BC University researchers have created a new website and a social media campaign that expect young people to take the experience of period pain more seriously.
The website The period pain is real painwhich was created with the contribution of youth couples, includes resources on period pain, related conditions such as endometriosis and pain relief.
It also presents a free questionnaire that helps young people determine if they should speak with a medical care provider about their pain.
Common pain period: researcher
The UBC doctoral student and the Zeba Khan campaign developer, who studies the care of the period of the period in Canada, said that the period pain is a very common experience, one that affects more than 60 percent of women of reproductive age.
“Despite being so common, there is this narrative that the period pain is normal and” it is only part of being a woman, “Khan said.” And that narrative is harmful because it makes it difficult to talk about the period pain and obtain adequate support. “
Khan said that time pain can be more intense during adolescence.
“We want young people to know that their pain is valid. Therefore, we hope that this tool, the website, the campaign helps young people to recognize what the options are for them.”
He added that young people should speak with their medical care providers if their pain is so severe that they prevents them from participating in daily activities such as going to school or practicing sports.
Dr. Paul Yong, an associate professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UBC, said that the recurrent period pain not treated in adolescence could be a risk factor for chronic pain in the future.
“We really think that prevention is really key, in terms of chronic pain, so we have so much interest in adolescence time … not only to help lives at this time of adolescents, but also to prevent this pain from getting worse in the future.”
Accessible information supports patients
Endometriosis, a condition in which the tissue similar to the internal lining of the uterus grows out of the uterus, is One of the most common Underlying causes of period pain, according to Yong.
It affects approximately one in 10 females of reproductive age.
The lawyer of the endometriosis based in Vancouver, Lux Perry, CEO and founder of Submitay, a natural aid company of the period period, said that a website of resources such as period pain is real pain can help people decipher their experiences in a tangible way.
“Any resource … is so fundamental to someone’s ability to advocate for themselves and communicate with doctors.”
His experience as a young teenager with endometriosis was “extremely painful.”
“I couldn’t go to school; I couldn’t participate in sports. He completely interrupted my ability to make my normal life,” said Perry.
Cally Wesson, president and CEO of BC Women’s Health Foundation, which provided funds for the research project, praised the website.
She said that women’s pains of women can often be discarded by health professionals.
“Therefore, obtaining information about period pain is really important because it validates the symptoms that women are happening.”
