her menstrual health. Now, Laura is speaking out, because she believes workplaces should be more open and respectful of women’s health.
Nia experienced painful cramping and nausea when her period came which stopped her from participating in the sports she loved. Looking back, Nia now knows that there is support and information available.
From the moment Zaynah started her period, she experienced severe pain and heavy bleeding that impacted her education. It took over five years for her to get her diagnosis of endometriosis and adenomyosis. Now, Zaynah is raising awareness of the different gynaecological conditions by supporting her friends on their period journey.