PERIODS & PREGNANCEY

6 My period is due during my holiday — can I stop it?

YES, says leading obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Vanessa Mackay.

If you are already on the combined oral contraceptive pill (which contains oestrogen and progesterone), you can delay your period by running two packs together instead of taking the usual week break.

This won’t have any ill-effect, says Dr Heather Currie, in fact, it’s fine to run packets of the pill together whenever you want.

‘There’s no need to have the week’s break — there’s no benefit to it, and by running your weeks on you won’t have the hormone fluctuations,’ she explains.

‘Women weren’t designed to have so many periods — in years gone by they were either pregnant or breastfeeding.’

If you’re not on the pill, your GP can prescribe norethisterone, which you take three to four days before your period is due — your period will start once you stop taking it. (Don’t worry if you don’t know the exact day your period is due — you can take it any time up to it starting.) You can take it for up to 20 days in a row.

Norethisterone contains progesterone, which prevents the womb lining shedding, so preventing a period from starting. You will generally have a period one or two days after you stop taking it. It can temporarily disrupt your cycle.

7 I’ve been trying for a baby. Why can’t I get pregnant?

THE most common reason is that you’re not making love at the right time of the month, says gynaecologist Dr Mackay.

‘Most people, when we investigate, have nothing wrong with them.

‘Many women aren’t 100% sure on where they are in their cycle and/or aren’t having regular intercourse. That’s why sticks that you wee on to tell you when you’re ovulating can be really helpful. But we tell couples to have regular unprotected sex throughout the cycle.’ The waiting time for medical investigations varies but can range between six and 12 months. If you want to progress to IVF, this must be privately funded as the HSE currently does not offer any financial support for IVF although this is set to change in 2019 .

8 What can I do about severe period pain?

A PERIOD is where the womb lining is shed by the uterus contracting, says gynaecologist Dr Mackay. The pain is caused by chemicals called prostaglandins which trigger the contractions. Before any medical investigations, different treatments will first be trialled.

As well as painkillers, Dr Mackay says ‘exercise, or even going for walk, can help ease menstrual cramps — even if it’s the last thing you feel like doing’. He adds: ‘Moving around relaxes the muscles of the uterus, meaning they’re less likely

to cramp — exercise also releases feel-good endorphins.’

Another good option for pain is mefenamic acid, also known as Ponsttan Forte — which your GP can prescribe, says Dr Dawn Harper. ‘You start taking it on the first day of your period for a few days.’ It acts on the prostaglandins and can reduce period cramps and reduce blood loss by around 30%.

Heavy — and therefore often painful — periods can also be treated with tranexamic acid prescribed by your do octor, says consultant gynaecologist Tania Adib

‘This helps to stop bloood clots from breaking down — it reduces bleed ing so periods aren’t as heavy, but it’s a short-teerm measure as it does raise the risk of DVT.’

A long-term solution fo on the contraceptive pil can ease period pain bec lining and reduces the amount of pain-

triggering chemicals called prostaglandins that your body releases.’

A thinner womb lining means the muscles of the womb don’t have to contract as much when it sheds as part of your monthly menstrual cycle. Your period — or ‘withdrawal bleed’ — between packs will also be lighter.

Alternatively, the progesterone-only pill or Depo-Provera — which is an injection of progesterone — can reduce bleeding by thinning the lining of the womb, says Ms Adib. This way, bleeding is not heavy.

‘Another good option is to have a Mirena coil inserted into your womb,’ she adds.

‘It doesn’t suit everyone — and symptoms may get worse initially — but many women do very well on it.’

The coil contains progesterone, which helps by thinning the womb lining. It is suitable for women of all ages, even young women who have not had a family. They can be administered by some GPs, at family planning or sexual health clinics.

If your period is suddenly more painful, see your doctor, as it could be a sign of a more severe gynaecological condition, advises Ms Adib.