GPs in UK urged to routinely ask women and girls about period problems

Leading charity calls current advice inadequate as 42% of 12- to 18-year-olds say their period pains are severe

Women and girls should be routinely asked about their periods during GP appointments to help improve treatment, health campaigners have said.

Large numbers of girls get such painful and debilitating periods that they cannot eat or sleep, have to miss school or end up bedbound, according to a new survey by the leading charity Wellbeing of Women. More than 90% of those surveyed said that they had to change their plans due to heavy bleeding.