Monthly hell for 1 in 3 women

A THIRD of women suffer reproductive health problems, such as severe period pain, a Public Health England poll found.

And 35% said they experienced heavy menstrual bleeding linked to higher unemployment and absence from work.

The PHE survey, the first of its kind, involved 7,367 women aged 16 to 64, and will be the basis of a five-year action plan on helping women with reproductive health issues remain at work. Angela Kilcoyne, who took part in a PHE focus group, said: “I worked for years in banking and I never told my managers that I was off due to horrendous period pain.

“I would have to invent reasons, month after month, and soldier on.”

PHE consultant Dr Sue Mann said: “There is still stigma associated with talking about reproductive health issues.”