Heavy periods force female workers to take more than 5 million sick days a year – costing the British economy a staggering £531 million, research suggests.
The shocking results give light to the full impact of the condition (menorrhagia), which affects one in five women, many of whom ‘suffer in silence’.
Indeed, 73 per cent of women admit lying about why they take time off, with almost half preferring to tell their boss they have diarrhoea.
More than 4 million women in Britain suffer from heavy periods, resulting in a total of 5,581,186 sick days every year, the research showed.
It follows the case of a graduate in March who was too embarrassed to discuss her heavy periods with a doctor and inadvertently ignored the signs of cancer.
Lydia Brain, now 24, became only the 11th person in the world to be diagnosed with inflammatory myofibroblastoma. She put up with her symptoms for three years.
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The survey, commissioned by website WearWhiteAgain.co.uk as it launches a new campaign to raise awareness, reveals the taboo surrounding periods.
Welcomed by experts
Experts have welcomed the findings. Tina Weaver, chief executive of the Wellbeing of Women charity, said: ‘Too many women suffer in silence with what are regarded as taboo issues.
‘I am pleased to back a campaign highlighting a condition which affects one in five women, but is so rarely discussed.’
It is hoped the findings will encourage women to seek help from their GP if they endure heavy periods – which can be a sign of womb cancer.
TV doctor Dawn Harper said: ‘Heavy periods do seem to be under-reported – women don’t realise it’s a medical condition and often don’t feel comfortable talking about it.
‘While there are a number of potential causes of heavy periods, with an informed conversation, GPs can help diagnose and where relevant, talk through treatment options.’
What else did the survey show?
Some 62 per cent don’t realise it is a common medical condition, which can be treated, the survey of 1,002 women showed.
Almost half of those who haven’t consulted their GP believe it to be ‘just part of being a woman’.
Too many women suffer in silence with what are regarded as taboo issues
Tina Weaver, chief executive of the Wellbeing of Women charity
It also has a mental impact, with three quarters of women surveyed experiencing anxiety and 69 per cent depression.
The research also demonstrated how the condition affects quality of life.
Some 45 per cent feel their relationship with their partner is affected by their periods and two thirds have missed out on romantic experiences.
A third of women have stopped playing a sport or a hobby for the duration of their period and 43 per cent have missed out on social events like meals with friends.
Heavy periods: The dangers
The medical term for heavy periods is ‘menorrhagia’. It can sometimes happen along with other symptoms too, such as period pain.
Conditions that can cause heavy bleeding include polycystic ovary syndrome, pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids and cancer of the womb.
A good indication that blood loss is excessive is if a woman is using an unusually high number of tampons or pads, the NHS states.
WOMAN, 24, TOO EMBARRASSED TO TACKLE HER HEAVY PERIODS
A young graduate too embarrassed to tackle the problem of her heavy periods was inadvertently ignoring the signs of a rare type of cancer.
Lydia Brain, now 24, is only the 11th person in the world to be diagnosed with inflammatory myofibroblastoma.
Lydia put up with the disruptive symptoms for three years, before eventually visiting the doctor.
One period was so bad, blood dripped down her leg for 40 minutes, while she waited in an airport queue.
Now she’s been put in an induced menopause and may need a hysterectomy, ruining her hopes of having children.
Lydia Brain ignored her heavy periods for three years and is now urging other women to seek help sooner