My Period As A 22-Year-Old Marketing Strategist in Enugu
Period Diaries - Episode 4
Period Diaries is a 4-week series documenting the experiences of Nigerian women during their periods. Sadly, periods are still a taboo topic in Nigeria and the prices of period products keep rising while the quality keeps reducing. With Period Diaries, we hope to bring attention to the menstrual health of Nigerian women during Women’s History Month and highlight the work of organizations fighting period poverty in Nigeria. Last week, our diarist was a 25-year-old customer service representative in Lagos, who spent her early years using clothes for her period and spends 3% of her income on period products and care.
Today’s diarist is a 22-year-old marketing strategist in Enugu whose 6-day period end and begin with spotting. She describes experiencing heavy cramps, a waning sex drive, and a loss of appetite.
Occupation: Marketing strategist
Industry: Marketing
Age: 22
Pronouns: She/ Her
Length of period: 5-6 days
When did you get your first period?
In Jss (Junior Secondary School) 2, on April 22nd 2012. Lol, I can never forget that day or how it happened.
Period Expenses
How much do you spend on period products and period care every month?
About NGN 3500 for a pad, I prefer to buy the 16 - 32 in one pack. When I shop for new underwear, I use about NGN 2000. The sum total of that should be about N6000. I don't calculate for cravings and others.
Please, list the period products and services you use monthly and their costs.
Molped Pads (32 in 1) – NGN 3000.
Panties – NGN 2000.
Tracking app – Flo free version.
Painkillers and fruits – about NGN 3000
Total: NGN 8000
What is your monthly income and what percentage of your monthly income do you spend on your period?
I'm a freelancer so my income varies per month, but in the last months, I have been living on 50k monthly payments from a client. I pay 40% of my income to myself as my salary. From the 40%, I remove 50% to cover my needs like food, essentials etc. Most times, I buy the biggest package, so I don't have to cut down my monthly budget to renew my pads.
Have you ever received any education about periods from a teacher or family member?
Yes. I got an idea of what it was and what happens when you start seeing your period from my elder sisters and Mom. But I got better knowledge on the topic, including how to fix a pad from my teachers and my peers in secondary school.
Have you ever ever experienced or do you currently experience period poverty?
Not really. There are times I have been broke that it was hard to afford a good sanitary pad, like when I was younger and I just got out of secondary school until my second year of university. Around that time, I started looking out for myself and buying my personal items. So, I created monthly budgets for pads, skincare, and panties.
Have you ever experienced discrimination or harassment because of your period?
From women, nope. From men and boys, yes. Men and boys used to joke about it especially when they see you are on your period or you wear jean trousers to a party. They say things like "en be like say you go kill goat?" (The Nigerian way of saying you are on your period). I hate it so much.
Do you have any health or other condition that affects your periods?
Nope. Nothing of the physical health, but my anxiety disorder gives me sleepless nights.
Day One
It usually begins in the afternoon to evening time before the main day. It starts with a brownish-red spotting that isn't the main blood. I start getting prepared, change up and wear a pad if it is much and at night against the next day. I wake up around 3 - 4 am with heavy cramps, the cramps can be worse on day 1 or the days before (another sign I get that it is coming). I go back to sleep, till dawn. I shower and prepare for the day. I work from home so no need to take transport to work. This gives me the time I need to take care of myself and my heavy cramps (I stop work for the day).
Day 1 comes with heavy and crazy cramps 80% of the time, irritation, and cravings for junk but 0-1% appetite for a full meal. My flow is heavy on day 1. I crave physical touches like cuddles and hugs, but nothing sexual. I change my pads after 7 - 8 hours a day (morning, late afternoon and night – depending).
Day Two
Cramps are less painful. It’s a normal day. I wake up around 6:30 am on work and high energy days, and 8:30 am on low energy days. Day 2 is usually a low-energy day so I begin my day around 9 am. Nothing special. I still feel irritated with cravings. My flow on Day 2 is still heavy.
Day Three
On Day 3, my period flow reduces, and the cramps disappear. I am moving back to my high energy slowly so I begin to clear my tasks and stay productive. I regain my appetite for full meals. The horniness begins to awaken.
Day Four
I have a very light flow and no cramps. My days are going back to normal. I wake up at 6:30 am, do chores, eat, bathe and start work by 9 am. My mood on this day is self-critical and numb. I begin to blame myself for the most stupid things, including how I was not able to control my cramps and be productive... Lol.
Day Five
My period ends with spotting. I can still see blood spots at this time so I wear a lighter pad or a pant liner instead. No cramps, no cravings, just a normal day with a 30%+ high sex drive. I start making nasty plans with my partner if he is close.
Day Six
My period ends with tiny to 0 blood spots or anything. My vaginal discharge colour becomes normal. I become sexually alive!
Is there any period resource you would recommend?
Flo period tracker! I always advocate for this app on Twitter! I love love love it! I use it as a period tracker and I check out their free resources and courses on women's health (all kinds of women). I recommend it for young girls, single or married people, and non-binary people looking for resources to help improve their health, sex life, period life etc.