Talk True is a limited Zikoko medical myth-busting series. With each episode, we’ll talk to medical professionals about commonly misunderstood health issues to get actual facts.
We’ve heard so many things, both true and false, about vaginal yeast infections. So, we decided to sit with a doctor to get the lowdown on what’s really going on with vaginal yeast infections
What is a vaginal yeast infection?
A vaginal yeast infection is a fungal infection that occurs when the natural pH of the vagina is disrupted. Think of it this way: our bodies naturally contain a type of yeast called Candida. When the amount of Candida in the vagina is balanced, everything is fine. But certain factors can cause the yeast to multiply rapidly, leading to an infection.
How can one know she has a vaginal yeast infection?
Well, some of the symptoms include: itchiness in your vagina, redness and swelling of your vulva, an unpleasant or foul odour coming from your vulva, creamy discharge with the consistency of cottage cheese, a burning sensation when you pee, and some people report pain during sex.
Although some of these symptoms may resemble those of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), a vaginal yeast infection is not an (STI) or disease. One major difference is the thick, cottage cheese-like discharge, which is more characteristic of a yeast infection
In fact, you can get a yeast infection even if you’ve never had sex in your life.
But can it be cured?
Yes, it can. Vaginal yeast infections are treatable with anti-fungal medication prescribed by your doctor. Treatment options include oral medication, suppositories which you insert into your vagina or creams you apply. With consistent use, the infection typically clears up within a week. It is also best to abstain from sex during this period as sex can cause further irritation to your vagina.
A lot of people think antibiotics can cure a yeast infection, but it’s the opposite. Overusing antibiotics can lead to a yeast infection because they kill off the good bacteria that help your body reduce the multiplication of Candida.
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What increases my risk of getting a yeast infection?
Several factors can contribute to you getting a yeast infection, and these include
1) Wearing wet or dirty underwear
2) Using lubricants that are not water based
3) Changes in hormones during pregnancy, your menstrual cycle, or while on birth control
4) Unmanaged diabetes
5) Douching
With all these causes, why don’t more women have or talk about vaginal yeast infections?
Actually, it is more common than you think. About 75% of women will have a vaginal yeast infection at some point in their lives. This means, if you have a group of four women in a room, chances are that at least three of them have had a vaginal yeast infection.
Before we leave, do you have any fun facts for us?
Here’s one: If you have a yeast infection and your sexual partner is a woman, you can pass it on to her. If you didn’t know, now you do!
Trigger Warning: This story contains descriptions of medical trauma, coercion, and emotional distress related to egg donation. It may be upsetting to readers who have experienced similar situations or are sensitive to themes of bodily autonomy and exploitation.
Four years ago, Iyanuoluwa, 24, donated her eggs at a fertility clinic in Abuja, and she’s never been the same.
In Nigeria, egg donation is often sold as a safe, generous act to help a couple conceive and walk away with up to ₦500k.
But behind clean clinic walls is an underregulated industry quietly preying on vulnerable young women. With no clear national law governing egg donation, many clinics operate without transparency or accountability.
So, while the clinics rake in money from desperate couples, many egg donors, especially students and low-income women, are left to bear the cost of unmonitored hormone injections, rushed procedures, and life-altering complications.
After four years, Iyanuoluwa still struggles with hormonal imbalance, anxiety, a deep sense of loss, and lingering fear that her fertility may be compromised. Here’s a window into what really happens in some fertility clinics in Nigeria and the price vulnerable young women quietly pay.
This is Iyanuoluwa’s story, as told to Aisha Bello.
It was November 2021.
I was 20 and in my final year at a university in the southwest. I had over ₦180k in unpaid fees, and my parents couldn’t afford it. My dad had already taken a loan from work and couldn’t access another.
My school fees had been unpaid for a year and seven months, and it was clear my dad couldn’t get the money. He would have found a way if there was one, and it weighed heavily on him.
My mum always mentioned how he couldn’t sleep at night and how frequently they had to check his blood pressure.
It broke them, and it broke me, too. So, I took matters into my own hands.
I found the ad on Facebook. They promised me ₦180k
Egg donation ads were everywhere on Facebook, and girls talked about how easy it was. The agent I contacted told me I’d get ₦180k. Later, he said the Abuja clinic could only pay ₦140k. I didn’t care.
I just wanted out of my situation.
