Iris

Brief Outline:

Iris is 15. Her periods weren’t too bad when they first started, but after a while the cramps escalated to the point where they would wake her in the night and started impacting on her at schools. Initially paracetamol and ibuprofen sometimes helped, but then this was not reliable, which made her fear or dread her periods. She had to step out of a timed exam, and this with the impact on her sleep, made her decide to see a GP, supported by her mum. She found this really helpful, and was able to explain her difficulties, and felt validated and heard because the GP was kind and gave her a safe space to talk about periods in a way that felt comfortable, even though she had been a bit worried about it beforehand. She was given options, and decided to try mefanemic acid because it was targeted towards the pain, and this has been transformative, and reduced her cramps to a manageable level, and she wishes more people were taught about this. For her Active Citizenship project, she volunteers in school to make period products freely available to fellow students and was empowered and supported by a teacher to give a talk about periods to her class. She thinks raising awareness might help reduce the taboo about periods, but that this can be difficult so she really appreciated the support of her teacher when doing this. Clips read by an actor.

Iris’s periods started out ok, but quickly became really painful and impacted her school and sleep. She has now got pain medicine from the GP which has really helped (read by an actor).

I think I was about 13, nearly... nearly 14 I think, around that kind of age. And I think they were... they were fine for now. They were relatively... light and they weren’t particularly regular for the first... first few months and it was... I mean, they... they were quite easy to manage. And I... and then I think as I started to get on a little bit more, I think I started to usually have one or two really painful cramps every... like every period. And I do... I do remember having like this little pen and then I’d like scratch at some of the paint ’cause they did actually get quite painful, but then they did stop after like an hour of like a lesson, so I then... I mean, then that was fine. And then they didn’t actually get much better. I think they... they started to actually get a lot... a lot worse. So, I... then I think, in a... in a... and then a year’s time, then I would wake up like in the middle... in the middle of the night, sometimes with a really, really, really bad period cramps, and then I’d go down and get my mum and then we’d like listen to a podcast or we might... And... and I mean I’d take paracetamol and ibuprofen, but they weren’t particularly effective. Yeah, it wasn’t... they... it wasn’t particularly great. But actually, then before my... the end of my Year 10 assessments, I was really worried about getting a really bad period cramp in the middle of an exam, so even though they’re Year 10 assessments, they still kind of mattered to me. So, then we went to the doctor’s and then they managed to prescribe me some mefenamic acid. And then I’ve been... I’ve been taking that ever since actually and it’s like, yeah, three tablets once every... once after breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it’s... I don’t get period cramps anymore. So Yeah.

Iris explains how her worry about when she would get period pain added to the emotional aspects of periods (read by an actor).

I think emotionally when I was on my periods I think I always became a little bit more... a little bit more distressed and I think I might have like an occasional like emotional breakdown sometimes. But yeah, but I think... I don’t think the fear particularly impacted how I would go about my day, but I think there was all... there was always like a still small like niggling thought in the back of my mind like: ‘oh, gosh, you’re on your period, you’re... you’re gonna get a bad cramp at some point,’ so... yeah.

Iris didn’t have many cramps with her first few periods, but with later periods and over time she developed marked cramps that impacted on her daily life (read by an actor).

In my first few periods I didn’t get any cramps at all, it was quite... they were really easy to manage actually, yeah…I think... I think at the start I was a bit like... I think actually it kind of empowered me a little bit at the start ’cause I was like: ‘Oh, look I’m...’ I... I felt... I felt more woman-like if I’m honest, I was like: ‘oh, look I’m... I’ve got my period, I’m dealing with period cramps,’ I felt embarrassingly quite grown up, but... But then I think I started to get quite sick of them ’cause they did end up impacting my daily life a lot and... yeah

Iris learned at school about bleeding, but not really about cramps or emotional distress. She had to learn about these through experience with support from friends, family and the internet (read by an actor).

