With a worried look, I ask, “is it menstrual cramps so I send you home? Or it is endometriosis?”
This has been the question I pose to friends (ladies) who look dull and show signs of pain in the first week or last week of every month. Being educated on endometriosis by Katherine Berkoh, I press on them, “Go to the hospital if the pain continues”.
Some men think that menstruation is limited to the changing of sanitary pads, just like changing the diapers of a baby, then, everything returns to normal. That doesn’t end there. There are biological and psychological changes that should be addressed to ensure a full recovery.
In relation to menstrual cramps, men often mention “blue balls” to explain the excruciating pain that women experience. It looks quite simple, as men think of menstrual cramps as a day’s pain. Hey man ! it isn’t easy as that.
On several occasions, I’ve witnessed women wail and later became unconscious due to menstrual cramps, during hours of active work or school. Gosh ! it just reproduces the scene of a woman in labor.
When a woman shows signs of inability to work due to menstruation, pain killers are the best option that an average man will recommend. Men never think of pain killers when “blue balls” happen? That might be the dumbest idea they’ve ever had.
Actually, during menstrual cramps, some women chew pain killer tablets like biscuits or groundnuts. I always get frozen whenever I’m reminded that menstruation is a monthly thing that will last for decades.
Now, as a man, I keep wondering whether they’ve visited the hospital for further health assistance.
In issues of the sexual reproductive system, menstruation is an unattractive topic that most men “despise”. Most sexual reproductive health problems are confined in the heart of women. One may experience pain for two decades and might consider it as a natural phenomenon.
Hey, woman! You got to explain to your doctor or male partner. Every pain has a source.
Many a time, some men don’t understand why women fail to work effectively and efficiently. Laziness mustn’t be the dominant reason for their ineffectiveness. Sometimes you need to be conscious of their biological makeup.
‘Blood, eish! such a disgrace’, this is a common response from some men at the sight of a soiled dress of a woman (stained with blood due to her menstruation). Well, some men are hypersensitive to blood but they need to know how to help women during these times.
The cultural perspective on menstruation influences behaviour towards the topic. For instance, a woman menstruating is regarded as ‘unclean’ in some cultures therefore needs to isolate and forbidden from some activities.
Ms. Nikitta Dede Adjirakor, the Executive Producer of “Thousand Needles”, explains how women do not speak about their sexual reproductive health in an era of open media. You got to watch this movie, it will give you life to speak up.
Women, you need not hide it, speak up, your health is what you have in this world. Just tread cautiously in discussing these issues.
With some knowledge of the female reproductive system, I’ve grown to effectively work with women at various levels. Just keep nodding your head and gaze steadily at me.
Some have attributed the negligent attitude of men to cultural values; some cultures regard menstruation as a bad omen. Women! we got work to do.
Educate the little boy and male friends about female sexual reproductive health.
