More Than Just a Period: The Silent Struggles and Strength of Menstruating Girls and Women

By Itunuoluwa Bilesanmi

Every month, for billions of women and girls across the globe, a silent rhythm flows beneath the surface of daily life — menstruation. It's natural, essential, and universal. Yet for many, it remains surrounded by stigma, misinformation, and neglect. While society moves forward with technological advancements and gender equality campaigns, the period still pauses the lives of millions in painful and silent ways.

The First Flow

For 14-year-old Zainab Yusuf, her first period came as a shock. "I thought I was injured," she recalled with a shy smile. "Nobody told me what to expect. I was scared." Zainab, like many girls in rural communities in Nigeria, had not received proper menstrual education. It wasn’t until her mother explained that it was part of growing up that she began to understand.

In many parts of the world, menstruation is still treated as a taboo topic — not to be discussed openly. This lack of open conversation leads to confusion, shame, and even school absenteeism.

When Period Means Pause

According to a 2023 report by UNICEF, 1 in 10 girls in Africa miss school during their periods due to a lack of access to sanitary products and clean toilets. Some even drop out completely. This isn’t just a health issue — it’s an education crisis.

“Menstruation should never be the reason a girl fails or drops out,” says Dr. Amaka Nwosu, a women’s health advocate and gynecologist. “But without the right support — like pads, privacy, and proper hygiene — periods can steal opportunities.”

Pain That’s Dismissed

For some, menstruation is more than inconvenience — it’s excruciating pain. Conditions like dysmenorrhea (severe cramps) and endometriosis are often brushed off as “normal period pain” when, in fact, they can be debilitating.

“I used to faint from the pain,” says Chidinma, a 24-year-old university student. “Lecturers didn’t believe me. They said I was just being dramatic.”

Women with menstrual-related disorders often suffer in silence, misdiagnosed or ignored. There is a dire need for awareness and sensitivity — not just in hospitals, but in homes, schools, and workplaces.

Breaking the Taboo

Fortunately, change is beginning to flow.

Social media platforms have become spaces where women share their period stories, swap tips, and call out period poverty. Non-profits like Pad-Up Africa and Stand with a Girl (SWAG) have distributed thousands of reusable pads and launched education campaigns in schools and communities.

In 2022, the Nigerian government announced the National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management — a step toward ensuring every girl and woman menstruates with dignity.

A Natural Cycle, A Human Right

Menstruation is not just a women’s issue. It’s a public health matter. It’s about equality. When girls are denied education, when women are forced to hide their pain, when menstruation is shrouded in shame — society suffers.

Menstrual health should be a right, not a privilege.

What We Can Do

Talk openly about periods — at home, in classrooms, in the media.

Provide access to affordable menstrual products.

Educate boys and men to build a culture of respect and support.

Train teachers, employers, and health workers to be sensitive and informed.

As we continue to push for gender equality, let’s not forget the power in supporting the simple, natural process that connects every woman from Lagos to London, Kano to California.

Periods are not shameful. But ignoring them is.