Talking about Your Periods: Why It Matters for Nigerians and Africans
Across Nigeria and much of West Africa, cultural silence and stigma around menstruation persist, affecting millions of girls and women. Recent data paints a clear picture: according to a Kotex survey, 43% of those who menstruate in their country reported feeling shame or embarrassment tied to their period—a feeling even more intense among teenagers and school-age girls. The silence is particularly harmful in societies where young people are discouraged from discussing intimate health matters, leaving them confused, unsupported, and vulnerable to misinformation.
However, the tide is slowly turning. Influencers and advocates across the continent, from Lagos to Accra, are increasing efforts to normalize menstrual health conversations. Platforms like TikTok have become hotbeds of authentic discussion, with hashtags like #periods, #periodstories, and #periodhacks amassing over 100,000 posts. This grassroots movement is gaining momentum because over half of Gen Z in Nigeria, Ghana, and beyond reportedly use social media for health information, sometimes even before reaching for Google. This digital shift provides a powerful opening for menstrual health education and destigmatization across Africa.
As Dr. Nosipho Danielle Mhlanga, a South African medical doctor and health advocate, puts it, “Efforts to encourage open conversations around periods are vital. They create space for young women and girls to embrace who they truly are, regardless of the time of month.” Importantly, this narrative is echoed by Nigerian health educators like Mrs. Chiamaka Okechukwu, who regularly hosts menstrual health workshops in Abuja, aiming to equip girls and mothers with facts—not fear.
Breaking the Silence: A Path to Real Change
Open conversations about menstruation do more than reduce stigma; they can drive policy shifts and address practical barriers for millions of people. A prime example: in 2018, menstrual health advocates, including Kotex, lobbied the South African government to remove the VAT tax on sanitary pads. The campaign succeeded, making pads VAT-exempt and more affordable for everyday families battling economic hardship.
Nigeria and Ghana face similar challenges. With the high cost of sanitary products—often imported and subject to tariffs—a significant number of rural and low-income Nigerian women resort to alternatives like cloth rags or tissue paper, risking infection and disruption of their daily lives. Conversations at home, at school, and online can push government and business leaders to address these issues, including advocating for free or subsidized menstrual products in schools, markets, and IDP camps.
Scientific progress also hinges on breaking taboos. Only recently, in 2023, a Scientific American investigation revealed that absorbency claims on period products can be misleading, since tests use saltwater instead of blood. The implications are serious: doctors may be underdiagnosing heavy menstrual bleeding, a symptom that can indicate larger health concerns such as fibroids or anemia—both common among African women. These findings reinforce why accurate data and open dialogue are essential for better care and advocacy.
Simply put, when women and girls talk about menstruation without shame, they not only claim their right to knowledge and support but also spark the wider conversations necessary to demand change from leaders, educators, and health professionals. Here, local and international experts offer practical advice on navigating menstrual conversations at home, at work, and with doctors.
Expert Advice: How to Make Period Conversations Easier
Normalizing the Talk: Tips for Nigerian and African Mothers
For many Nigerian girls, the first period arrives with confusion and little prior discussion—sometimes accompanied by outdated myths or even fear, especially in more conservative families. Mothers and caregivers play a vital role in demystifying menstruation and providing reassurance.
Dr. Kemi Rockson, an OB/GYN based in Midrand, South Africa, highlights the value of honest, supportive reassurance. She suggests, “Let your child know that menstruation is part of growing up and a sign of good health. Use simple words, such as, ‘Periods are normal. It’s simply your body doing what it’s supposed to do.’” Similar guidance is echoed by local experts in Nigeria, like Dr. Ngozi Okafor, who encourages mothers to break generational silence and address their daughters’ questions without judgment or awkwardness.
Naznin Bhom, pharmacist academic intern at Zoie Health, also recommends steering clear of euphemisms or phrases that carry negative or shameful connotations, such as “dirty secret” or “that time of the month.” Instead, she encourages parents to frame menstruation as a sign of maturity and normal development. Open dialogue and reassurance ensure girls feel empowered, not embarrassed. “Periods are a natural part of life, and there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of,” Bhom adds.
