It started when I was 13 years old. My first period, and immediately a struggle. What might have been an awkward moment for most girls felt like a personal disaster to me. From the very first month, I had intense abdominal pain. Not just “a little cramping,” but pain so severe that I literally doubled over. Back then, there was nothing but paracetamol, so I took large amounts just to somewhat ease the pain.
I remember being the only one in my class or at least among my friends who had such severe menstrual pain. No one seemed to understand what it felt like. While others just went on with their day, I was doubled over in pain or sometimes had to call in sick to school. That was my harsh reality. I really thought: what is wrong with me?
It was only later, when I started using the pill, that the pain became a bit more bearable. But it never fully disappeared. Sometimes it felt like my body just wouldn’t cooperate, even though I was doing everything I could to relieve the pain. What always came back were heavy periods and constant cramps. This ritual remained my monthly reality.
Now, as I’m in perimenopause, the severity of my periods seems only to get worse. The first two days of my cycle require a “diaper,” that’s how heavy the bleeding is. But, as always, I just keep going. I work, I function, I live on, because what else can I do? It remains a challenge to keep going, even when I feel awful.
The silence around menstrual pain is something I have struggled with for years. People often don’t understand how you feel. It’s not just “normal” discomfort; it’s a physical and emotional burden that you can’t simply brush off. The pain is there, the fatigue is there, and sometimes it feels like your body is working against you. Menstruation is often treated as something to just get through, while for many it’s a heavy burden.
Menstruation is not just an inconvenience; for many women, it’s an experience that profoundly changes their lives. It’s high time we talk about it openly and honestly.
Why I’m Sharing This
I’m sharing my story not to complain, but to raise awareness. To show that menstrual pain isn’t always a “normal” cycle. It can have serious consequences for daily life, from school to work, from mental health to physical health. I hope my experience encourages others to take their pain seriously and open the conversation about menstrual complaints whether at work, in the classroom, or at home. Women deserve not only recognition for the physical pain of menstruation but also for the mental struggle that comes with it and therefore deserve understanding and support.
Love,
Jennifer