So, I joined a WhatsApp group with over 200 other girls. Most were from Benin and Port Harcourt, and some had donated more than once.
In November 2021, I travelled to the fertility centre in Garki, Abuja.
That trip altered my life forever.
I was a virgin. The procedure took that from me.
Something felt off the moment I arrived. We couldn’t leave the compound.
No visitors.
No noise.
And no freedom.
The injections started immediately. They injected us in the morning and evening every two days for the first week, then daily from Day 9 to Day 14.
They jabbed needles into the side of my belly, followed by constant vaginal scans.
They’d insert a long and thick instrument into my tight vagina to check out the eggs. The pain was excruciating, and even when I cried out in discomfort, the nurses often just shouted at me to “cooperate.”
Nobody cared that I was in pain.
After all the form-filling, endless tests, settling in, and being told I couldn’t leave, I realised there was no turning back. This was what I had gotten myself into.
Day 14 was egg retrieval day.
They sedated me with anaesthesia. Just before I passed out, a nurse in the facility — let’s call her Nurse Y leaned over and asked if I’d ever had sex. I shook my head and signalled no. I was barely conscious.
When I woke up, I was bleeding. I didn’t have my underwear on anymore and was alone in a private room.
I knew I had lost my virginity on that table during that procedure. Nurse Y later came in and apologised. She admitted they should’ve taken note.
Then she begged me not to tell anyone.
When the meaning sank in, pain and anger tore through me.
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They promised ₦140k. I left with ₦25k.
Two days after returning to school, Nurse Y called to say my eggs weren’t viable, so instead of the ₦140k I was promised, I’d only get ₦40k. The clinic didn’t pay me directly; they sent the money through her. Since I had borrowed ₦10k from her for transport, she deducted that, along with ₦5k for the agent who linked me. In the end, I only received ₦25k.
I was shattered, helpless and cried my lungs out. I sobbed like my world was ending because, at that moment, it was. Some girls went back to fight after being underpaid. But I didn’t even have the transport fare to go back.
What would I have said if I got there? That I was a virgin, and they took that, too?
The agent said it didn’t matter, that the procedure wouldn’t affect my virginity.
But it did.
While at the facility, some girls who had completed theirs before I arrived showed up and caused a scene. They were angry, claiming the clinic had deducted their pay.
When I asked Nurse Y what was happening, she explained that the clinic often deducted pay from donors who skipped injections or missed a day.
Apparently, donors had to sign a register every day for two weeks, and missing one day meant a deduction from their payment.
I didn’t miss a single day, and no one ever mentioned that I could be shortchanged if my eggs didn’t ‘meet their expectations.’
Inside the facility, there was a different category of older women who were undergoing the surrogacy process. Some of them were sent home because, as the nurses put it, their bodies or wombs didn’t “accept” the embryo that had been implanted in them.
We were raw materials to them
Most of the donor girls at the facility were my age or younger. One of the nurses even said, “This clinic pays more than the others. You girls are lucky to be here.”
It didn’t feel like luck. It felt like a factory. They injected us, scanned us, collected what they needed, and sent us off.
Some girls who lived in town were even encouraged to bring their friends for a commission. The more desperate girls they brought, the more they earned. It was a system — a business.
I still don’t believe my eggs were unusable. I responded well to the injections and treatments for the entire two weeks. They argued that my AS genotype could have been a factor. I don’t know how true that was.
In addition, I don’t even know how many eggs they took. I was unconscious.
But I remember the clipping pain near my clitoris. Even while under mild anaesthesia, I felt it, and the pain was sharp and unbearable.
I bled for two weeks. I thought I was dying
My next period after the procedure lasted two weeks. I had severe blood clots, cramping, and bloating that made it hard to walk. I thought I’d damaged my body and was dying.
When I called Nurse Y to voice my concerns, she claimed it was normal.
“It’s just your body reacting,” she said.
But I wasn’t okay.
So, I locked myself in my room for days, drowning in regret, anxiety, fear, anguish and a sense of loss. I didn’t eat for three straight days. On the fourth day, I forced something down when it felt like my soul was slipping away.
I still didn’t have the money to pay my fees and couldn’t write my exams. Everything I had done to solve the problem had made it worse, and I couldn’t tell anyone.
I started having suicidal ideations. I didn’t feel like myself anymore. It felt like I’d been taken advantage of and lost something I could never get back.