Lastly, mothers should encourage questions. “Let your daughter know there’s no such thing as a silly question. Creating that openness removes embarrassment,” explains Dr. Rockson. Community workshops, like those run by the Wellbeing Foundation Africa in Lagos, are increasingly providing mothers and girls safe spaces to ask questions and access resources.
Managing Periods in Nigerian and African Workspaces
For working women, periods can come with symptoms like pain, fatigue, or discomfort that affect job performance. Yet talking to employers or colleagues about these challenges can be intimidating, especially where menstrual stigma remains strong. According to Lagos-based HR specialist Mrs. Oluwatoyin Adewale, companies in Nigeria rarely provide specific policies for menstrual health, though some global firms are beginning to lead by example.
Dr. Rockson recommends preparing for conversations with supervisors by choosing a private setting—such as a one-on-one meeting—and keeping the discussion practical and solution-oriented. “You might say, ‘I sometimes experience painful periods that affect my concentration. I’d appreciate some flexibility during those days.’ This approach opens the door to supportive dialogue while underscoring professionalism.” Bhom advises against over-explaining or apologizing excessively: “You have the right to prioritize your health, and honesty is important.”
Organizations can also support menstrual health by introducing gender-sensitive policies, providing accessible sanitary products in workplace bathrooms, and allowing flexible sick leave. These strategies not only support women but also foster a more inclusive work environment.
Discussing Period Concerns with Doctors: Getting the Right Care
All too often, Nigerian and West African women report feeling dismissed or misunderstood by doctors when they discuss menstrual problems, from severe pain to heavy bleeding. Health experts recommend coming prepared to medical appointments with detailed records tracking your cycle: dates, flow levels, severity of pain, and how symptoms impact daily life—missing work, skipping school, or inability to participate in community events.
Dr. Rockson advises patients to ask clear questions, such as, “Is it normal to have this much pain?” or “Could I be showing signs of something like endometriosis?” This empowers women to have constructive conversations and get the targeted care they deserve.
Bhom adds, “Use straightforward language when describing your experience—like, ‘I have severe cramps and my cycles are irregular.’ If you feel your concerns are being dismissed or not taken seriously, remember you’re entitled to seek a second opinion. Quality, empathetic healthcare is your right, not a privilege.”
Ending Menstrual Stigma Beyond Home and Clinic
According to Dr. Rockson, challenging stigma wherever it appears is critical for long-term cultural change. “When someone downplays period pain or says it’s not worth seeing a doctor, give them accurate information. If a friend, coworker, or schoolmate talks about period difficulties, validate their experience.”
Community advocates like Jos-based youth leader Faith Abdullahi suggest organizing peer support groups and utilizing social media to share honest stories, educate, and correct myths. Public figures and teachers can play their part by advocating for policies like paid sick leave for severe menstrual pain or mandatory provision of affordable menstrual products in public institutions.
Dr. Rockson further emphasizes the need for “period-friendly” workplace and school policies: “Making it easier for people to manage their periods, without shame or hardship, is essential.” In workplaces and universities across Africa, progressive steps include free sanitary pads in restrooms and flexible attendance for those experiencing severe symptoms.
Nigerian society is already taking steps forward, with local NGOs and student groups organizing pad drives, awareness campaigns, and public talks. While challenges remain, each conversation chips away at decades-old taboos.
The message is clear: By bringing private experiences into the public sphere, Nigerians—and Africans at large—can demand a future where menstruation is talked about as openly as any other part of life, whether in Yaba market, in classrooms from Port Harcourt to Kumasi, or in boardrooms from Victoria Island to Cape Town.
What’s your experience with discussing periods at home, school, or work? Have you noticed any change in attitudes in your community or workplace? Share your story or opinion in the comments below, and let’s keep the conversation growing.
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