What is a period?

A period is part of a menstrual cycle. Each month the lining of the uterus (a female reproductive organ) sheds, releasing blood through the vagina.

Periods start at puberty and continue until a person becomes menopausal (the point where periods stop happening).¹

Why do periods happen?

Women and girls who have reached puberty have a menstrual cycle. This means that they release an egg from their ovaries roughly every 28 days.

But everyone is different, and people may find that their periods last anywhere between 23 and 35 days.

During this time, the levels of different hormones (chemical messengers) change in your body. This may affect the way you feel and the types of symptoms you experience.¹

What are the phases of a menstrual cycle?

Periods last around 7 days and your menstrual cycle can be divided into four distinct phases:

  Menses phase

 Follicular phase

 Ovulation

 Luteal phase.²

The menstrual cycle begins with the menses phase. During this time, the uterus sheds its lining. This can last anywhere between 2 and 7 days. If your periods last any longer, or if your periods are extremely heavy, contact your GP Doctor or Gynecologist for advice.

During the follicular phase levels of the hormones known as oestrogen and follicular-stimulating hormone (FSH) increase. Oestrogen helps to thicken the lining of your uterus. FSH makes your ovaries swell as they begin to develop fluid-filled sacs called follicles. Follicles contain mature eggs and are harmless.

This phase of the menstrual cycle lasts around 10 days.

Luteinising hormone triggers ovulation. The surge in this hormone causes a mature egg to be released from one of your ovaries. Your oestrogen levels are also at their highest around this time.

The luteal phase begins around day 15 of your cycle. At this stage, levels of another hormone called progesterone begin to rise. This hormone is responsible for helping to thicken your uterus lining even more.

The mature egg begins to move along the fallopian tube. If it is fertilised by sperm, it will continue to travel through the fallopian tube and into the uterus where it will lodge in the thickened lining.

f the egg is not fertilised by the end of the luteal phase, your oestrogen and progesterone levels will fall, and the lining of your uterus will begin to shed.²

What symptoms might I experience?

Some people might experience physical and emotional changes during their periods. But others may not.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) happens when you experience changes to your mood or body before your period begins.

Some of the most commonly experienced period symptoms include:

• Pelvic cramps
• Tender breasts
• Bloating
• Mood changes
• Acne
• Headaches and migraines
• Trouble sleeping
• Food cravings.

The changes that people experience may be mild or severe. If your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, talk to your pharmacist or GP Doctor. They will advise you on strategies to manage your symptoms.

Are periods painful?

Not for everyone. However, some people may experience painful cramping or migraines during their periods.

Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis can trigger severe cramping and pain. If you live with either of these conditions or want to find out more about them, contact your GP for further information.

What causes irregular periods?

There are many reasons why some women  experience irregular periods.

Normal changes to our bodies like puberty and menopause can trigger longer or shorter periods.

Periods stop during pregnancy. However, in the early stage of being pregnant, you may notice that you have irregular periods. If you aren’t sure whether you’re pregnant, you should take a pregnancy test to confirm.

Weight loss or gain, contraception, and medical conditions may also cause your periods to become irregular.^{5, 6}

PCOS, endometriosis, and thyroid disorders are some of the conditions that can affect your periods. Your GP Doctor or Gynecologist can help you find out if you have any of these conditions and advise you on the treatments that may work for you.

Menopause

What is menopause?

Menopause is a stage of life when menstrual cycles stop. At this point in life, women stop having periods and their hormones change. This can affect your life and the way you feel.

Menopause is a natural process, but it can cause a variety of symptoms. If you’re struggling with them, there are treatments and lifestyle changes that can help you.

Why does menopause happen?

Menopause is a natural life stage, caused by changing hormone levels. First your level of oestrogen drops. The lack of oestrogen makes follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the luteinizing hormone (LH) increase.

When these hormone changes start, you enter perimenopause. Your periods become irregular before they stop altogether. You may also experience other symptoms due to hormone changes, both physical and emotional.

Does menopause cause complications?

Menopause doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. Some people will have mild symptoms that ease quickly. Others will have more severe symptoms that last for months or even years.

Because oestrogen helps keep your bones strong, menopause can put you at a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. This is a condition where your bones become weaker and more prone to breaking.

A lack of oestrogen can also cause vaginal atrophy, which is when the tissues in your vagina become thinner and more prone to damage. This can cause problems like frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs), and painful sex.

When does menopause happen?

Most women experience menopause between the ages of 45 and 55, with the average age of menopause in the UK being 51.

What treatments are available to help manage the symptoms of menopause?

Menopause cannot be reversed. Your hormone levels will never naturally return to the same levels as before menopause. But many of the symptoms caused by menopause can be managed.

