Periods
Including painful periods, heavy periods, PMS, endometriosis and adenomyosis
Resources and information about periods and gynaecological conditions
Our own periods information hub contains many helpful articles that we have produced and have been reviewed by medical experts - these are published on our website. The page below also contains links to resources produced by other organisations, and Wellbeing of Women cannot confirm the accuracy of any content published outside our own website.
- General period information
- Periods policy and advocacy
- For healthcare professionals - Note that if you are experiencing period symptoms, the resources in this section may provide additional detail, but most are written for someone with medical training.
- For teachers
- For employers
- Period poverty
General period information
Periods
Includes a video about "what is normal"
Women's Health
Articles on symptoms, conditions and treatments with a section on periods and period problems.
The Patient website is owned by a private company.
Periods
Educational article written for young people
Periods survival guide
Educational article written for young people experiencing difficult periods
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): patient leaflet
A patient information leaflet on PCOS, that aims to help you better understand your health and your options for treatment and care.
Endometriosis patient information leaflet
A patient information leaflet on endometriosis, that aims to help you better understand your health and your options for treatment and care.
What is severe period pain?
Some mild discomfort and cramping during your period is common. But if your periods are painful, and affect your everyday life, you don’t have to put up with it. There are treatments that can help.
Heavy periods
Heavy bleeding during your period can feel scary, upsetting and embarrassing. Although it’s quite common, it’s not something you have to accept as “just a period”.
Endometriosis
Information on endometriosis; including symptoms, treatments that are available and further support.
Adenomyosis
Includes the symptoms of adenomyosis, information on how it is diagnosed, treatments that are available and further support.
Fibroids
Information on the symptoms, advice on when you should talk to your GP about your periods, the treatment options that are available for fibroids.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Information on the symptoms, when you should talk to your GP about your periods, the treatment options that are available for PCOS.
Includes information and support on PCOS, as well as advice on when to consult a GP and the treatment options that are available.
How to prepare for your healthcare appointment about your periods
Got an appointment with your GP for period pains, heavy bleeding, or irregular periods? Follow these key steps to help you prepare and feel more confident.
What to do if you're feeling dismissed by your healthcare professional
If you feel like you didn’t get the help you need from your doctor or a gynaecologist, what can you do?
Your rights at work when you have painful or heavy periods
If you have bad periods, or a gynaecological condition affecting your work, find out about employees’ rights at work.
Healthy Optimal Periods for Everyone
A periods information hub that includes resources
A periods information
Periods policy and advocacy
More policy and advocacy linksWomen's Health Strategy 2022
Based on almost 100,000 responses from women across the country, and over 400 written submissions from organisations and experts in health and care.
WHO statement on menstrual health and rights
Advocating for menstrual health to be framed as a health and human rights issue, not a hygiene issue.
All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Endometriosis
Based on almost 100,000 responses from women across the country, and over 400 written submissions from organisations and experts in health and care.
The Menstrual Health Coalition
A coalition of patient and advocate groups, life sciences industry, leading clinicians and individuals who have come together to discuss and make recommendations around menstrual health. The CEO of Wellbeing of Women, Janet Lindsay, is on the committee.
Menstrual Hygiene Day
A global advocacy platform that brings together non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene (MHH).
Menstruation Research Network
Brings together experts from the sciences and humanities, NGOs, the arts, activists and campaigners, industry and the NHS in order to unify knowledge about medical, political, economic, psychological and cultural issues related to menstruation.
Locked Out campaign
Plan UK's 2018 Menstrual Manifesto and report about girls' experiences of periods in UK schools, including access to toilets.
Empower Period UK
A growing collective of young advocates who are campaigning for national change on period poverty & shame in the UK.
#PeriodPositive
Period Positive uses humour, joy, and evidence-based learning activities to empower everyone to look at periods in a new way, find their voice, and work together to reverse the effects of negative attitudes.
Free Periods
Scrutinising and evaluating the Government period products scheme in England, striving to ensure that it is fully funded and works for everyone. Campaigning to ensure that all eligible schools opt into the scheme.
Better for women report
A report identifies simple and cost-effective solutions to prevent girls and women falling through the cracks of our health systems
Left for too long
Understanding the scale and impact of gynaecology waiting lists
Women's reproductive health
A short inquiry to look at women’s reproductive health and the challenges that women face when they are being diagnosed and treated for these conditions. The inquiry will consider any disparities that exist in the diagnosis and treatment, and the impact of women’s experiences on their health and lives
Information primarily for healthcare professionals
Menstrual Wellbeing Toolkit
An ‘easy to use’, logical, evidence based resource for GPs and other primary care clinicians.
Includes a section for patients.
Tips for GPs when caring for women with period pain
Developed with women with lived experience of endometriosis as an output from the research study, "Navigating possible endometriosis in primary care: a qualitative study of GP perspectives".
Heavy menstrual bleeding: assessment and management
Your doctor should follow these guidelines so this can help you to know what to expect from your appointment.
Endometriosis factsheet
This factsheet provides nurses with guidance on how to recognise symptoms, sets out pathways of care and signposts to useful online resources.
RCGP e-learning course on endometriosis
This half-hour course aims to promote awareness of the symptoms of endometriosis. FREE to RCGP members and other healthcare professionals in the UK.
Women's Health Library
National guidance for healthcare professionals, resources from the Royal College of GPs, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH)
Primary Care Women's Health Forum
Counselling aid: Management options for heavy menstrual bleeding
Period resources for teachers
Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education
Statutory guidance for governing bodies, proprietors, head teachers, principals, senior leadership teams, teachers. Includes menstrual health.
Teacher training: changing adolescent body
Powerpoint slide deck, to assist teachers to deliver the statutory guidance. 5 slides on menstruation including symptoms, products, when to seek help
PSHE Association
Training for teachers, lesson plans.
Brook education
Info and advice for youth online, workshops delivered in schools, handouts, teacher training, resources, e-learning.
Menstrual health education workshops
Freedom4Girls deliver a holistic and empowerment focused education programme for young people.
HeyGirls: learn
Teacher training sessions, articles, ‘My Period’ cards, lesson plans, animations
Period education resources for teachers
Together with experts in menstrual and sexual health, this menstrual cup company have developed a free curriculum-related period education resource for primary and secondary school teachers in the UK.
Period Dramas video and lesson plan
Free educational video and a lesson plan to buy.
Periods: what you need to know
Leaflet that schools can buy for girls aged 9 and above to prepare them for menstruation.
Period education for refugees and asylum seekers
Menstrual, sexual and reproductive health sessions led by medical professionals for refugees and asylum seekers.
Period poverty
Period products scheme
Information on the Department for Education scheme to provide free period products to schools and colleges in England.
Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021
Equality Impact Assessment of the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021
Bloody Good Period
They give period products to those who can’t afford them and provide reproductive health education to those less likely to access it.
Freedom4Girls
A charity fighting against period poverty. They work to support those who menstruate by challenging the stigmas, taboos and gender inequalities associated with menstruation.
Hey Girls
Period product social enterprise whose mission is to eradicate period poverty in the UK.
Looking for support?
Support groups and helplines for you