MENSTRUAL HEALTH
IBUKUN BUSARI
Menstruation according to Merriam Webster Dictionary is a cyclical discharge of blood, secretions, and tissue debris from the uterus that recurs in non-pregnant breeding-age primate females at approximately monthly interval… To some women it is just a monthly ritual; while to some it is more than a monthly ritual and the discharge of blood.
This article highlights the struggles women go through with their menstrual health.
Hilary
Omo where do I begin? Is it the delayed periods? Multiple periods in a month? My cervix not dilating enough to let my period through? My entire uterus line passing out in one piece instead if in shreds like my mates? The doctor said its due to hormonal imbalance, they prescribed birth control pills for me, and thankfully it all balanced out.
Angel
I started menstruation at age 9, I was in JSS1. I started feeling severe pain from day one till I was 12. The pain usually lands me in the hospital taking drips. I had a really heavy flow for 5days, and then light flow for 2days. I was on injections almost every period, and then started taking Ibuprofen for it, this continued till 2019. I started practicing an active lifestyle, going for 5km walks 5times a week and the pain reduced, but the flow didn’t. Recently, I stumbled on some supplements specifically for women and my flow has normalized this year, and it last 5 days on an average. This month, I experienced pain, but I think it’s because I’ve slacked off exercising and the supplements.
Ewaoluwa
Menstruation started for me at age 12, it started with excruciating pain and a heavy flow. I did not start out with taking drugs; my parents were really concerned about it. For now, I exercise, take the pain in, take some medications and a hot steam.
Ibukun
Where do I start from? Menstruation has showed me pepper. Till date, menstruations till scares me. I started menstruating with severe pain, crying and rolling on the floor, with heavy flow, i always double my pad, it was torture, and I had to go through it twice a month, thankfully, it’s now once a month. I started taking a particular drug, but sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. The drug stopped working, so I graduated to the use to injections, but my dad was really worried and did not want me to continue using injections. A family friend recommended herbs that I could use, and that’s what I have been using. Has the pain gone completely? No, but it is more bearable now.
Yadah
I have acute dysmenorrhea; the state of having painful periods. It has cure and can only be managed. I started menstruating at 10 in JSS1 with mild pain. Acute pain started the following year and was only diagnosed 4 years later. People said I was experiencing such pains because I wasn’t eating enough or taking too much sugar. But how is it my fault that my menstrual blood does not clot in the right place? Every 3-6 months, I have my system flushed to wash out harmful toxins and I’m on drips for days after. Sometimes I delay my period with this drug that makes me feel all the menstrual symptoms minus the blood. I can’t even eat too salty or sugary food.