Women's Health Week is brought to you by Jean Hailes for Women's Health.
Jean Hailes represents all women, girls and gender-diverse people.
Tuesday
Tricky periods
What’s normal and what’s not.
What today is all about...
We turn our attention to tricky periods, a women’s health topic that we need to hear more about.
In today's article, Jean Hailes gynaecologist Dr Amanda Ward busts the period myths about what is and isn't 'normal' for women of all ages. On the Jean Hailes podcast today for our Women’s Health Week series, we talk to 2021 Young Australian of the Year Isobel Marshall about her mission to eliminate period poverty. And don't miss our whole host of resources on endometriosis, menopause, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and heavy menstrual bleeding, plus a recipe to satisfy your monthly chocolate craving the healthy way.
Article: What's 'normal' and what's not
Periods are a normal part of life for women and girls, but one person’s ‘normal’ can look very different to another’s.
For girls just starting to menstruate, to women at the other end of their reproductive years, everyone's experience of their period is different and changes will happen to everyone at some time.
That’s why today we’re having a look at what’s normal when it comes to your period, and what you can do if you think your 'normal' is not quite right.
Podcast: 'Period poverty'
In today's Jean Hailes podcast for our Women’s Health Week series, we talk to 2021 Young Australian of Year Isobel Marshall (pictured) about period poverty and how she is helping to break down menstrual stigma.
Listening time: 14 mins
Menstrual cycle 101
Our bodies do some amazing things. Watch and learn from this dynamic animation as it moves through the different stages of the menstrual cycle.
Want to test your knowledge?
It’s time for a quiz! Head to our Instagram stories at 1pm AEST today (Tuesday 7 September) to find out how much you know about periods.
Know the facts
Health topic: periods
Read more about periods on the Jean Hailes website.
Fact sheet: perimenopause
Learn about the common symptoms of perimenopause.
Fact sheet: heavy periods
How do you know if your period is too heavy?
Heavy periods video
Available to watch in six languages.
Heavy periods, also known as heavy menstrual bleeding, affect around one in five women of child-bearing age.
Our animated video about heavy menstrual bleeding is now available in six languages – English, Arabic, Dari, Hindi, Mandarin and Vietnamese.
With thanks to Hologic for funding this project, and Ethnolink for translation.
Join an event
There's still time to join one of the 2000 online or in-person events happening across the country.
'Endo' in the spotlight
Here’s what you need to know about the often painful condition called endometriosis (or 'endo' as it's commonly known), which affects more than 700,000 women and girls in Australia.
Booklet: ‘Understanding endometriosis’
An ideal introduction for girls and women who have been newly diagnosed with 'endo'.
Fact sheets: ‘Endometriosis’
Available in the languages of English, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Dari, Farsi, Hindi, Sinhala, Tamil and Vietnamese.
Videos: women share their stories
Women with endometriosis share their experiences of the condition; from diagnosis, symptoms and treatment to the impact on personal lives.
Chocolate slice
There are many theories why women crave chocolate around the time of their period, but however you slice or dice it, this recipe makes for good-mood food.
Jean Hailes naturopath Sandra Villella's well-loved chocolate slice can satisfy a chocolate craving while giving you a good dose of nutrients that may support mood – in particular, magnesium and vitamin B6.
PMS, PMDD & you
Premenstrual symptoms don’t have to be a part of life. There are treatments that can help.
For many women, the week before their period can be difficult. For some, it can be debilitating. But the good news is that premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and its close relative, premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), can be treated.
More resources and health topics to explore
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Health topic: menopause
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Booklet: 'Understanding premature & early menopause'
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Health topic: endometriosis
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Health topic: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
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Booklet: 'Understanding PCOS'
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Podcast: 'Heavy bleeding: what women need to know'
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Article: 'Heavy menstrual bleeding'
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Booklet for young girls: 'My period - what's normal?'
A health boost for your inbox
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Australian Government Endometriosis Progress Report 2021 Update
A special thank you
Thank you to today's guests for providing their time and expertise.
- Dr Elizabeth Farrell AM
- Dr Amanda Ward
- Isobel Marshall - TABOO