Women deserve better. Our "Just a Period" report, based on three surveys of more than 7,500 women and countless other real-life stories, reveals the shocking extent to which women and girls are putting up with period pain, heavy bleeding and other symptoms without access to trusted information or treatment.

These untreated period symptoms are having a negative impact on women and girls’ ability to participate fully in society – education, work, sports and social activities are all affected.

Our report shatters the myth that it’s ‘just an unlucky few’ who experience debilitating periods, explores the role of societal shame and stigma in silencing women and normalising symptoms, and reveals the barriers faced when accessing healthcare, particularly for those from marginalised communities.

We present the key challenges and solutions needed to support women and girls throughout their lives, from before their first period right through to their last.

We must call time on heavy, painful periods and ensure no one is told their symptoms are “just a period”, for the benefit of millions more women now and in the future. Together we can ensure women and girls are no longer held back by their periods.

Our recommendations

Improve education and reduce stigma at school, work and at home.

• Better menstrual health education in schools, with interactive workshops and peer support groups that are age appropriate, informative and inclusive of both girls and boys.
• Workplaces should adopt women’s health policies which support menstrual health.
• A public health campaign on menstrual health and period problems for teens and young women, with a focus on reaching and supporting women from deprived and marginalised communities. Healthcare professionals should take women’s menstrual health concerns seriously.

Fund more research into prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

• More funding for menstrual health research to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of period problems and other gynaecological conditions.

Tackle barriers to accessing care.

• Girls and women should be asked about their periods at their routine check-ups, and primary care professionals should be given more information and capacity to help support women’s menstrual health.

Take action now

Alongside this report, we have several ways you can take action to make sure women and girls get the support they need, from their first period to their last.