Socially, I withdrew. I was terrified my friends would find out and judge me.
Not being allowed to write exams shattered me even more. I blamed myself again and again.
Eventually, after a student protest, my school lifted the “no fee, no exam” policy. The protest shut things down for two months. This gave me the time I needed to heal. I went home to my parents.
When I got home, I worked part-time as a waiter, cleaner, and sometimes cashier at a restaurant. Thankfully, my boss paid my school fees under a written agreement that I’d return to work for him after exams. If I couldn’t, my dad would have to pay him back within three months.
He paid upfront, and my dad settled the debt after five months once his loan came through.
When school resumed, I wrote my exams and the ones I missed were also re-conducted for those who couldn’t pay earlier.
Lingering fears
Since they told me they couldn’t use my eggs, I’ve been stuck in a constant cycle of fear and panic, wondering if I’ll ever be able to conceive.
I don’t even know if they were telling the truth or just lying to me, but the statement hasn’t left my mind since.
The panic eventually eased. But the impact didn’t entirely go away.
I wasn’t in any relationship before, and I’ve not been in any after. I just can’t bring myself to try. Now, I have a constant fear of abandonment: that they’ll leave me once they find out what happened. They’ll think I’m damaged and walk away.
I’ve blamed myself several times for choosing that path and for trying to solve something that, in the end, was taken care of by my dad, with the help of my boss, just a few months into working.
And for losing something so important in such a cheap way.
Four years later, I still live with the consequences. My periods are irregular. My anxiety hasn’t left, and I haven’t told a soul in my family.
The worst part is that nothing has changed. Clinics like this still exist, still hunting vulnerable girls and silencing them with shame and fear.
I didn’t know any better. I just needed help, but what I got was trauma.
What Does the Law Say?
The National Health Act of 2014 is the only law that attempts to regulate egg donation in Nigeria, but it doesn’t directly address it. Section 53 criminalises the buying or selling of any human tissue, blood, or blood products, and since eggs are considered human tissue, this creates a legal grey area. Egg donation itself isn’t explicitly illegal.
There are no regulations or clear rules specifying who can donate eggs, how often, or what compensation is fair. As a result, many young women go through the process without proper counselling, medical support, or clear information, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.
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On June 11, 2024, Professor Akin Abayomi, Lagos State’s Commissioner for Health, issued a press statement that reported, confirmed, and warned about excess cholera reports in Lagos State.
Although the state government issued another official statement yesterday stating that the alarming gastroenteritis cases are contained, this is what’s been happening.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC)…
The data from the NCDC showed that from January 1 to June 11, 2024, Nigeria reported 1,141 suspected cholera cases, 65 confirmed cases, and 14 deaths across 96 local governments in 30 states. Ten states contributed 90% of the total numbers: Abia, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Katsina, Nasarawa, and lately Lagos.
The Lagos State’s cases
According to the surveillance reports, Prof. Abayomi (Commissioner for Health, Lagos) revealed severe cases in areas like Ikorodu, Kosofe, Eti-Osa and Lagos Island.
The casualties
The Lagos Health Commissioner’s report noted five deaths and nothing less than sixty hospital admissions.
Increased surveillance and investigation
The Ministry of Health Directorate of Environmental Health and the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency are alerted to investigate a likely water contamination source around Victoria Island and Lekki. These agencies have also taken in samples for confirmation.
Hotlines
Report suspected cholera cases in Lagos to the following emergency contacts: 08023169485 and 08137412348. You can also dial helplines 112 or 767.
Suspected cases in Ibadan
In a press statement issued on X on June 13, 2024, the Oyo State government reported two admitted suspected cases of Cholera from Lagos state in a private hospital in Ibadan. However, the state’s health agencies are on it.
Federal government’s intervention
The government has established a multi-sectoral National Cholera Technical Working Group that comprises the NCDC, Federal Ministries of Environmental and Water Resources, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), World Health Organizations (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and other partners.
Talk True is a Zikoko limited series for medical myth-busting. With each episode, we’ll talk to medical professionals about commonly misunderstood health issues to get the actual facts.
Like most things in our society, men and women have different experiences — relationships, even — with facial hair. For men, facial hair is usually associated with maturity and good looks. For women, the situation is different.
