This interview focuses on monthly periods and cramps and the subject of this interview was a late bloomer, She discusses her horrible cramps and how she lives each month dreading her period.
At what age did you start your period?
16, I guess. I know I was done with secondary school.
How many days do you menstruate?
Four days
Does it hurt for the entire four days?
The intensity of the pain varies each day. The first day is too bad, just mild pain on the second and then on the third, there’s a kind of weird pain towards nighttime. I’m always free as a bird on the fourth day.
Walk me through your symptoms
I get to vomit and stool on very bad days but on other days, I get mad cramps, cold and severe headaches.
As far back as you can remember, was the pain always bad or it just aggravates over time.
As far as I can remember, it wasn’t so bad the first few months.
Did you go to the hospital? What did they say?
Yes, I did. They said nothing is wrong with me, asked a few questions, did some tests and said it could be genetic.
But is genetic? did your mum have it?
Yes, she did.
Was it as bad? Whose was worse?
It wasn’t as bad as mine.
What was the worst period cramp you recall having? I know it’s bad every month but which have you had that felt horrific?
There was this one I can recall that was so bad I couldn’t go anywhere the next day. Normally, I lose appetite, but for the drugs, I had custard but the pain didn’t reduce. I stooled and vomited simultaneously too. The drugs couldn’t work with me in such a condition.
How many days that that particular pain last?
Several hours but it felt like days.
How do you cope during those days? What gets you through it?
The first thing I say is “it’ll pass”. I avoid being alone at such moments.
What kind of painkillers have you used? Which has worked for you?
I’ve used it a lot and I’m not sure I can remember all. I’ve used Felvin, Buscopan, and Paracetamol, I tried Flagyl at some point because it was suggested. And then there’s Ibuprofen. But Felvin is still the best one for me.
Apart from drugs, what other thing works for you?
Nothing else actually. I’ve tried warm water bottles, fluids and anything else. But nothing else works. I even heard someone say beans reduce the pain for her but it increases mine.
Does your sister also feel pain?
No. Her’s is like heaven.
How are your “good months” like?
No stooling and vomiting. Just cramps
If you reduce your sugar intake for some months, does it help?
It doesn’t oh. I’ve stayed without sugary stuff for days just for my period and nothing changed. I think stress adds to the pain too.
There was some mixed reaction on Twitter about offices giving their employees period care packages, what’s your take on this?
I don’t see a problem with it. To me, it shows that they care. If I got a package like that at work, it could be timely.
A lot of women don’t feel comfortable discussing their periods, why do you think this is shameful
I guess it could be the reactions they’ve gotten discussing it in the past. Just like some persons don’t like hearing you talk sex, some others don’t see why you should discuss your period. Some don’t even believe period cramps could hurt much.
What do you think can be the solution to period poverty?
I think people should just get more educated on the topic, this leaves everyone well informed. Charities, government, other organisations and also media outlets can help with donations and informing people
