Periods
Periods
Last reviewed July 2025
Thank you to the those who have passed on your suggestions about practical ways to manage periods and options for wheelchair users. Thanks also to the medical professionals who have given us advice to pass on. And many thanks to Mia, Jordanne and Beth for their discussion here:
Recorded: October 2021
How can I manage my periods?
Your SMA has probably made intimate personal care from your parents and others a necessary part of your life. As you get older and your body changes, like many people, you might feel more self-conscious about the way your body looks. You might not like others seeing you unclothed. You need to trust and feel comfortable with the person who helps you.
Like any woman who has periods, you have the option of using towels, tampons or period pants. What people use is down to personal preference and what works for them. Women often try different options as well as different brands to find out. If you find it difficult to change your towel, tampon or pants yourself, you will need someone to help you. You would need to change your towel or tampon roughly every four hours. This means you may need more visits to the toilet than usual and more personal care support during your periods.
At some point most women will experience cramps or pain when they have their period. Here are some ways to help relieve this:
- Dress comfortably, avoid tight clothes
- Lie down
- Gentle tummy massage
- Gentle stretching exercises
- Warm bath or shower
- Hot water bottle or heat pad
- Pain medication (check with your GP if you are not sure what is safe and suitable for you).
If your period pain is intense or you also have dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea, or vomiting during your period then do see your GP.
I’m struggling with managing my periods. What options are there?
Some young women with SMA find dealing with their periods difficult. This can be because of any or all of the following:
- heavy bleeding
- painful periods
- being uncomfortable with having personal care when they have a period
- finding it difficult to live their usual lifestyle when they have a period.
If, after giving yourself time to adjust, you still have period problems, you might want to find out about using a hormonal contraceptive. For example, a combined oral contraceptive pill (the pill). These are designed to prevent pregnancy. They either stop your periods altogether or make them easier to manage. Many young women find this helpful.
If you are not a wheelchair user, you have the option of using a pill prescribed by your GP.
If you are a wheelchair user, your GP may not be willing to prescribe you with the pill. This is because of the ‘UK Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use’ written by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
These guidelines say that due to being less mobile, wheelchair users have a risk of blood clots. This means that the risks to women wheelchair users of taking the combined oral contraceptive pill outweigh the advantages. You can ask for a referral to a gynaecologist to discuss this.
There are alternative options to the pill. Hopefully your GP will be able to provide you with information. This will enable you to make an informed decision about what will be suitable for you. Options include:
- IUS, or intrauterine system (sometimes called ‘the hormonal coil’) – fitted inside your womb
- Progestogen-only pill (also called the ‘mini pill’)
- Implanon (an implant) – about the size of a hairgrip inserted into your arm
- Contraceptive injection
- Contraceptive patch
Whichever option you have, it is important to have regular check ups. You will be able to discuss how things are going and find what works best for you.
Using contraceptives to stop your periods should not cause any damage to your fertility but if you have any concerns about this, please discuss them with your GP.