And more than a little odd
It’s not uncommon for people to claim that facial hair in women is a sign of masculinity, “wickedness”, and even infertility linked to hormonal imbalance. Are these claims based on scientific fact, or are they just myths? Dr Henrietta Quarshie provides answers.
What causes facial hair growth in women?
“I’ve heard the funniest beliefs about facial hair; how it indicates riches, wickedness, infertility, or that it means the women would beat their husbands,” Henrietta says.
Henrietta explains that there’s actually a medical term for this unusual hair growth.
“It’s called hirsutism, and it’s characterised by excess hair growth in women that occurs in a male pattern distribution: face, arms, chest, abdomen and back. The hair is usually excessive, coarse, curly, and pigmented. Hirsutism is quite common and mostly implies abnormal androgen (hormone) action.”
Androgens are hormones typically found in men but are also produced in small quantities in women. Abnormal androgen action, in this case, means that the hormone is produced at a higher level than it should be.
But before you get scared, not all facial hair is a sign of this condition.
“Some people are just naturally hairy. Sparse hair growth on the chin, for example, doesn’t necessarily indicate hirsutism.
However, we must note that some people might present with only facial hair in hirsutism, but it is often as described; excessive, coarse, curly and really dark.”
Is every woman with facial hair at risk of a medical issue like hormonal imbalance?
In a word, no. Henrietta explains further.
“Not all facial hair is related to hormonal imbalance, and it doesn’t indicate masculinity. But when facial hair is caused by hirsutism, the person has high testosterone levels. This doesn’t always represent a serious medical problem, but if it does, it’ll have to be investigated and managed.
Some serious medical problems that can cause hirsutism include adrenal gland disorders, ovarian tumours or Cushing disease.”
Sometimes, the cause of hirsutism is unknown. But Henrietta notes that there are certain risk factors for the condition.
“Obesity can influence the way the body produces and processes hormones. If someone in your family also has excess hair, you can have it too.”
“While facial hair can be a very emotionally distressing experience for most women, excess hair in itself is not harmful. The concern most women have is due to cosmetic reasons and appearance. However, it’s necessary to rule out any potential or underlying health issue,” Henrietta notes.
Do you need to see a doctor?
Henrietta emphasises that while it’s not always a concern, excess hair may need to be investigated.
“The clinician needs to confirm that the underlying condition that caused the hirsutism, if any, isn’t harmful to the person. For example, while facial hair growth doesn’t mean the woman has Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), it’s one of the commonest causes of facial hair growth. PCOS leads to ovarian cysts, which can lead to defective hormone production in a biological female and thus can cause fertility problems if not managed.
Whatever the cause, it doesn’t mean the patient is losing her femininity.”
Can facial hair growth be stopped or treated?
Yes. Depending on the cause of the hair growth, different strategies can be effective in its removal.
“Systemic therapy, like the use of oral contraceptives, can help to reduce the production of androgens. You can also go the mechanical depilation way via shaving, plucking, waxing or laser hair removal.”
The takeaway
Facial hair growth doesn’t make you less feminine and probably doesn’t indicate a serious medical issue. If there’s excess hair in other parts of your body, or you just don’t feel comfortable with it, please visit a doctor to rule out any underlying medical issue.
The next time someone says, “You have beards/a moustache? That means you’re wicked o”, feel free to hit them with the facts … Or just show them real wickedness.
Talk True is a limited Zikoko medical myth-busting series. With each episode, we’ll talk to medical professionals about commonly misunderstood health issues to get actual facts.
If you paid close attention the first time you heard the term “toilet infection”, there’s a high possibility it was in a danfo. It probably involved someone standing in one corner of the bus selling pills they swore were the solution to all your life’s problems.
Sigh
If it wasn’t a danfo, it was one of those loud voices that repeatedly thundered from hidden speakers in the market urging you to buy “Dr Iguedo’s Goko Cleanser” to clear the million toilet infections in your system. If you asked the danfo entrepreneur or the cleanser marketers about what the symptoms of toilet infections are, their responses would range from “itching in the vaginal area” to “watery smelly discharge” and even “infertility”.
But are toilet infections really a thing? What state must your toilet be in to “infect” you? Itohan, a general medicine practitioner, speaks on this.
What’s a toilet infection?
“Toilet infection is a layman — and often misleading — term for vaginitis,” Itohan says.
