Almost since time began women have been having babies, and consequently have been having periods, but have they really always felt as rough as we seem to today? Have women suffered in silence and been ignored until the last few years? There are approximately 10.2 million women of child-bearing age in the UK, the majority – around 80% – of whom will experience symptoms in the days or weeks leading up to their periods. There are several books on the market suggesting a multitude of tips and therapies, but there is a real lack of reader-friendly, accurate, up to date and evidence-based advice that enables women to understand what is going on in her body, to positively and effectively deal with it, and get on with her life.