When 21-year-old Fathia Yusuf, a student at the University of Lagos, woke up to prepare for a 9 a.m. class, she was met with an unwelcome surprise. Her menstrual period had arrived suddenly, staining her dress and leaving her in excruciating pain.
The physical toll was immediate, but the emotional impact was worse. “I feel a total mental breakdown. I’m unable to do anything, neither logical nor knowledgeable,” she said. “Sometimes I seek an escape route in painkillers, hoping for temporary relief.”
For Fathia, as for many other young women, menstruation often means missed lectures, hurried assessments, and a constant battle to balance academics with recurring pain.
She is not alone.
At the University of Ilorin, final-year student Aliyu Rahmat described how menstrual cramps disrupted her studies. “It’s so disturbing if it comes during an examination or CA period,” she said. “Sometimes I go to class with my hot water bottle because the cramps are unbearable.”
While Rahmat finds solace in the reassurance that menstruation affirms her reproductive health, the discomfort remains a major obstacle. “I make sure I always hold sanitary pads whenever I’m going out so that I will never be caught unaware.”
Beyond the Pain
Medical research identifies conditions such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), endometriosis, and uterine fibroids as possible causes of severe menstrual pain. These conditions, though treatable, often go undiagnosed in young women, leaving many to rely on painkillers without addressing underlying health issues.
A graduate of Sociology, who prefers to simply identify as Ms Sherifat, recalled an embarrassing episode when her flow started unexpectedly during a friend’s ceremony. Without pads, she scrambled to manage the situation. “Every month is different. Sometimes I feel at ease, sometimes I face unbearable pain. It was very hard during my academic struggle,” she said.
Ms. Favour, a Law graduate, shared a similar ordeal. “I always have painful periods such that I vomit. If I don’t take painkillers, I will almost die,” she said, describing a dependence on drugs for temporary relief.
The Wider Picture
Studies reveal that 30–90 per cent of young women experience painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), with severe pain affecting about 20 per cent. Research in 2023 found that 81.5 per cent of women experienced dysmenorrhea, with 37 per cent reporting severe pain. Symptoms ranged from fatigue, mood swings, and dizziness to vomiting and diarrhoea.
A 2024 study put prevalence at 69.8 per cent, showing its impact on routine work (37.8 per cent), sleep (29.2 per cent), and social activities (33.8 per cent). Coping mechanisms varied: medications (49.4 per cent), hot water bottles (41.8 per cent), herbs (24.2 per cent), and breathing exercises (11.8 per cent).
Despite this, more than half of respondents believed their experience was “normal,” and only a small minority sought medical help. Experts attribute this to a cultural narrative that menstruation pain is a burden women must “deal with.”
Expert Insight
Dr. Reinnet Awoh, a public health physician, explained that irregular menstrual flow could result from stress, lifestyle changes, or underlying conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, or endometriosis.
“Irregular menstruation is not a disease by itself; it’s a signal that something in the body may not be working as it should,” she said. “Buying over-the-counter drugs or herbs might mask the pain while the root cause worsens quietly.”
She cautioned that when menstrual pain is so severe that it disrupts daily activities or resists standard relief, it could be a sign of a deeper medical problem requiring professional care.
Struggles in Silence
For students like Fathia, Rahmat, and Sherifat, menstrual pain is not just a private health matter; it affects academic performance, social life, and mental well-being. Yet, many continue to suffer in silence, weighed down by stigma, inadequate health education, and lack of access to proper care.
“I have missed lectures and delayed assignments due to cramps,” Fathia admitted. Sherifat recalled losing marks for skipping a class presentation after being stained during her flow.
Their experiences echo a reality for countless students who battle through painful cycles every month, balancing academics with a condition that society often dismisses as “normal.”
Until menstrual health is given the medical and social attention it deserves, their pain—and the silence surrounding it—will remain an unspoken burden.
