By Edirin Robinson, in Kaduna
Every girl dreams of becoming a woman—not just any kind of woman, but a fine, elegant, intelligent, smart, and dignified woman who can stand tall and proud. While many factors contribute to the success of this beautiful transition, such as parental care, societal standards, and academic discipline, one stands out as a strong determinant: periods.
Menstruation is the periodic physiological shedding of the endometrial lining of the uterus, leading to the discharge of blood and cellular debris from the uterus through the vagina. This natural process occurs in females of reproductive age as part of the menstrual cycle, which is regulated by hormonal changes.
However, many people are unaware of the health benefits that menstruation offers, leading some to view this natural cycle as a curse or an unwanted blessing. In some parts of Nigeria, menstruation is still stigmatized and regarded as ‘dirty’ or ‘unholy.’ This negative perception makes it difficult for girls and women to talk about menstruation, hindering their understanding and acceptance of it.
Due to this stigma, ignorance thrives alongside myths and false beliefs about menstruation, causing many girls to develop negative feelings about their bodies and low self-esteem. Olamide Faruk, a 25-year-old woman who experienced her first period 12 years ago, admits to disliking her periods due to the pain they cause. She described it as a waste of blood and wished it would end soon.
“I wish it would go away. Why would God choose this as the way to make me a woman? When it starts, I feel weak and struggle to walk properly, and I also experience loss of appetite and irritability with myself. It took me years to adjust, and I’ve learned to manage the situation better, but my feelings about menstruation haven’t changed. You become acutely aware of everything around you until it ends for the month, but then you know the visitor will return next month. When will it end?” she wonders.
Medically, menstruation offers various health benefits and serves as a crucial indicator of a woman’s overall well-being. It is a cleansing cycle for the body that provides numerous advantages. Some examples include indicators of hormonal balance, thyroid function, metabolic health, adrenal function, fertility awareness, and emotional wellness.
During menstruation, the body expels excess iron, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and helps flush out toxins. This process is vital for maintaining overall health. An article titled “Health Benefits of Regular Menstrual Periods” by Dr. Sarika Arora, a board-certified expert in Integrative Medicine, highlights these benefits. She emphasizes that periods are more than just the on-and-off flow of blood.
“When I discuss the benefits of periods, many women roll their eyes, laugh, or even cry. While there are defects of menstruation that aren’t great, not everything about it is negative! Regular menstrual periods indicate that your hormones are in balance, which is crucial since about 80% of the women I see in my practice today experience symptoms of hormonal imbalance.”
Dr. Arora noted that if hormonal imbalances are not addressed, they can lead to worsening premenstrual syndrome (PMS), fatigue, weight gain, and increased risk for serious health issues. By being attentive to menstruation and the consistency of the menstrual cycle, women can understand when their hormones are in or out of balance. This knowledge also helps them learn about their bones, thyroid, and metabolic health.
“Understanding your cycle allows you to identify your best days for sexual arousal and enjoyment and leverage days of increased energy for exercise and fitness. Your period is a key tool for making informed health decisions and creating emotional wellness,” she stressed.
Medical scholars and healthcare providers recognize menstruation as a vital aspect of female reproductive health and well-being, acknowledging its significant impact on a woman’s quality of life. Irregularities in menstrual patterns can indicate underlying health issues. It is considered abnormal and potentially dangerous for a girl or woman to experience irregular periods, and healthcare providers often use menstrual history as a diagnostic tool to assess reproductive health and identify potential health concerns.
Irregular periods, also known as amenorrhea, can have various causes and potential risks, including infertility.
