Consult Super-Specialist Doctors at CARE Hospitals
25 August 2025
New Delhi: For countless women, the arrival of their period is accompanied by pain, discomfort, and disruption to daily life. Yet, in clinics across India, we often see a troubling pattern—women normalising symptoms that are anything but normal. Pain so intense that it interferes with work, bleeding so heavy it leads to anemia, or cycles that swing unpredictably from one month to another are brushed aside as “part of being a woman.” This silence has become an epidemic in itself, one that prevents timely diagnosis and treatment of underlying conditions.
Dr. Manjula Anagani, Padma Shri Awardee, Clinical Director, HOD CARE Vatsalya, Women and Child Institute, Robotic Gynecology, CARE Hospitals, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, explained the difference between healthy and unhealthy periods and when one needs to take action.
Many women accept period pain as something they just have to live with. Some amount of cramping is natural, but pain that keeps coming back with such intensity that it needs tablets for relief, or makes someone skip school or work, is not normal. Often, this kind of pain points to problems like endometriosis, adenomyosis, or even pelvic infections. Endometriosis is especially common—roughly one in ten women may have it—but it still slips under the radar. One reason is that women are conditioned to tolerate the pain and carry on, instead of questioning it or seeking medical help.
Doctors ncourage women to see pain as the body’s way of signalling distress. If your monthly cycle leaves you bedridden or unable to function, it is not something to “tolerate”—it is a call for medical evaluation.
Heavy Bleeding: More Than an Inconvenience
Another problem that often gets brushed aside is heavy menstrual bleeding, also called menorrhagia. If a woman needs to change pads every hour or two, notices big clots, or continues to bleed for more than a week, it should raise concern. Such bleeding isn’t just uncomfortable — over time it can drain the body’s iron stores and lead to anaemia. Women may then feel unusually tired, lightheaded, or even short of breath.
The causes of excessive bleeding are varied—ranging from uterine fibroids and polyps to hormonal imbalances and thyroid disorders. In perimenopausal women, it may also signal precancerous or cancerous changes in the uterus. A simple evaluation—ultrasound, blood tests, and sometimes a biopsy—can make the difference between catching a condition early or allowing it to progress unnoticed.
Irregular Cycles: The Overlooked Red Flag
Many women overlook irregular periods as a warning sign. A small change once in a while is harmless, but if cycles are frequently off track, it may point to problems such as PCOS, thyroid disorders, or early ovarian failure. PCOS, especially, is being seen more often in young women today and can bring along issues like acne, excess facial hair, weight gain, and trouble conceiving.
Unfortunately, many women attribute cycle irregularities to “stress” or “lifestyle changes,” while overlooking the fact that persistent irregular cycles can have long-term consequences, including increased risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
The Role of Stigma and Silence
Why do so many women put up with these symptoms? The answer lies in stigma and social conditioning. From childhood, many girls grow up with the message that menstruation is something to be kept quiet about. In several homes, the topic is treated as taboo, leaving young women to think that silence is expected. By the time they become adults, many have already accepted the belief that pain or heavy bleeding is just something to endure.
Breaking this silence is as important as medical treatment. Creating safe spaces—at home, in schools, and in workplaces—where women can talk about their experiences without embarrassment is essential.
Modern Treatment Options: Relief Is Within Reach
The good news is that there are now many effective ways to manage these problems. The right treatment depends on the cause and may include:
A Call to Women: Listen to Your Bodies
Periods are a natural part of life, but constant pain or heavy bleeding is not. If cramps, irregular cycles, or heavy flow interfere with your day, seeing a doctor is not weakness—it is a step toward caring for yourself. Every woman has the right to live without persistent pain and worry. As doctors, our appeal is simple: do not normalise what is abnormal. Listen to your body, seek timely care, and remember that effective solutions exist. Menstruation should not be a silent epidemic; it should be an open conversation about health, dignity, and well-being.
Reference Link
https://www.tv9english.com/lifestyle/the-silent-menstrual-epidemic-why-women-must-not-normalise-abnormal-periods-article-10873086.html