Symptoms of menopause are usually treated with HRT. There are different types of HRT. If you have a uterus, you’ll need to take a type of HRT with progesterone as well as oestrogen in it. There are also lots of options for how you can use HRT, like patches, pills, sprays, gels and implants.

Can menopause symptoms be managed without medication?

If you’re struggling with low mood because of menopause, you may want to talk to a counsellor. These are professionals who are trained to listen. You may also want to reach out to friends or relatives who have experienced the same thing.

Eating well and exercising can help ease your symptoms and protect you against complications of menopause like osteoporosis. Wearing loose-fitting clothing and taking cool showers can help manage hot flushes.

Vaginal moisturisers and lubricants are available at pharmacies. They can help you with the discomfort that can come with vaginal dryness and make it easier to have sex.

Contraception

Methods of contraception

The wide range of contraceptives available can make choosing the best option for you feel daunting. Contraceptives can be split into two categories: user dependent contraceptives and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC).

Contraception

Methods of contraception

What are the differences between methods of contraception?

Contraceptives can be split into two categories: user dependent contraceptives and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC). User dependent contraceptive methods will only work if you use them correctly, whereas LARC methods don’t rely on you remembering to use them regularly.

Each method has advantages and disadvantages and what works well for one person won’t always work well for someone else. You might have to try a range of different methods of contraception before you find one that works well for you.

User dependent contraceptives

User dependent contraceptive methods will only work if you use them correctly. They include oral contraceptive tablets and condoms.

Oral contraceptive tablets

Oral contraceptive tablets are split into two categories: combined pills, which contain the hormones oestrogen and progestogen, and progestogen only pills (POPs). Oral contraceptives prevent pregnancy, but you’ll need to use another method of contraception, such as condoms, to be protected against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Progestogen only pill (POP)

• the pill commonly known as the ‘mini pill’.
• the desogestrel POP, which can also stop ovulation (an egg being released from the ovary), whilst you’re taking it.

The POP needs to be taken at the same time each day for it to work well. If you’re taking the mini pill, you need to make sure there’s no longer than 27 hours between two doses of the pill to be protected against pregnancy.

There are days of the week and arrows printed on the pill packet, to help you. Some people also set reminder alarms, so they don’t miss a pill.

Some reported benefits of the POP include:

• it doesn’t contain oestrogen, so is suitable for people who can’t take this hormone
• women who are breastfeeding can take it
• it’s suitable for people who smoke.
• it’s suitable for women at risk of health issues such as strokes.

Some reported side effects of POPs include:

• irregular menstrual bleeding (periods)
• changes in sex drive (libido)
• mood changes
• acne (spots and changes to the skin).

There’s also a risk of some women developing functional ovarian cysts (small fluid-filled sacs on the ovaries). These are usually harmless and go away without treatment.

Talk to your local Well pharmacist, your doctor or Gynecologist if you have any questions about the possible side effects of the POP.

User dependent contraceptives

User dependent contraceptive methods will only work if you use them correctly. Make sure you read the instructions that come with your chosen contraception carefully and speak to your local MedHope pharmacist or GP Doctor or Gynecologist if you’re unsure.

Some common examples of user dependent contraceptives include:

• Oral contraceptive tablets
• Condoms.

Period delay service

With our period delay service, you can delay your period to avoid it coinciding with a special event or occasion.

It works by taking a period delay tablet 3 days before your expected period, to delay your period for up to 17 days. This is a safe and effective tablet which is available for collection in pharmacy only.

How does the period delay service work?

If you’re interested in our period delay service, please speak to your our Pharmacist at MedHope. We will arrange  a pharmacist. At your visit at our Pharmacy , you’ll complete a short consultation to ensure the period delay tablet is suitable for you.

Once you’ve completed the consultation, the pharmacy will dispense the medication.

Who is the period delay service suitable for?

Our period delay service is suitable for adult females aged between 16 and 50 years who are not already taking the contraceptive pill.

The short consultation with the pharmacist will ensure that the medication is suitable and safe for patients to use.

How does the period delay tablet work?

Period delay tablets work by mimicking natural progesterone levels to keep them raised. This stops the womb lining from shedding and delays your period.

If you want to delay your period, you should start taking the medication 3 days before your period is due. You need to take the tablet 3 times a day for up to 17 days. Your period will start 2 or 3 days after you stop taking the tablet.

Important information

Period delay medication is not a contraceptive and should not be used to prevent pregnancy.

This medication can interact with a number of other medicines, so it’s important you tell your pharmacist about your health and medications during your consultation.

This medicine should not be used if you have a history of blood clots.

Side effects may include:

• Breast tenderness
• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Headaches
• Mood disturbances