Google-trained doctors be like…
Vaginitis (or vaginal infection) is an inflammation of the vagina that may result in itching, unusual discharge and pain. It is usually caused by either one/or a combination of a bacterial or fungal infection, a change in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria, a sexually transmitted infection (like Trichomoniasis) or even menopause. And it’s actually a common medical condition.
“About one-third of women — especially those in the reproductive age — will have vaginitis at one point or another.”
But is it gotten from toilets?
The list of probable causes above doesn’t mention toilets, but I ask Itohan to be sure.
“No. It’s definitely not. A dirty toilet doesn’t lead to a vaginal infection. To know what might be causing inflammation, it’s important to look at the symptoms and more likely causes.
When due to a fungal infection, vaginal inflammation is caused by an overgrowth of yeast (a fungus called Candida). This type of vaginitis is called a yeast infection or vaginal candidiasis and is characterised by intense itching around the vulva, a burning sensation after sex or urination, thick white cottage-cheese-like discharge and general soreness.
Another type of vaginitis is bacterial vaginosis, and it’s typically a result of an imbalance in the normal vaginal bacteria due to factors like douching or unprotected sex with a new partner. The difference here is, this type usually comes with an abnormal offensive odour. Some people don’t even experience itching or any symptoms with bacterial vaginosis.”
While Itohan insists dirty-toilets-causing-infections are a myth, she admits irritants can upset the vaginal environment and cause vaginitis.
“We call this type non-infectious vaginitis, and it’s often caused by an irritation or allergic reaction. Some people will start to itch when they come in contact with chemicals from perfumed soaps, detergents or tissues. This is why your doctor will always advise you to clean the vulva with water and mild soap. Vulva, not vagina, please. That’s another recipe for bacterial imbalance.”
And definitely don’t do this:
learn to steam after your period with herbs like rosemary, cloves or just hot water. Sometimes cook hibiscus leaves, mint, cloves, ginger/garlic, lemon, together and drink. The V is self cleaning but pls wash your vulva. It is not. Treat UTI frequently if u always use public T's
As someone who’s seen several cases of vaginitis, Itohan understands the dangers of blanketing every symptom as a “toilet infection”.
“Most people attribute every itch or discomfort they feel to yeast or some toilet infection and just use boric acid to relieve the itching. But you need to know the actual cause if you want long-term relief.
Imagine treating vaginitis caused by trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection, with boric acid (which treats yeast infections). You’d get temporary relief but left untreated, trichomoniasis can last years and cause complications like premature delivery in pregnant women and poses an increased risk for cervical cancer.”
Even though vaginitis may be concerning, it’s not something to be too worried about.
“Whatever the cause of vaginitis is, it’s usually treatable. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. Don’t be scared to visit your doctor. It’s ten times better than relying on what Aunty A from Instagram said she used to treat hers.”
Know your body, babes
The first step to properly detecting and managing vaginitis is knowing your body well enough to observe when something’s off.
“Every woman has some form of vaginal discharge and smell. The discharge tends to change in consistency and quantity throughout the menstrual cycle. When you’re in tune with your vaginal health, you’d know when there’s a different odour.
For example, yeast infections are probably the most common type of vaginitis (after bacterial vaginosis), and it tends to reoccur in most ladies. A babe who’s had it before and is self-aware knows to watch out for factors that increase the risk, such as using antibiotics and birth control pills which may disrupt normal vagina flora, hormonal changes due to the menstrual cycle or pregnancy, or any condition that causes a weakened immune system. Again, most types of vaginitis are highly treatable.”
On treatment
Itohan emphasises that treatment is relatively simple and accessible, but the right diagnosis is key.
“Once a diagnosis is made by your doctor or healthcare provider, treatment will typically involve over-the-counter pills, creams or suppositories. A yeast infection requires antifungal medications, while antibiotics are the go-to for bacterial vaginosis. See why proper diagnosis is important?”
Preventing vaginitis is also very possible, and mainly requires some lifestyle changes.
“Avoid douching like a plague. Please don’t steam your vagina to make it ‘tight’. It may destroy naturally occurring bacteria in the vagina and lead to an infection. Avoid scented tampons or soaps. Change out of wet clothing as soon as you can. Clean your sex toys after every use. Use water-based lubricants, and of course, use protection with new sexual partners.”
If you have recurring vaginitis, please visit a doctor or healthcare provider.
