Women and girls

JAIME CHASE

Jaime Chase is the Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Children’s Cancer & Haematology Service, John Hunter Children’s Hospital, Newcastle NSW

Women and Girls
 
Chair, introduction and personal story ~ Sharron Inglis
Understanding, recording and reporting bleeding symptoms in girls and women ~ Jaime Chase, Joanna McCosker
New clinical approaches in managing women and girls with bleeding disorders across the lifespan ~ Dr Mandy Davis
Gynaecological issues for women and girls with bleeding disorders ~ Dr Angela Dunford
Sport and exercise for girls and women ~ Hayley Coulson
 
The session regarding women and girls commenced with a personal story by Sharron Inglis, an Australian community leader, and raised some interesting questions about society’s perspective on women with bleeding disorders. Advocacy, support and education were highlighted as her most important messages.
 
Heavy periods can negatively impact on physical, emotional and social quality of life and reduce work capacity – so how can we fix this?
 

Joanna McCosker and Jaime Chase discussed the importance of normalising the conversation around periods as they commence and as a woman moves through her lifespan to menopause. The session included:

• Define the words you use around periods – be open and honest when you talk to young women.
• What is a normal menstrual cycle and how to identify if you have heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) – Remember 7, 2, and 1

7 – Over 7 days is too long for a period to last
2 – Soaking a pad or tampon in 2 hours or less is not normal
1 – Passing clots the size of a $1 coin is not normal

• What is a bleeding assessment tool and where to find one
• How to report symptoms and when to seek help
• Period tracking apps and how to prepare for the first period
• Identifying symptoms of menopause.

 
Further information is located at:
 

• HFA (Hemophilia Federation of America) Blood Sisterhood App 
• Let's talk period
• Factored In > Girls 

 
Dr Mandy Davis discussed new clinical approaches in managing women and girls with bleeding disorders across the life span, concentrating on the available treatments for bleeding issues, how to treat low iron and diagnostic difficulties that women may face.
 
Dr Angela Dunford discussed how challenging menarche can be for a young woman with a bleeding disorder. The causes of abnormal menstrual bleeding can differ greatly across the lifespan and this must be taken into consideration before treating. Hormonal treatments for young women are evolving and there are options available to help control the issue of heavy periods or heavy menstrual bleeding.
 
Finally, Hayley Coulson discussed the importance of sport and exercise for young women and how to do this safely and in a controlled way. Importantly, she discussed what to do with an injury and when to seek further help.