Fran Steyn's struggle with heavy periods led her to a life-changing discovery that transformed her health and wellbeing.
Fran Steyn, a 41-year-old women’s health fertility nurse from Swansea, has faced a relentless battle with heavy menstrual bleeding that disrupted her life for years. After navigating a frustrating maze of NHS referrals with no real solutions, she stumbled upon hope in an unexpected place: a Tube advertisement.
This moment not only transformed her health but also inspired her to advocate for better awareness surrounding menstrual health among women.
The Struggle with Heavy Periods
For over two years, Fran endured debilitating monthly cycles characterized by extreme heaviness and pain.
Her condition drained her physically and emotionally, making it tough to work, socialize, or even step outside her home. “After my second child, everything changed. My periods became so heavy and painful that I couldn’t leave the house,” she shared.
Despite her expertise in women’s health, Fran found herself caught in a frustrating loop of ineffective referrals and appointments.
“I knew my symptoms weren’t normal. But every time I sought help, I was passed from department to department,” she explained. The delays in getting a hormonal coil felt endless, with referrals disappearing into the system. Each attempt to find help seemed like a new obstacle, forcing her to restart her search for solutions.
This cycle of pain and frustration dragged on for two to three years. Then, one day on the Tube in London, Fran spotted an advertisement for Evana, a medication containing tranexamic acid, an over-the-counter treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding. “It was like a lifeline,” she recalled. “I didn’t realize you could buy it without a prescription.”
A Life-Changing Discovery
After purchasing Evana, Fran experienced an immediate improvement. “It sounds cheesy, but it’s the truth – it changed my life,” she stated. Within one cycle, her bleeding became manageable, and her pain significantly reduced. “I could work, socialize, and just be me again,” she said, relieved to reclaim control over her life.
Each tablet of Evana contains 500mg of tranexamic acid, a powerful treatment that can reduce menstrual blood loss by up to 60%. Studies have shown that this medication significantly improves the quality of life for women suffering from heavy periods. Fran’s experience reflects a common yet often overlooked struggle faced by many women, underscoring the urgent need for better awareness and understanding of menstrual health.
The emotional toll of her condition was just as significant as the physical pain. Fran recounted how her life revolved around her menstrual cycle: “I’d plan holidays around my period. My husband would say, ‘We can’t go away that week, you’ll bleed through.’ We cancelled things. It wasn’t just a period – it was a looming threat every month.”
Advocacy and Awareness
Fran’s journey didn’t stop with her discovery of Evana. Recently, a gynaecologist colleague helped her identify the underlying cause of her heavy periods: fibroids. While she’s currently waiting for a formal referral, she’s grateful for the relief Evana provides in the meantime. “I’m still waiting for a formal appointment with the gynaecologist and then potentially surgery, which could take another year. But at least now I have something that helps,” she said.
Fran has turned her experience into a powerful call for advocacy, urging other women to seek help and not be afraid to voice their struggles. “I tell everyone about it. If you’re struggling – speak up. And don’t stop,” she emphasized. Her message is clear: “You have to advocate for yourself. It’s not normal to have heavy bleeding. You don’t have to live like that.”
Through her journey, Fran Steyn not only reclaimed her life but also became a passionate advocate for better menstrual health support, ensuring that other women do not suffer in silence. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of awareness and the need for open discussions about women’s health issues. So, what’s stopping you from taking control of your own health narrative?
