Don’t stop the flow of nature

Monthly periods can be a nuisance. And although many women would like to see their periods every month as a sign of normality, there are others who wish they could stop the monthly flow forever if they could. Rose, was such one woman.

“When I was in school I missed classes for at least two days every month because of menstruation,” Rose informed me when she came to the clinic, “now I have to miss work for the same duration to sort out my period problems.”

She believed that she could not perform as well as boys in school because of the monthly period issues.

She also believed  that now as an employee she could not move up the corporate ladder because of the same problem. Most employers simply do not want to understand that women have to go through such times every month.

DEBILITATING SYMPTOMS

“Nature unfairly curtails our competitiveness as women and gives men much advantage over us,” she said revealing deep-seated frustration.

I agreed with her. Monthly periods do cause debilitating symptoms in a number of women. The pains that come with it can be unbearable and can last for many days on end and sometimes complications of excessive bleeding can happen. Some women also feel bloated and nauseous just before and throughout their periods.

Others even vomit. A number of women have no option but to miss school or work during the very bad days. Even if they chose to stay at school or work, the symptoms would not allow them to concentrate.

“But that aside, periods interfere with my love life,” said Joyce, another patient who came to see me about her periods. Joyce was in a long distance relationship.

 “I cannot imagine my husband being home for two weeks after being away for three months and half of that time I am going through the agony of period pains and messy stains.”

Joyce believes that this may be reason enough for some men to have extramarital relationships.

Both Rose and Joyce had come to the clinic asking for medicine to stop their monthly periods. They had learnt from their friends that such medicines existed.

“My friend has not had periods for six months now and she is happy and healthy so do not look at me as if I am from another planet,” Rose said as she burst out laughing. My body language had betrayed me.

There are definitely situations when one may consider postponing periods, for example to do exams, to attend a job interview, on a wedding day, and on other rare occasions.

I, however, found it rather difficult to support the idea of routinely postponing periods to enjoy the conveniences of life.

“I always thought that you supported women and that you stood for their rights,” said Joyce showing signs of irritation, “I am surprised at your reaction on an issue that affects the socio-economic empowerment of women.” She was getting upset.

Well, I was bound by medical recommendations that health workers have to follow. Interfering with natural processes for convenience reasons is not good practice. The medicines used to postpone periods are hormones and have several undesirable effects in the body.

Used over a long period of time, they may cause nausea and headache, alter body weight and interfere with the strength of bones. They also interfere with ovulation making the monthly cycle irregular so that when they are stopped, the periods become irregular.

Conception during the time of their use may also be interfered with.

It is for this reason that blanket recommendation of the use of the drugs to stop or postpone periods is not ethical. Moreover, healthy sexuality obeys the laws of nature.

“So what do you expect me to do when my husband comes home and finds me in that undesirable state?” asked Joyce.

Well, there are always other options of intimacy. If you are in doubt of your ability to enjoy the intimate pleasures with your husband at such times, some sex coaching lessons may help. Remember there are many non-penetrative sexual activities that couples can enjoy safely. Period sex also does happen and many couples do not mind it.

“And would you rather that I do not become competitive in the job market because of this monthly nuisance?” asked Rose rather rhetorically.

Well, we have medicines to control pain and other symptoms that come with periods. The medicines, when started two to three days before the start of monthly periods, alleviate the pain and discomfort and make this unavoidable time more bearable. Women, therefore, do not therefore have to postpone periods for years to go up the corporate ladder.

A good employer should also not victimise women simply because of natural processes that they have no control over. Beyond the workplace, we remain human beings, made of flesh and blood with all the inconveniences that this brings to life. Supporting women through these natural processes is a right, not a privilege and labour regulations shoul