In his eight years as a spine surgeon, Dr Mutahleeb Shobode has seen it all — from babies born with scoliosis to adolescents and adults who develop the condition over time. And one thing he’s noticed is Nigerians would rather waste time looking for who to blame than finding an immediate solution.
What exactly do you do?
I’m a consultant spine and arthroplasty surgeon specialising in spine deformity correction. I’ve been doing this for about eight years now, with five years dedicated to scoliosis and kyphosis.
What are those?
While scoliosis involves a sideways bend in the spine, kyphosis is quite the opposite. It’s a forward-to-backwards bend of the spine like you see in hunchbacks. Trauma, accident and diseases such as tuberculosis can lead to different deformities in your spine.
What part of the spine does scoliosis affect?
The curve could be in the upper, middle or lower back. Or everywhere at once.
How do you know you have scoliosis?
In most situations, friends and family of the patient usually notice the physical changes. A sideways bend of the back, hip bone sticking out or bump on the back, among other things.
But what are the causes?
The most common scoliosis cases in the world are idiopathic — that is, there’s no known cause. Even though it affects infants, adolescents and adults alike, it’s most prominent in people aged 10-18.
Is there a cure?
Yes, and it’s surgery. Let me add that exercise, yoga, physiotherapy, or drugs can’t cure scoliosis, nor can they stop the progression. Their only function is to help you deal with the pain that comes with it.
Oh wow. What about braces?
After a “bracing in adolescent scoliosis” trial was done in the UK, they noticed bracing worked on patients who were still growing. It helped delay the curve and assist in correcting the spine. But for adults way past puberty, the back brace has no use.
Okay. What type of surgery is needed?
A spinal fusion surgery. The curved bones of the spine are fused together in order to heal into a solid bone. The fusion usually involves using some type of bone material, referred to as bone graft.
Are there risks involved in surgery?
Of course, just like with every other surgery. Sometimes, there’s bleeding, allergic reaction to the anaesthesia and infections. But these are very rare instances. It’s like aeroplanes. Millions of people fly all the time. Even though there’s a possibility of a plane crash, it isn’t common.
Fair enough. Does age have anything to do with the risks?
Risks are not dependent on age but rather on the severity of the curve. So even though 45-50 degrees is the average determinant for surgery, if I see a 12-year-old who hasn’t started menstruation but already has a 40-degree curve, I’d recommend surgery. Because after puberty, the curve will grow rapidly.
Who’s the youngest patient you’ve had to perform surgery on?
A three-year-old baby girl. Her curve magnitude was 45 degrees, and her condition was congenital scoliosis — she was born with it.
Are there other types?
Oh yes. There are the congenital and neuromuscular types. Congenital scoliosis occurs during organogenesis — when the child’s organs are forming, and there’s a lack of proper formation of the spine.
From as early as two/three years, the child begins to bend. Because this affects babies in their formation stages, pregnant women are advised to attend antenatal, eat right, exercise, stay away from overcrowded places to avoid contracting viruses and avoid taking unprescribed drugs.
What about neuromuscular scoliosis?
You may have a heart, kidney or genitalia dysfunction, and scoliosis could be one of the symptoms. The easiest way to control this is through surgery.
What’s the most common misconception people have about scoliosis?
One thing I’ve continuously heard from patients and their families is that it’s a spiritual attack. So instead of finding a solution, they waste time pointing fingers in the wrong direction.
Scoliosis is just a condition. When you start noticing it, see a spine surgeon or orthopaedic doctor so they can measure and monitor your progressions.
How often do you suggest a visit to the doctor?
It would help if you got an x-ray every six months. Your spine grows at a rate of 0.6 degrees a year. With scoliosis, your back may eventually crumble. Regular x-rays will help you monitor and manage it.
Scoliosis happens when the spine curves sideways, and it’s common in childhood or early adolescence. For a condition that affects about 5.3% of the Nigerian population very few people know about it. So for Scoliosis Awareness, we’re sharing stories of real-life scoliwarriors.
For some people life throws curve balls. But for others, it’s a curved spine in the form of Scoliosis. This is the story of Ojimaojo, a 22year old who has been living with scoliosis for half her life.
This interview has been edited for structure and clarity.
How did you find out you had scoliosis?
