Women on social media have taught me a lot more about the female anatomy in the past three years than any Biology class ever could. There is a presumption that as a woman, you must be completely knowledgeable about your body. This presumption frequently causes women to be oblivious of the health risks they may be facing on a daily basis and to forego seeking the necessary assistance because they believe it to be something that is normal and happens to all women.
Thankfully, women are becoming more open about their experiences with their bodies, particularly the least spoken about topics, and “uncomfortable” topics like menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, sex life and more. This movement toward freely sharing experiences is gradually educating me as well as several other women and girls on what is generally normal when it comes to womens' bodies.
The fact that "extreme period pain is not normal" is one of the many things I have learned from this social media takeover. In the different stages of my life, I have encountered women and girls who have had to endure excruciating pain which comes with their period, without being aware that this pain can in fact mean different health problems to do with their reproductive system. Most women and girls resort to just getting accustomed to their pain that they only take painkillers and never once think of visiting a gynecologist or seeking medical help.
This is just an example of how sometimes women might ignorantly choose to get accustomed to discomfort and pain that they end up viewing it as something normal. Of the few, that may have previously sought treatment at hospitals, were probably sent home with nothing more than painkillers and dismissed with statements like "it will go away as they get older, have more sex, or have kids."
When girls reach puberty, they are of course naturally aware of the changes that will occur to their bodies, but unfortunately, they only have a general understanding of these changes; the rest they get learn on their own. For instance, they might be aware that period can be painful, but they may not be aware of how much pain is thought to be normal or abnormal.
I would like to encourage women and girls to keep talking about their experiences, no matter how awkward or embarrassing these topics may feel. Additionally, I want to emphasize that if you sense something is off with your body, it probably is. Nobody should dissuade you from seeking help because someone else in your family or somewhere else has gone through a similar situation. If something is interfering with your daily functioning, let a professional examine it.
As for the medial professionals who help women and girls, they must seek to eradicate the prejudice and cultural stigma when it comes to women, their bodies and their reproductive system. Early diagnosis of diseases and problems affecting the reproductive system can improve quality of life and in fact, save lives.
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