Most of us know Bindi Irwin as a bubbly and eloquent Australian television personality who is passionate about wildlife conservation. Behind the scenes, however,for a decade due to endometriosis, a chronic condition related to menstruation.
conducted by Doctors Anywhere and Bayer, with eight in 10 being affected by such conditions. The survey is part of Bayer’s Conversations of Care initiative that seeks to drive awareness and conversations around women’s health. On average, a woman loses up to 40ml of blood during her period, though blood loss varies with each individual, shared Assoc Prof Mathur. Bleeding for up to seven days in a menstrual cycle lasting between 21 and 35 days, and changing three to four sanitary pads a day is considered “normal”, she added.
A common misconception about menstrual bleeding is that it is a “cleansing process for the body”. Said Assoc Prof Mathur: “The fact is heavy menses could be caused by an underlying condition such as fibroids or polyps, or a hormonal imbalance, and should therefore be treated.” According to Assoc Prof Mathur, if left untreated, heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to anaemia that may affect day-to-day life and require blood transfusions. Symptoms of anaemia include shortness of breath, fatigue and reduced endurance during physical activity. Sexual and mental health could also be impacted by heavy menstrual bleeding in the long run.Armed with a deeper understanding of their menstrual patterns, women can take proactive action vis-a-vis their menstrual wellness.