Emma Cleary's life was forever changed by a simple yet often overlooked condition that affects a third of women. From her early teens, she suffered from persistent fatigue, dizziness, and a cruel nickname, 'Casper', from classmates who noticed her ghostly appearance. Despite repeated visits to her General Practitioner (GP), Emma's symptoms were dismissed, and she was eventually diagnosed with anemia at 16, a condition often linked to heavy menstrual bleeding. However, no one explained the connection to her periods, and iron supplements provided little relief.
As she grew older, the impact of her condition became more severe. At 35, Emma fainted in a supermarket, an embarrassing incident that highlighted the extent of her health issues. By her late 20s, working as a model, her hair began to fall out, a symptom that further emphasized the need for proper diagnosis and treatment. Despite spending thousands on a hair transplant, the problem persisted.
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, affecting one in 20 women, can trigger depression and anxiety before a period. Emma, now 42 and a mother of two, has finally found relief. She was prescribed tranexamic acid, which reduces menstrual bleeding, and receives annual iron infusions. This treatment has enabled her to start her own business and be a dedicated mother.
However, Emma's experience is not unique. Experts describe the mismanagement of heavy menstrual bleeding as a 'silent public health crisis'. According to Dr. Bassel Wattar, a significant number of women are admitted to hospitals annually due to this condition, which could often be managed more effectively in the community. The NHS guidelines and services lack a clear pathway for efficiently addressing acute heavy menstrual bleeding, leading to temporary fixes and long waiting lists.
Heavy periods, or menorrhagia, interfere with daily life, affecting at least one in three women. Symptoms include regularly bleeding through pads, tampons, or clothing, and needing to change sanitary products frequently. Iron deficiency, often caused by prolonged heavy bleeding, can lead to dizziness, shortness of breath, and brain fog, symptoms that are sometimes mistaken for ADHD or depression. Professor Toby Richards calls for national screening for iron deficiency, emphasizing its impact on women's health and well-being.
A study at the University of East London screened over 900 women, with one in three reporting heavy periods and 20% having anemia. Women with iron deficiency were more likely to experience depression. This highlights the importance of targeted screening to prevent ill health and address inequalities in women's healthcare.