And can you remember anything about kind of learning about periods or learning about what to expect?

I don’t think I was ever really introduced into what cramps would be like. I think I remember in Year 5 and Year 6 you did that thing when everyone... and I was at an all-girls’ school for... for primary so they gave you, like, some pads and you had to like put them on your hand. I mean that... that... I mean that... that kind of thing. So... so as in I was fine, completely fine to manage them, but I think it was the cramps: I didn’t... I didn’t really know what to expect with them. I... yeah, I think I was... I was a bit... I was a bit unsure about them and I’d... I... I was told that they would like be really bad but I didn’t really expect them to be as... as bad as they were; I didn’t really have a full picture in my mind of how they would be

And I think I’ve understood you saying that you didn’t kinda get taught... your... your teaching at school wasn’t particularly about cramps, that was more what you got from your friends?—

Yeah. There wasn’t anything about cramps at all, it was more just how to manage them with pads and stuff and... yeah.

So, it was about managing the bleeding?

Yeah, rather than actually managing the pain or the emotional distress that went along with them.

And is that something that’s ever changed? Have you had any kinda other teaching or lessons as you’ve gone through school?

Now... now that I think about it, I don’t think so, no, I’ve never really been introduced to cramps or anything like that.

Have you ever kind of looked it up yourself or kind of Googled things or tried to look for more information?

I think... I think once when I was... when people were talking about cramps and I was a bit curious, I think I searched up what they would... what they would be like. But actually... actually not that much really, no.

Can you remember if you found anything helpful?

I didn’t remember a Google search, but... but my mum said they felt like twisted wires, or something. And then, I mean that’s all the information that I really got from it, and then I then experienced my own kind of cramps, and that wasn’t very fun.

Iris did her school citizenship project about making period products available. She gave a talk about this to her class (read by an actor).

Can you tell me anything about what you’ve kind of noticed that’s led you to notice that or to kinda come up with that?

I think no-one really talks to guys about their periods and I think it would... I think it would be quite hard to start doing so because I think... not... I think the girls, for me, I... I would be fine, but it’s more about the reaction of other people. So, I think I would... I’d feel quite uncomfortable about that. I just don’t think they’re really talked about enough. We do have bo... throughout the period thing on Wednesdays, we do have boxes and we have like free-to-take stuff, but... and there’s girls’ toilets, specifically girls’ toilets that’s stocked with period stuff, but there’s actually not that much talk or awareness about it.

And can you tell me a bit about your product thing? ’cause that’s a fantastic...

Oh, yes.

the kinda taboo... do people feel happy to use that or do you feel like that kinda comes together a bit as well?

Yeah. So, for the project thing we do a citizenship GCSE from Year 9 to Year 10, so that was my Active Citizenship Project and so I chose to raise awareness about periods. And then I did have to actually do a presentation on periods to my class and that included about 70 percent boys. And actually they... there were no massive... I... I don’t think the boys were... they didn’t react at all, they weren’t laughing and they like... well, they didn’t ask me loads of questions, it was like fine. So, I think we do have like lots of period boxes, I think in Year 10 I think some boys would kind of like take the pads from there and like stick them up on the... on the walls, and stuff. I mean as... as they would. But actually, when you did... when we did change them in the Year 10 toilets’, they... I mean people did actually, actually use them, and so we’d like refresh them every Wednesday. Usually we... we do have a thing where you can... you’re... you’re welcome to come in and pick up stuff, but I think most people may not feel super-comfortable doing that, so we do have those boxes, and we have had a few people come in, but not loads, but... and I think the box is the main thing that we do.

OK. So... and your observation is that people are really glad to use them, but maybe more when it’s a bit private in the toilet rather than coming into a room to get them?

Yeah, I think... I think definitely, yeah, I agree

And... and I’m so glad your talk went well.

