Rukungiri Women Share Struggles with Severe Menstrual Cramps

Rukungiri: A section of women in Rukungiri Municipality have opened up about the challenges of dealing with severe menstrual cramps, also known as dysmenorrhea, which they say affects their daily activities. 

During an interview with our news reporter on March 26, in Rukungiri town, several women who preferred to remain anonymous shared their struggles, saying the pain usually begins at the onset of menstruation and lasts for several days. They revealed that most of them experience cramps in the lower abdomen and lower back, making it difficult to go about their normal routines. 

Among them, Faith Musimirwe and another woman who declined to be named bravely spoke out about their painful experiences. They described their monthly periods as a time of immense suffering, characterized by vomiting, extreme stomach sensitivity, and an inability to work. They added that the pain can be so severe that they struggle to eat and feel completely unwell. 

The women also noted that menstrual cramps affect different individuals in varying ways, with some experiencing nausea, diarrhea, fatigue, weakness, fainting, or headaches. 

CUE IN….VOXPOP WOMEN//RR

When contacted for a medical perspective, Agatha Kebirungi, a midwife at St. Carol Lwanga Hospital Nyakibale, explained the biological process behind menstrual pain. 

She noted that menstrual cramps occur when the uterus prepares for a potential pregnancy but does not receive a fertilized egg. This triggers hormonal changes, including the production of prostaglandins, which cause the uterine muscles to contract and relax, leading to cramps. 

Kebirungi advised women experiencing unbearable pain to seek medical attention and undergo a scan to rule out underlying health conditions. She also emphasized the importance of proper hygiene, including washing regularly with clean hands, to prevent infections. 

CUE IN… AGATHA // RR