Reading Time: 3 minutes

Year of Publication: 2022

Genre: Memoir
Country: Nigeria

About the Book

In this short and powerful memoir, Olabimpe (Bimpe) Fapohunda-Dube narrates her lifelong struggle with Endometriosis. From her very first period at 13, she experienced excruciating, debilitating pain that halted her life in its tracks every single month.

She takes us through the heartbreaking journey of navigating the healthcare system, not being believed, being told it was “normal,” and being prescribed endless pain medication and treatments that never addressed the real cause. Being a woman and a mother to a girl, this one broke my heart. I cannot even imagine my daughter going through this. I have had troubled periods myself, extremely heavy and prolonged periods that I still struggle with today. However, mine have never been painful or ever stopped my life in its tracks. So Bimpe’s story is incredibly heartbreaking. 

This was the first book I read by an African woman detailing her journey with Endometriosis. And upon reflection, I don’t think I have read much about endometriosis at all, or even heard it discussed as Endometriosis. I can recall from my formative years a classmate who did not attend school whenever she was on her period. This was just brushed off as a painful period. Like it is something normal, something some girls have to endure. And reading Bimpe’s book now, I wonder if that’s what my classmate was going through. Bimpe was also told that what she was going through is a regular part of having a period, but she was misdiagnosed for so long.

After reading Bimpe’s short but powerful story, I went on to read another one, Scarred, Not Broken, by Wilika Ndilimke Frai from Namibia. Also detailing her story of living with endometriosis and later chronic illness.

Despite everything Bimpe has gone through, she remains hopeful. She refuses to let Endometriosis define her life, and she has taken her power back.

It’s a quick but meaningful read, one I recommend especially for anyone wanting to understand the realities of a condition that affects so many women and girls, yet is so widely misunderstood and misdiagnosed.

Brief key facts about Endometriosis:

As of October 2025, the World Health Organisation has provided the following key facts about Endometriosis:

  • Endometriosis affects 10% (190 million) of women and girls of reproductive age worldwide.
  • It is a chronic disease with symptoms such as:
    • severe menstrual pain
    • heavy menstrual bleeding
    • chronic pelvic pain (pain that continues beyond the menstrual cycle)
    • infertility
    • abdominal bloating and nausea
  • It most commonly occurs in the pelvis, but can also appear in the abdomen, chest, and other parts of the body.
  • It can significantly impact:
    • sexual intercourse
    • bowel movements
    • urination
    • mental health (including depression and anxiety)
  • The causes of endometriosis are unknown.
  • There are no existing treatments that cure endometriosis.
  • Current treatments focus on symptom management and depend on:
    • severity of the disease
    • individual preferences
    • side effects
    • long-term safety
    • costs and availability
    • Whether pregnancy is desired
  • Diagnosis is often delayed, and access to effective treatment remains limited in many settings.

Endometriosis is debilitating, painful and lifelong. Many women with it struggle with fertility and endure the loss of pregnancies. Women and girls around the world are having to pause their lives – taking time off work or school to nurse severe pain that they are often told is normal. More awareness needs to be raised about the condition.

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