Oh, yeah, gosh. I was really stressing out about how people would react because from a class... like I think this was, yeah, Year 9 boys, so quite relatively immature. And then actually, I think, yeah, I had a female teacher and she was really empowering... empowering me to do this. And I know that she would have given them a talking to if they did say anything. And I think everyone... no-one treated me any differently. When that happened, I think it was pretty normal, actually, yeah.

While she wouldn’t go out of her way to discuss periods, Iris will talk about them if there is a focus or reason for the conversation (read by an actor).

Do you talk to your friends much about periods? Or I think you said it was more practical about pads and toilets and when you go?—

I think... I mean I think in general, actually, I think me and my friends were... are quite relaxed about it. I don’t think it’s one of those things which we try and avoid in the topic of conversation or try and go out of our way to talk about it. I think it’s one of those things which is... which seems quite natural like: “[sighs] I’m on my period, can we quickly pop to the bathrooms?” or, “oh, I’ve really bad period cramps,” or... I mean or something like that, I think it’s seen... seen as very normal. So, we definitely would... definitely would talk about them a little bit, but not... not loads.

Got it. So, you’d talk about them when there was kind of focus to the conversation?

Oh, yeah, I mean, oh, yeah, definitely.—

Like you needed to go to the bathroom or you needed...?

Yeah. But it... I mean I think... I don’t think we would go out of our way to talk about them, but I don’t think we would shy away from the fact that we do have periods, and I think we all... we all quite relaxed about it really, yeah.

And would that be girls and boys or would it tend to be more girls?

I think most of my closer friends are girls, but I... I wouldn’t particularly feel super-duper comfortable about talking to a guy about it. But I mean I do have close friends who are guys, but I wouldn’t really talk to them about my periods; I think I’d feel a little bit uncomfortable with that.

OK. Do you have any thoughts on why it might feel a little bit more uncomfortable or just...?

I... I think I’d feel fine talking about them, but I think I would worry about the way that they would act about it ’cause I don’t think they would... I don’t think their parent would probably tell them how to act when a girl talks to you about their period. I think... I think they... I don’t think they... to me I don’t think they know much about it and I think they’d maybe like blush a little bit or like turn around on the floor, so I don’t think it would really be super-duper effective to do it like that.

Or comfortable for you.

Yeah.

OK. And I guess you’re mostly having those conversations around practical things?

Oh, yeah, more practical things, yeah.

Iris had period pain which was stopping her sleeping. When she was unable to complete an assessment in school, she realised she needed to do something about her pain. Her mum supported her to see a GP (read by an actor).

Can you remember anything at all about what kinda led you to that decision that you thought: ‘OK, now I’m gonna go and try and get some advice,’ what that was like?

So, I think every... I think I knew that every period that I would have I’d get at least one set of really, really bad cramps and then these I think, I might get them maybe like two or three times and then I might wake up in the night, and that actually really did distress my sleep schedule a little bit. Waking up at 12 and then kind of staying awake for two, three hours and then going back to sleep and then having to wake up again for school. And then I think it... it did mainly…probably when I had a... a Spanish writing assessment and then they came on really strong during that, even though I did take paracetamol and ibuprofen which... and they just didn’t work, and then I felt... I felt quite helpless then because obviously like they... she can’t just pause the writing assessment for my period cramps. So, I didn’t really know what to do and I think I felt... I did feel quite lost and I was like, look, I’ve got Year 10 assessments coming up which... which are all in like exam conditions in a hall with like an invigilator so I can’t really go out and, yeah, get some paracetamol and ibuprofen, so I thought I actually do need to do something, because my mum knew how hard it was for me as well, so I think... I think she supported my decision to look into it.

Iris’s GP helped her feel comfortable to talk about periods. She was given space to explain what was happening so that they could agree on a treatment option to try (read by an actor).

OK. So... and then did you... and when you went to the doctor, can you tell me a bit about what that was like and what happened then?

