Sign the petition
Call on the government to make sure women and girls are supported, from their first period to last.
"Just a Period"
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Millions of women, girls and people who menstruate suffer with period pain and heavy bleeding that disrupts their lives.
Instead of getting the treatment and support they desperately need, they’re often dismissed and told it’s “Just a period”.
Ignoring heavy bleeding and pain seriously impacts women and girls’ wellbeing. Without timely support, women’s careers, education and relationships can all suffer, alongside their health and mental health. In some cases, untreated conditions such as endometriosis can lead to worse outcomes later on.
In our recent survey, women affected by heavy and painful periods shared that it took an average of 22 months from symptoms starting to seeking help. Even when they do seek help, it can be hard to have symptoms taken seriously. Nearly two-thirds of women with period symptoms said they had sought help from a healthcare professional, but the majority weren’t given treatment, a diagnosis, or follow ups. A story all too familiar to many.
Stigma, shame and silence means women aren’t getting the help they need.
Taboos and stigma around talking about periods means severe period symptoms are normalised, with many unaware they can seek help. But treatments are available. We can all change this by talking about periods and making sure everyone understands when it’s time to get help.
The government must also take action, by prioritising menstrual health.
Join us to call time on heavy and painful periods.
Together we can make sure women and girls are no longer left to suffer.
Period Symptom Checker
Use and share our free Period Symptom Checker to make sure no woman or girl is left wondering if it's 'just a period'.
Get the facts on period issues
More than 7,500 women shared their views on heavy and painful periods. Our report shares the impacts and our recommendations to change lives.
What we want to see
All women and girls should be educated and empowered about periods so they can be in control of their menstrual health – from their first period to their last.
82% of the women and girls we surveyed agreed that there needs to be more accurate and accessible information available on periods.
We would like to see:
- Better menstrual health education in schools, with interactive workshops and peer support groups that are age appropriate, informative and include all pupils.
- 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.
- Girls and women routinely asked about their periods when seen by health care professionals at existing touchpoints, such as vaccinations, contraceptive advice and general health checks.
- More funding for menstrual health research to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of period problems and other gynaecological conditions.
We want to ensure that menstrual health never prevents girls and women from reaching their potential and enjoying their lives.
Women's voices
Watch videos and read about women's experiences of severe period pain, heavy bleeding, and irregular cycles. Find out how they were diagnosed with endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids or PCOS.
Zaynah’s story: “Instead of revising for my GCSE’s, I was suffering with heavy bleeding and severe period pain”
Nia's story: “It was frustrating knowing that I could not train because of my period”
Laura’s story: “I repeatedly asked my employer to change their absence policy”
Periods information hub
Learn about your period and whether your symptoms could be signs of a gynaecological condition. Learn about treatment options, self-care tips, and how to get help.
Watch our webinars with medical experts, and sign up for updates.
Our research
Our menstrual health research has led to breakthroughs such as finding a new way to treat endometriosis with “keyhole” surgery, providing evidence of how existing drugs such as ibuprofen and mefenamic acid can be used to treat periods and helping women to manage PCOS through diet and lifestyle.
Donate
You can help to stamp out period taboo, shame and symptom dismissal by donating today.
Your donation could help to fund:
- campaigns for better menstrual health education, research and healthcare
- accurate information and support to equip women with the knowledge and tools to seek help and tackle dismissal.
- faster diagnosis and treatment for conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis, PCOS and fibroids.
Together let’s ensure period dignity for all.
"Just a period" campaign ambassadors
We have a fantastic team of celebrities, MPs, advisors, gynaecologists and researchers supporting our campaign. See why they're passionate about periods.
Our "Just a period" campaign supporters
Thank you to all of our kind supporters.
Nurofen are proud to support Wellbeing of Women in their mission of closing the gender pain gap through advocacy, education and research.
Evana is proud to sponsor Wellbeing of Women’s Just a Period campaign, championing menstrual health and driving change for those affected by debilitating periods.
Bayer PLC, Gedeon Richter and Theramex have contributed funding towards this campaign. They have not been involved in its development in any form.