My Period As A 25-Year-Old Customer Service Provider in Iju Ishaga, Lagos
Period Diaries - Episode 3
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’s diarist was a 23-year-old content writer whose period came 10 days late, bringing intense cramps, diarrhoea, and a craving for cold drinks.
Today, our diarist is 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.
Occupation: Customer Service Provider
Age: 25
Pronouns: She/ Her
Length of period: 7 days. I have a heavy flow only for three days and have my periods for seven days before it stops.
When did you get your first period?
At the age of 13.
Period Expenses
How much do you spend on period products and period care every month?
I buy one pad in a month at the rate of NGN 600. But it was NGN 250 before and it increased because of the economy.
Please, list the period products and services you use monthly and their costs.
My Lady care pad is sold for NGN 600.
What is your monthly income and what percentage of your monthly income do you spend on your period?
My monthly income is NGN 20,000 and I spend up to NGN 600. That is 3%.
Have you ever received any education about periods from a teacher or family member?
Yes, firstly from my mother, my teacher and online. The main lesson I learned about periods is to be clean during this time.
Have you ever ever experienced or do you currently experience period poverty?
Personally, I have experienced period poverty since I started my period. I was advised by my mum to use clothes because I couldn’t afford to get a sanitary pad. I think I started using a pad when I was in Senior Secondary School. That was when I was able to afford pads because I was saving part of my money to buy them. As women, we need to be able to buy pads. However, when women can not afford pads because of poverty, then the government and non-governmental organizations should come in to help out. The female gender should be protected in times like this.
Have you ever experienced discrimination or harassment because of your period?
Yes. When I was using clothes according to my mum’s suggestion because she can't afford to get me pads, I noticed that there was a bad smell coming from the clothes unlike when I was using pads. Even playing and mingling with my friends then was something I would not do to avoid insults. But here I am now, doing fine with my pads. Buying pads every month is something I don't like because my salary is just a tip. It is not enough but I am still cool with it.
Do you have any health or other condition that affects your periods?
Not at all.
Day One
Most times, I get my periods at work, when I am not prepared. Usually, I am not with my sanitary pad or anything. I work as a customer service provider and so, I keep checking the time to know when I would be closing for the day because I am not comfortable.
I often feel sharp pains in my lower abdomen and nothing more. I usually have mood swings as well, but I try to keep them low because of the customers. On my period days, I always close early so that I can clean up. I typically get pads on my way home but I have the unused one from last month.
Day Two
The flow on the second day is always heavy. So I always come to work with extra pads in my bag. I do not have mood swings, and I have no stains until maybe in the afternoon. I may change sometimes if needed because of the pad. I can't afford to buy two packs of pads in a month.
When I get home, I clean myself up and I am good to go. On midnights, I am not always comfortable especially when I need to pee. I always feel some pain in my anus sometimes but I will be fine eventually.
Day Three
The third day is largely uneventful. I have no heavy flow on the third day, and have no mood swings at all till the next day.
Day Four
On the fourth day, I always have the best time of my period because I only have small stains on my pad. And I will change when I get home too. I am always clean because my husband hates to see blood anywhere, especially on bedspreads. So I am always extraordinarily careful.
Day Five
On the fifth day, I had no stains. I just had a little blood on my pad. Like the fourth day, it is always the best time in my period days.
Day Six
On the sixth day, I experience another heavy flow before the last day of my period. Today, I am not feeling too well but I didn't have mood swings. I don’t have mood swings sometimes. Getting changed when I get home is the best option for me but all was cool after I cleaned up.
Day Seven
The last day of my period is the best day. I had no stains at all. I am always cool, fresh and happy. I have finished my period for the month until the next month. My best day ever!
Is there anything you’d like to add?
I am a married woman with a kid. I am happy to be a woman, and a mother as well. My periods are always the best. I hardly feel cramps. No pain at all - only on my lower abdomen. I am always careful on my period days to avoid stains at work or at home. I mind the way I sit, it even affects my interactions with people sometimes. My husband is not okay with my periods. But, he respects my period times a lot.