Ep. 36: Life's Too Short For Heavy Periods When You're a Teenager!

Today's episode is going to be relevant to you if you (or your daughter) suffers from very heavy periods. Helen Wills talks to Fi Star Stone, who suffered with extreme heavy periods from the age of 15 when her periods began, to the point where it was affecting her quality of life, and her ability to be at school. She was eventually diagnosed with endometriosis and polycystic ovaries, but she says that not all heavy bleeding like hers will have the same causes. Fi talks about how much is too much, what the symptoms of endometriosis are, and what help is available to young girls who have heavy periods with no clinical cause. It's a really honest chat, and Fi gives a lot of hope to teenage girls who might be feeling like they have to suffer in silence. What medications help with heavy periods? Your GP might first of all prescribe Tranexamic Acid, which helps to slow down bleeding, and Naproxen, a strong anti-inflammatory to help with the pain. If these don't help sufficiently, girls might be put on the pill to either reduce the severity of periods, or stop them altogether. Why it's important to go to the doctor if your periods are unmanageable Very heavy, painful periods might be a sign of an underlying condition like endometriosis, which can damage your fertility if left untreated. A simple ultrasound scan can see whether this, or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) might be an issue. Who is Fi Star Stone?  Fi Star-Stone is a bestselling author, qualified parenting advisor, child sleep consultant, and regular contributor to parenting media.  She's also a mum of two little ones born less than a year apart. Fi is a specialist speaker on childcare and parenting issues on the BBC, and a regular face on Mother&Baby IGTV lives.  Fi also co-hosts a podcast 'Self(ish)' which takes a look at the importance of finding 'me time' when there is no time!You can find more from Fi below: * Fi's books on Amazon [https://amzn.to/33Nqvjw] (affiliate link) * Twitter [https://twitter.com/FiStarStone] * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/fistarstone/] * Fi's website The Regular Parent [https://theregularparent.co.uk/] * The Self(ish) Podcast [https://selfishpodcast.co.uk/?_ga=2.127982284.1135006735.1621247897-858455523.1621247897]  * Regular Parent Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-regular-parent-podcast/id1444039434] More teenage parenting tips from Helen Wills: Helen wills is a teen mental health podcaster and blogger at Actually Mummy [https://www.actuallymummy.co.uk/] a resource for midlife parents of teens. Thank you for listening! Subscribe [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/teenage-kicks-podcast/id1501488455] to the Teenage Kicks podcast to hear new episodes. If you have a suggestion for the podcast please email teenagekickspodcast@gmail.com. There are already stories from fabulous guests about difficult things that happened to them as teenagers - including losing a parent [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-do-you-cope-loss-parent-when-youre-teenager-ryan/id1501488455?i=1000495564421], becoming a young carer [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/danielle-on-being-a-young-carer-for-her-alcoholic-mum/id1501488455?i=1000468538022], and being hospitalised with mental health problems [https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/emma-bradley-on-being-hospitalised-mental-health-problems/id1501488455?i=1000470008123] - and how they o

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Welcome to the Teenage Kicks podcast, where we take the fear out of parenting - or becoming - a teenager. The internet is full of parenting advice, from when you feel those first baby kicks, until they reach secondary school. And then it stops. No one is talking about teen parenting problems; so we’re going to. Essential listening for teenagers and their parents, as well as those who work with young adults; Teenage Kicks has teen mental health at its core, and each episode will empower young people to tackle their own problems, and give parents the guidance to know how to help them. Each week Helen speaks to real individuals who've experienced the issues that young people are dealing with now, and they don't sugar-coat it. From exam nerves and career worries to issues around sexuality and consent, we get tips and advice from expert guests who understand what it’s like to be a teenager today. Helen will also be chatting about tough teenage problems like cyberbullying and self-harm, drugs, alcohol and teenage pregnancy, all with a heavy dose of reality from someone who's been there and made it through to the other side. Teenage Kicks for Parents: As parents, we understand some of our kids’ struggles, but let’s face it, it’s been a while, and things have moved on since we last panicked over a detention! Teenage choices today can seem alien to their parents because teenage life has changed so dramatically since we were young. Teenage Kicks helps you unravel topics like social media, sexting and teen self-esteem so that you can figure out what your child needs support with, and what’s just normal teenage behaviour.   Teenage Kicks for Teens: Teenagers and parents come at things from different angles, we know. But teenage life can be challenging, and the support of your parents can make navigating tricky dilemmas easier. Teenage Kicks guests aren’t adults who’ve read a textbook; nor are they heavily invested in your day-to-day safety, like your mum and dad. They are real people who’ve been through what you’re dealing with, and they have the inspiration and advice you need to handle it yourself. Join Helen each week as she chats to a different guest about topics affecting teenagers in 2020, and helps parents and teens to open up a dialogue that will make life easier to navigate on all sides. You'll also find me chatting about teen parenting here: * Actually Mummy [https://actuallymummy.co.uk/] - my personal blog * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iamhelenwills/] * Twitter [https://twitter.com/iamhelenwills] Useful websites: * The Mix [https://www.themix.org.uk/]- good information for under 25's * Shout [https://www.giveusashout.org/] - for anyone struggling with anxiety or depression This series of the Teenage Kicks Podcast is sponsored by Blue Microphones [https://www.blue-designs.co.uk/], who gave me the fabulous Yeticaster mic for all my recordings. It's really straightforward to use, and gives me great sound quality without too much editing.