This is Michelle’s story.
Michelle always had “manageable periods” up until three years ago, when she first experienced an unusually heavy period.
“I thought it was a once-off, but then my periods remained consistently heavy thereafter,” said Michelle.
“In the past decade I became an early riser and threw myself into the gym and surf lifesaving.
“But three years ago, I started to burn out from 25 years of nursing, and pouring everything into my work and family,” Michelle said.
“I was literally physically and mentally burnt out after neglecting myself for so long. I sought professional counselling, but my health and wellness failed to improve. Having HMB made this time of my life much, much harder.
“I reduced my work to two-days-a-week and began to develop a course for nurses who too, were suffering from burn out. My health started to improve, but my heavy periods were still a huge burden,” said Michelle.
“My HMB restricted my ability to do anything. I couldn’t work properly. I was constantly on edge, and worrying about bleeding through my clothes, especially while at work on shift in the Emergency department.”
Michelle struggled to speak openly about her HMB symptoms. She felt extremely uncomfortable discussing her medical condition with her family and friends. Even when she sought help from her GP and gynaecologist, she struggled to obtain reliable advice.
“I would be working in ER and suddenly feel the need to run out, to sort myself out. But I couldn’t do this without having another nurse take over, because I was caring for patients in critical condition” Michelle said.
“Living with HMB was like playing Russian roulette. I had to roll with it, particularly if I was trying to save someone else’s life at the time.”
Michelle knew something was wrong, despite making multiple visits to her GP and various gynaecologists, in search of an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
“My periods would last seven days, the first two days of which were debilitating. I was constantly on edge during my period, and worried about flooding.
“Blood would roll down my leg during my shift while looking after a critical patient. I struggled to prepare for, or know how to overcome it,” said Michelle.
“During my period, I couldn’t exercise, so I had no physical or mental release.
“I couldn’t risk going out due to the fear of bleeding in public, especially at the gym. It was a real burden not knowing when, or where I was going to bleed. It was so unpredictable,” Michelle said.
“I had to carry several spare changes of underwear and workout clothes with me if I attempted to go to the gym. It was extremely inconvenient.”
HMB proved extraordinarily burdensome for Michelle, from a physical, mental, and emotional perspective. After enduring six months of uncontrollable bleeding, she sought medical advice.
It wasn’t until three years later, and multiple hospital appointments however, that Michelle finally secured the professional advice and subsequent treatment she required.
“Period health isn’t taken seriously. Until you experience it first-hand, and know what it feels like, you can’t fully appreciate its seriousness,” said Michelle.
Michelle took months before she selected the best treatment option for her. Today, she is “beyond satisfied” with her treatment and relieved to have finally got her life back on track.
“If you suspect your periods are abnormal, don’t put up with it.
Visit your doctor without delay and find a treatment option that best suits you.
“The sooner you find an effective treatment, the faster you’ll get your life back,” Michelle said.
