By Sola Charles
Towards bringing the issue of uterine fibroids out of silence and into the limelight, the Sanitary Pad Media Campaign (SPMC), in conjunction with the Fibroid Care Centre, Lagos, held the My Period Stories Virtual Watch Party - a hybrid Pan-African conversation centered on the theme: Fighting Fibroid: the Non-Invasive Procedure.
which featured highlights of “My Period Stories with Funke Treasure”, Nigeria's first television-format podcast addressing menstrual stigma and reproductive health, medical experts, and clients among other speakers, called on the government, healthcare industry stakeholders, and civil society to drive the awareness promoting equitable access to non-invasive treatment options for fibroids.
Speaking at the forum, the Convener, My Period Stories Virtual Watch Party, Anikeade Funke Treasure, said the hybrid gathering marks a significant step in expanding public discourse and mobilizing cross-sectoral support for menstrual health.
Funke Treasure, who is also the podcast host, said, “The aim is to inspire deeper regional collaboration and sustainable systems that advance public health and dignity for women across the African continent.
“When we have a watch party like this, we're highlighting a particular episode or issue that we've treated within a season, and we're asking friends, stakeholders, and support groups to watch live.
“We dedicated four episodes of this second season to fibroids, titled it Fighting Fibroids, and we did four basic issues, so we thought we'd be the amplifier of these issues and be the bridge between those who are still in the closet and those who are willing to have open conversations.”
On his part, the MD/CEO of the Fibroid Care Centre, Lagos, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, said there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to fibroid treatment. We need to look at each woman’s aspirations, symptoms, and fibroid type to tailor her options.”
“The Fibroid Care Centre pioneered High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) in Nigeria and West Africa, offering a non-invasive approach that uses ultrasound waves to target and destroy fibroid tissue—without the need for surgery, anesthesia, or hospital stays.
“We are keeping the discussion about fibroids in the front burner because we know that fibroid is very common and not spoken about enough, what we are doing this to make people aware of the symptoms so that early diagnosis can be possible, and also to look at the various options available for treating fibroids and also to encourage research and funding for uterine fibroids.
“The major takeaway is that we've been able to learn more about fibroids and spoken to the people who have gone through treatment of uterine fibroids, and their experiences before and after. And we are especially looking at the psychological aspect of uterine fibroids and the impact on women who have fibroids."
Ajayi said part of the most important learning is the need to pay a lot of attention to the psychological well-being of women who have fibroids.
“There is no method that is a one-size-fits-all; you have to look at each woman because that's what we're trying to preach now that fibroids need specialized or individualized treatment. You need to look at what this woman does, what her aspirations are, what kind of fibroid she has, and then give her the options,” he asserted.
Funke Treasure is a pioneering menstrual health advocate, media personality, and grassroots mobilizer whose leadership of the Sanitary Pad Media Campaign (SPMC) has driven widespread awareness and action against period poverty across Nigeria and West Africa.
Her work spans media, youth empowerment, and policy engagement, earning her notable recognitions such as the 2024 Accenture Gender Mainstreaming Awards (triple category winner), TIBA Awards 2024 Social Impact of the Year, and the 2023 Girl Force Movement SHERO Award.
Through initiatives like the Media Mentoring Initiative, My Period Stories Podcast, and the My Period, My Pride radio drama, she amplifies menstrual narratives to combat stigma and promote equity.
Her campaign currently supports over 4,500 girls in 14 Nigerian states with monthly menstrual hygiene kits and school retention incentives.
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