NAPS launch PMS E-bulletin
Welcome to the launch edition of Once a Month, NAPS' exciting monthly on-line bulletin, guaranteed to keep you up to date with the latest initiatives in reproductive and menstrual health treatments and developments worldwide.
NAPS Trustee, Dr Carrie Sadler, who has just finished a major research programme into women's health in Southampton, UK, will also be giving specialist clinical advice and opinion each month. Once a month will ensure that NAPS provides the latest clinical information and research on all aspects of menstrual health. Chris Ryan, NAPS chief executive said:"We hope that readers will find Once a Month informative and useful. Tell us what you think." Just contact us at onceamonth@pms.org.uk
NAPS get media spotlight
The UK media is hot on NAPS heels again, with pleas from journalists and researchers at Best magazine, The Daily Mirror, Channel 4 and the Trisha Show all looking for UK-based volunteers to share their personal PMS experiences with them.
Are you interested in sharing your personal PMS story with the national media, with the opportunity of helping others in similar situations along the way? Then read on.
Best magazine is looking for issues regarding relationships and how PMS has affected these, while the Daily Mirror is interested in experiences ranging from work difficulties due to severe PMS, relationship problems or a new treatment that's turned your life around. Channel 4 is looking for couples to take part in a new series of the popular 'The Sex Inspectors' show. If you are interested, please contact us and we will pass your details on.
Women in Crisis seek NAPS help
NAPS were invited to provide a major London women's refuge with comprehensive good guidance and information on PMS and menstrual health issues.
Christine Baker, the Association's National Officer, joined the multi-cultural group of young women, staying at the St Louise hostel near Victoria station, London. She provided a full range of literature and gave guidance on all aspects of menstrual health. "It confirmed that women from all backgrounds and cultures shared common menstrual health problems. An issue that NAPS is addressing," she said.
St Louise is a young women's hostel in Victoria, London, providing supported housing for 133 young women with support needs - those job seeking or currently involved in education or training, speakers of other languages, women fleeing domestic violence or those with some mental health, behavioural or substance mis-use issues. It can also include women who have lost previous tenancies because of debt.
The hostel aims to support these women whilst they work through their personal issues, encouraging them to live independently. Residents receive help with understanding their benefits claims, looking for work or education and learning to budget and manage on a low income. Katie Clare, who is also responsible for health promotion, provides life-skills sessions.
Following this successful meeting, which received a very positive response from the women who attended, NAPS has been invited to speak at other centres run by the Irish Centre Housing. Further details on Irish Centre Housing can be found on www.irishcentrehousing.org
HRT linked with strokes
The uncertainty surrounding Hormone Replacement Therapy continues with the publication of new evidence linking HRT with strokes. 
A recent report in The Times stated that studies, pooling the results of 28 trials involving 40,000 women, suggested that taking HRT increased the risk of stroke by almost one third. The studies also showed that HRT increases the risk of fatal or disabling strokes by more than half.
The trials reviewed included an American study from the Women's Health Initiative last year that involved around 17,000 women aged over 50.
The results were published in The British Medical Journal online. According to The Times, The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has advised that HRT should only be used in the short term to relieve menopausal symptoms.
