Hi there,

Thanks so much for your question. This question seems to comes up quite often as it can make people anxious so I’m really pleased you have asked.

If your periods impact your day to day life and restrict you in anyway then I would recommend you go and speak with your GP. A lot of people suffer unnecessarily as they think it’s normal, but really you shouldn’t be limited in what you feel comfortable to do, or by excessive pain, when you have your period.

If you’re suffering from painful cramps then it would be worth trying some light exercise and over-the-counter pain medication. If the pain is severe and these don’t help then definitely go and see your GP.

Some women naturally have heavier periods than others, but if your periods are so heavy that they impact your life, there is help available. Your GP can investigate why you're experiencing heavy bleeding. These investigations may include a physical examination, blood tests or scans.

Military doctors are also very used to dealing with these issues and always happy to give advice. When you deploy on exercise it is always worth taking extra sanitary products, as well as nappy waste bags to dispose of them. There will always be opportunities to wash and ensure you can maintain your hygiene. If you are due to deploy or go on exercise somewhere that does not have the normal sanitary facilities available and you don't feel comfortable with this, there are short term solutions that medical staff can help with.

Whilst I appreciate that it can be daunting to imagine managing these things, it is manageable, and definitely shouldn’t put you off joining.

Good luck with your application!

30 January, 2023 10:42