Chhavi Mittal, who has time and again highlighted the various aspects of fighting breast cancer, recently opened up about experiencing severe period pain at 45. “Not enough is being said about this. Period pain is compared to breaking bones or having a heart attack in extreme cases. Some women are blessed (like me) to endure it strongly, but some simply cannot. I experienced this at 45! All my life, I have thought periods are just another part of my day/month/life. This is a general belief. But I knew something was wrong when I couldn’t get out of bed to make @arhamhussein sleep, or pack tiffins and send the kids to school. Hell, I haven’t gone to the gym in 5 days! I changed tampons every 1 hour for 48 hours straight, dying in pain, and collapsing due to weakness & tingling in limbs. My brain function was hampered, my eyes were closing, and I felt my whole system shutting down,” Mittal shared her ordeal on Facebook.
According to her, the main reason for a heavy flow is thickening of the endometrium (which has many reasons too), “most probably in my case, is the post-cancer hormone therapy. (I get them heavy since 3 years but never like how I experienced this month).”
Fibroids, polyps, etc, are common reasons too. “Just want to put it out there that no way a woman should go through this alone and be expected to behave like nothing’s wrong! That as a man, you cannot do anything about the physical pain, but as a partner for your woman, you can show sensitivity rather than irritability around her during this time. Give her a hot water bag, give her your arms, a kiss, and some jokes, help too to cheer her up. Let her rest, ruffle her hair, make her a cup of tea,” she added.
She continued, “But even if you’re not physically present, be patient when she complains. Tell her it’s OK to cry, to give herself time to recover, that this will pass, and that YOU’RE THERE WITH HER. I’m super proud to raise a sensitive lil man in my own house. Arham hugged me and cried to let me know that he’s worried, he pressed my feet, kissed my forehead, and told me to stay in bed coz he’ll sleep on his own tonight ?? He learns from the best @mohithussein, who always somehow magically takes care of everything when I’m suddenly out of action. He canceled everything to just be available in case I need to be rushed to the hospital. But for women who feel alone through any kind of pain & suffering, join the space I’m creating. U R not alone.”
Is there a link between severe period pain and post-cancer hormone therapy?
Dr Shruti Chandak, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, KIMS Hospitals, Thane, concurred and shared that hormone therapies after cancer can affect the menstrual cycle. “They may change the thickness of the endometrium, lead to irregular cycles, increase flow, or cause more painful periods. Each woman reacts differently, but it’s not unusual to experience menstrual changes after such treatment,” said Dr Chandak.
Does severe pain and bleeding happen to all women?
Not at all, said Dr Chandak. “Some women have minimal discomfort during their cycles, while others face pain or heavy bleeding for years. Factors like age, underlying issues (fibroids, polyps, endometriosis, adenomyosis), or ongoing treatments can make symptoms worse. It’s crucial not to normalise extreme pain; if it feels unmanageable, it should be checked by a doctor,” said Dr Chandak.
Hormone therapy does impact the body (Photo: Getty Images/Thinkstock)
What should women look out for?
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If you are changing a pad or tampon every hour, passing large clots, feeling dizzy, or struggling with daily tasks due to pain, these are warning signs. “Ongoing fatigue or tingling in your limbs, like Chhavi mentioned, can also indicate anemia or other effects of blood loss. These are solid reasons to see a gynecologist promptly,” said Dr Chandak.
What should women do?
The first step is to have a thorough check-up, which may include an ultrasound, blood tests, and hormone evaluations. “Treatment can range from medications and hormone regulation to minimally invasive procedures, based on the cause. For women undergoing post-cancer therapy, the approach should be personalised and closely monitored,” said Dr Chandak.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