Oh, it was... it was really nice actually. So, I... I went in and the lady who was there, I think she made me... she made me feel really nice and comfortable and I think she asked me a bit about how my periods were, like were in general, like heaviness or lightness. But she made me... she did make me feel quite comfortable as if it was quite a normal thing. Because if you think about it, I only... I wouldn’t really talk about periods that much and say, so, “Oh, look, I need to go to the bathroom to change my pad,” or “my tampon”. I think it was, yeah, she made me feel very comfortable and then asked me a bit about how my periods were, and then... yeah, and then how bad my cramps were and then she could then suggest some options. So, it was... yeah, it was really beneficial actually, yeah.

Were you worried about it at all before you went?

No, I wasn’t actually. I think the only thing I’d be worried about was if I could get a good solution about it, but I was... I was more or less confident that I would manage to... manage to find something, yeah.

So, it was good to get someone who I think I could relate a bit more to. And I think she seemed quite open with everything and, yeah, it was really good.

Iris had debilitating period pain and used to dread her period. After going through options with her GP, she tried mefenamic acid which has been a ‘game-changer’ for her (read by an actor).

So, then we went to the doctor’s and then they managed to prescribe me some mefenamic acid. And then I’ve been... I’ve been taking that ever since actually and it’s like, yeah, three tablets once every... once after breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it’s... I don’t get period cramps anymore.

Had you researched up any options or did she give you any options of things you could try?

Yeah, so she said... she said I could go on the pill. She said I... I think she... mefenamic acid was one of those things that she said was good and I think she suggested this one thing, she said, “If you have really, really heavy periods and bad cramps, and this is a good thing.” But she... yeah, she gave me lots of... lots of very valid options.

Mm. And can you remember what it was that made you think you might try mefenamic acid first?

I think... I think that was the one that she most strongly recommended because I think my periods weren’t... they were... weren’t particularly light or weren’t particularly heavy, leaning slightly more towards the heavy side, but they weren’t... they weren’t completely crazy, but... And then I think... I think the mefenamic acid seemed the most... the... the best... the best option for my lifestyle; I don’t think it seemed like it would affect it that much, and then it wouldn’t be much of a change, and... yeah.

OK. And it’s worked?

Oh, yeah, definitely, yeah, 100 percent it’s worked.

That is fantastic.

Yeah, it’s really, really good, yeah.

So how do you feel about them now, now that you’ve kinda found something that does work for you, does that make a difference?

Oh, definitely, 100 percent. I think I was actually, yeah, really terrified of my periods, but I think now having mefenamic acid, or knowing that there’s a way that actually does work, I think it’s... it’s made me feel so much less stressed and a lot more comfortable with my periods. It’s more just the bleeding that I have to deal with now and obviously the emotional aspects, but re... it’s really doesn’t impact me that much actually.

I don’t... I think it was probably one of those ones which I’d be leaning less... less towards. I think I’d rather... I’d rather take something that was also more dedicated to period pain. I’m not entirely sure how to describe it, but I think I felt I... I’d feel more comfortable using... using something else rather than the pills dedicated... or more used for something else like getting... getting pregnant rather than... rather than period pain. So, I think it felt better to use... yeah, to use something that was specifically for that, yeah.

Oh, massive game changer for me. I know it might not work for everyone, but for me I think, yeah, if you do have really bad cramps, which actually do affect your lifestyle, it’s actually really beneficial to get something like that ’cause it’s really changed my like view on periods completely.

Iris advises young people with cramps that are stopping them doing what they want to see a doctor, because she says medication has “literally transformed my life” (read by an actor).

So, would you have any advice for other kinda young people?

I think young people starting... starting their periods, I think if you get the odd occasional cramp or two, definitely start off with paracetamol or ibuprofen and just see where that gets you. But I think if they... if they do work a bit, but then they actually aren’t as effective as you’d want them and your period cramps really do affect your lifestyle, definitely, definitely go see a doctor ’cause mefenamic acid has literally transformed my life. I... yeah, I don’t know where I’d be without it.