Let’s talk about it, Period: Canadians struggle to get reproductive conditions recognized, treated

For some, menstruation is a life-giving gift — for others, it's sheer hell. For too long, women have been sitting in silent, crippling monthly agony that far exceeds what's normal.

Editor’s note: In a five-part series, Jayme Doll explores the struggles some Albertans experience in getting their reproductive conditions recognized and treated. Part 1 is in the video player above. The rest of the series will be added as it airs the week of March 10-14.

There are no shortage of labels and euphemisms for it: time of the month, aunt flo, shark week, code red, or, as most of us know it — periods.

A natural, love-hate reality bonding together half of the world’s population.

For some, menstruation is a life-giving gift —for others it can be a week or more of sheer hell.

For far too long, many women have been sitting in silent, crippling agony every month that far exceeds the boundaries of normal.

“You always have those that say, ‘Oh it’s just bad cramps, oh it’s just a tummy ache.’ But I knew my body and I knew something was wrong,” said Canmore’s Katie Leaf.

“It’s really frustrating, I feel the anger of not being listened to,” she said.

Katie’s pain started as a teenager, she never gave up advocating for herself. At 21 years old, she was diagnosed with endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome.