Let's Talk Period

10/31/2025

One sign of a bleeding disorder is excessive bleeding during menstruation. Individuals have been known to change their pad or tampon every hour, "double up", or find other solutions to "just deal with it." Get more information in our blog, and Let's Talk.

10/24/2025

Great to see this topic getting the attention it deserves!

10/17/2025

Congratulations to our very own Master's student Maria Avgeropoulos for presenting her research project "Assessing the Utility of Genomic Testing to Achieve Specific Diagnoses in Patients with Bleeding Disorder of Unknown Cause" at the Queen's Health Sciences Research Day this past week. And thank you to all of our research participants; our research would not be possible without you!

10/09/2025

A shout out to our colleague Dr. Michelle Sholzberg and her team for "Raising the Bar" an initiative developed to increase awareness of the high prevalence of iron deficiency, particularly in women, and to improve the diagnosis and treatment of this correctable disorder.

CBC News: Many people living with an iron deficiency don’t even realize it’s the reason they’re struggling with fatigue, anxiety and a lack of concentration. Ontario is changing guidelines on recognizing iron deficiencies — and experts say the move will change lives.

A years-in-the-making adjustment to guidelines covering how iron deficiency is measured in Ontario lab results will be a game changer for patients across the province, according to doctors who worked to make it happen.

A memo sent to physicians last week from Ontario Health says starting Sept. 9 (2024), the best practice guidelines stating the baseline of what has been considered a normal amount of iron will be raised. The lower limits previously varied by lab from under 10 to under 15 micrograms of ferritin — the protein that stores iron — per litre. The limits are now 30 micrograms per litre for adults and 20 micrograms per litre for children, Sholzberg says.

According to experts, the change means people who may have previously been told their iron levels are normal despite not feeling well can now be diagnosed with iron deficiency.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/iron-deficiency-bloodwork-testing-ontario-1.7314795
https://www.hemequity.com/raise-the-bar-home
https://oaml.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Guidelines-for-the-Use-of-Laboratory-Tests-for-Iron-Deficiency-2024-FINALfor-July-distribution.pdf

10/02/2025

On April 17, 2026, the global inherited bleeding disorders community will come together on World Hemophilia Day to advocate for all inherited bleeding disorders. This year’s theme of “Diagnosis: First step to care” highlights the critical importance of diagnosis—the essential first step in treatment and care.

The WFH estimates that over three-quarters of the population of people with hemophilia worldwide are undiagnosed, and an even more significant gap also exists for other bleeding disorders. This means that hundreds of thousands of people around the world still lack access to basic care. We have the power—and the shared commitment—to change this. We can improve diagnostic outcomes by strengthening the skills of healthcare professionals and enhancing the effectiveness of laboratories.

09/25/2025

A diagnosis can be empowering. Get the help you need!

09/18/2025

"I think younger people are more comfortable, discussing these issues which make me hopeful for the future." - Dr. Paula James

There are social taboos about talking openly about menstruation, and so myths perpetuate about what’s normal and what’s not. Communication is key to getting awareness and information out!

https://letstalkperiod.ca/self-bat/

09/10/2025

This looks like such a great session!

https://wfh.org/wgbd2025/ for more information

09/04/2025

Nobody likes waking up to a period stain on the sheets. Bleeding through sanitary protection can be the sign of a bleeding disorder. Get more information on our blog, and take the Self-BAT today!

Having accidents at night and bleeding through sanitary protection onto the sheets during your period is a sign of heavy bleeding, especially if it occurs

08/28/2025

1 in 1000 individuals has a bleeding disorder, but most don't know it. Let's Talk.

08/21/2025

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about your period, especially if you experience heavy bleeding and don’t know why. Take the Self-BAT and find out more. Let’s Talk Period. You don’t have to suffer in silence.

There are many causes of heavy periods which is why this problem should be discussed with a physician. Studies have shown that ~15% of women with heavy

08/13/2025

An average of 16 years elapses between the appearances of an individual's bleeding disorder symptoms and a correct diagnosis.

Let's talk. Find out the next steps to the help you deserve with Canadian Hemophilia Society: https://bit.ly/2P2EjQB