What They Don’t Tell You About a Woman’s Body

It starts slowly — a quiet ache deep in her belly.

It doesn’t scream; it whispers, slowly crawling up her back.

Her body, in its own way, is saying,

“It’s coming.”

She may feel bloated, tired, out of sorts.

Sometimes, she’ll cry without knowing why.

One moment, she’s calm, the next, she’s snapping.

It’s not being dramatic. It’s hormones. unpredictable, and real.

Her period arrives, predictable every month at a set time,

Or maybe not, because stress, food, illness, or emotions can throw it off.

That’s how connected a woman’s body is to every little thing.

And when it does come, it’s not just “blood.”

It’s pain, cramps, backaches, and tenderness in places she didn’t ask for.

It’s changing pads or tampons over and over, hoping it won’t leak.

It’s sleepless nights, checking the sheets for stains.

It’s a quiet plea: “Can you check my back, please?”

And yet — she continues.

She goes to work. She smiles.

She cooks, cleans, looks after others.

She sits in meetings, takes exams, and speaks in front of crowds.

All while her body fights an internal battle.

Some women barely bleed. Others bleed heavily.

Some may faint, throw up, or get migraines.

Yet, when they ask for a break, the response is always the same:

“But it’s just a period.”

No. It’s far more than that.

A pad with blood it’s not just “blood, its pain, cramps, backaches and more .

A woman’s body is capable of amazing things.

It can create life, nurture it, and give it sustenance.

It heals, endures pain, and keeps moving forward.

But society rarely talks about this.

Periods are hidden, pads passed discreetly like secrets.

Girls are taught to hide the pain,

to whisper about their bleeding as if it’s shameful.

And yet, they call women weak?

Let me remind you of this:

It takes strength to bleed every month and still carry on.

It takes strength to feel deeply and not lose control.

It takes strength to live in a body that changes constantly and still smile.

A woman is strong.

Not because she chooses to be,

but because she must be.

(C)boddobodes

By Aishatu Sali