Overview

• Dr Punam issued her latest warning after helping a woman who fainted in a coffee shop and assumed it was just part of her period
• She identified red flags that need medical attention: saturating pads or tampons hourly, passing clots larger than a 10p coin, bleeding for over seven days, and feeling dizzy or exhausted
• Potential causes range from endometriosis and adenomyosis to fibroids, PCOS, hormonal imbalances and Von Willebrand’s disease
• The NHS GP stressed that heavy periods are common but debilitating symptoms should never be accepted without a professional evaluation
• Her social media post has prompted women nationwide to share stories of dismissed concerns and emphasise the need for better menstrual health support