End Dismissal of Severe Period Pain in Young Women

Growing up in Hampshire, I've noticed that some of my friends and I have faced debilitating period pain. This isn't just a monthly inconvenience; it's a severe disruption that affects our education and daily lives. From missing college because we're unable to move due to intense pain, to being physically ill, our voices seem unheard by medical professionals. Instead of receiving thorough examinations or even empathy, we're often just directed to take birth control pills, leading to more issues. 

It feels like being reduced to statistics, with doctors preferring a one-size-fits-all approach rather than seeking the underlying causes of our suffering. This problem isn't isolated. According to the Office for National Statistics, more than half of young women in the UK report severe menstrual pain. Yet, comprehensive research or discussions about our health concerns are surprisingly absent. Despite these figures, the stigma surrounding menstrual health means young women like us in Hampshire aren't receiving the attention and care we need. It perpetuates the notion that our pain is normal and dismissible, which can lead to potential neglect of serious underlying conditions.

Healthcare systems should prioritise our voices and experiences. We demand that local medical practices in Hook invest in better training for recognising and understanding the complexity of period pain. We want dedicated health consultations, easier access to specialists, and refraining from defaulting us to hormonal treatments without proper investigation.

Our personal experiences:

I got my first period around 12 years old and started to struggle with painful periods around 14 years old, no medication would help. The only way I would barely begin to cope with the pain would be sleeping through the first few days of my period.

After struggling with my periods for around 2 years, Suppressing my concerns because I was told that “this is normal” and missing school 2-4 days of the month I decided to seek help with my periods as the pain had gotten so unbearable to the point of me struggling to walk and becoming physically ill. My appointment was over the phone to discuss the pain i was experiencing and i was told the progesterone only pill would possibly help, After taking the POP i noticed instead of lightening my period and stopping the pain i was in it prolonged and made my periods more frequent, happening every 10 days and lasting around 7-12 days, at one point i was on my period for 18 days straight. The POP not only worsened my periods but caused a decline in my mental health. I had another call with my doctor to discuss the issues this pill had caused me and instead of finding a solution or possibly looking into why I was in so much pain, I was told,  going on the combined pill might help. 

When i raised my concern with my doctor about me possibly having endometriosis as my mum and grandmother had  suffered with it leading to them both having a hysterectomy in their early 40s i was told, “The examinations for endometriosis would be an ultrasound, a vaginal exam and possibly a surgery, and we don’t want to do that”

I’ve been on the combined pill for around 3 weeks now, and although it has helped with stopping my periods I do still experience pain. I have also noticed the mental effects this pill has had on me. 

Many of my peers and I are exhausted from being dismissed and told what pills might help. Putting young women on pills that have life threatening effects instead of doing proper examinations feels dehumanising. Why are my concerns about my own body seen as unimportant? 

Support us by signing this petition to demand the attention and care every young woman deserves for her reproductive health. Only by acknowledging and tackling this can we hope for a future where young women aren't sidelined or suffering in silence. If you are comfortable with sharing your own personal experience please leave a comment below the petition, you can leave anonymous comments if you are uncomfortable with sharing your name.