In March, we celebrated a lot of special days. From International Women’s Day, World Hearing Day, and my favourite, Poetry Day. My absolute favourite would be because it is endometriosis awareness month. So, for the whole of March, awareness of endometriosis is to be done. I have written about it before and made it an oath to continue creating awareness.

The number of cases of Namibian women who have endometriosis is becoming quite alarming, the coverage of the silent but dangerous disease is applaudable. This is one of the many things that many of us (women) push under the package of painful periods.

 I am 100% sure that for as long as you are God’s strongest soldier when it comes to periods cramps, chances are very high that you might have it. Because period cramps are sometimes said to be hereditary, growing up with these painful periods, conversations with our aunts and sisters were never concerning. This is because we were told that was how it was for them – and in our families, women just have painful periods. 

For me, growing up was no different until two years ago when my friend was diagnosed with endometriosis. For her and I, painful periods were a thing until she decided to visit her doctor because the painkillers were not doing it for her anymore. This came as a shock because what do you mean you cannot give me stronger painkillers because there is something else wrong?

 Luckily for her, it was not that severe; however, it did not mean it was not a dangerous space to be in.

Just to reinforce and visit the symptoms of endometriosis, apart from really painful periods, painful bloating could be one of the symptoms as well. This often results in one not being able to eat certain foods without being bloated and in pain. I believe that as adults, women who have this symptom might often mistake it for being lactose intolerant. Which, in this case, it can be. Being constantly tired is also a symptom of the disease. This often results in being unmotivated and ‘lazy’. 

The other symptom is that one would often have painful period symptoms, without being on their periods. This is often why women say that they only have one week off in a month. Most of the time, this manifests into heavy and irregular periods. 

Lastly, painful sex is one of the symptoms as well. Sex is not supposed to be painful.

If these symptoms sound familiar, please visit a gynaecologist and/or your doctor. Do not live in silence.  

*Frieda Mukufa’s lifestyle section concentrates on women-related issues and parenting bi-weekly in the New Era newspaper. She also specialises in editing research proposals, proofreading as well as content creation. - etuholefrieda@gmail.com