When I was 11 years old, my parents used to think my walking posture was because I was trying to act like a baby for some reason. Because my spine was already curving to the right, I had a slight tilt to one side and walked at a slower pace. But then, I started to suffer backaches. After two years of increasing pain, no improvement in my walking posture and noticeable changes in my body — my shoulders were slanted, and I was bending to the right — we decided to visit a doctor.
After I got diagnosed with scoliosis, I became more inquisitive. I didn’t have a phone at the time, so I couldn’t really do my own research. I kept asking my doctor questions about what the condition meant for me and how it could be handled.
Questions like?
What the cause of scoliosis was, if there was a way I would have prevented it, what it would mean in the coming years or what my options for treatment were.
That was when I found out that the condition could either be inherited from birth, develop from an injury to the spine, or just appear from nowhere. And they provided two treatment options: a back brace or surgery.
Usually, the curves were measured in degrees, and since my curve was just about 20 degrees (you needed to be at about 40 degrees for surgery) and not affecting any of my vital organs, we opted for the back brace.
An image of the back brace
How did that go?
Omo, it was hard. Having to wear a brace was so uncomfortable and restrictive. I couldn’t bend or do any strenuous activity. And after a year of wearing it, I told my mum it wasn’t giving what it was supposed to give. It didn’t feel like it was doing much, and we had to seek a second opinion.
Which was?
We were referred to an orthopaedic hospital in Abuja, which referred us to a guy that made braces. He checked the brace I’d been wearing, and it turned out I had been using the wrong type the whole time. He said the one I was using was made for accident victims, not for someone with a case as idiopathic as mine.
Idio—what now?
Haha. It means a condition that has no known cause.
He gave me a Boston brace after, which actually worked in restricting my curve from growing, compared to the previous one. But after about a year, I told my mum I thought it had done enough and I wasn’t going to wear it anymore.
If it was working so well, why did you stop?
I feel like it had done what it was supposed to do. And the discomfort was too much. Imagine having to wear them for at least eight hours daily. That was basically from when I woke up until the close of school. On some days when it got overwhelming, I took it off in class to allow my back breathe.
Isn’t the brace something you wore under your clothes?
Lol, yes, it is. But it was an all-girls school too. So I’d sneak to a corner and have one of my friends on the lookout while I took it out. On one of those days, I got into trouble with the vice principal, and to date, it’s one of the worst experiences living with scoliosis.
What happened?
The whole class had gotten into trouble for noise-making. So when the vice principal asked the entire class to kneel, I just crouched beside everyone because I technically couldn’t kneel. When he noticed, he got upset and even when everyone tried to tell him that I had a condition, he didn’t listen. He walked up and gave me two heavy slaps on my back.
Your back? OMG
I literally just froze. I can tell he started to feel remorseful afterwards because he asked me to stand up. I couldn’t blame him for not knowing about my condition. With over 900 students in the school, there was no way he’d know about everyone.
That’s awful. Having to deal with secondary school and scoliosis could not have been easy
It wasn’t always so bad, to be honest. I went to a boarding school, so I spent most of my time there. And because my seniors knew about my condition, I was usually exempted from strenuous chores and punishments. But that may have fuelled the negative comments I got. One person once said my back looked like a “C”.
Considering secondary school was six years ago, what’s different now?
I’ve gotten really comfortable in my skin. And it’s become easier for me to spot people with the same condition. I’m not a professional, but I’ve tried to help people in the best way I can by providing them with directions and things to look out for.
That’s awesome. So it’s smooth sailing from here?
For the most part, yes. However, I had to visit the doctor earlier this year, in May. The pain had started to get more frequent again, and I couldn’t work for long hours without feeling the need to lie down. The doctor said the curve had reached its peak and would no longer be growing. So he prescribed some painkillers.
Is there anything you think scoliosis has stopped you from doing?
Not really. It’s not a deformity but a part of me that I’ve accepted. So, I’m good. I still have my back brace, though. It’s just in my wardrobe as a memento.
Thousands of Nigerians live with Alzheimer’s Disease, and a good percentage of them are undiagnosed. You’ve probably heard people say Alzheimer’s is the same thing as dementia. This isn’t true. Yes, Alzheimer’s and dementia are related, but it’s only because Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia.
A few facts
Alzheimer’s isn’t a result of ageing. It’s actually a disease.
Anyone can get the disease, but it’s more common in people above 65 and people with family histories of Alzheimer’s.
The symptoms start slow, and worsen with time.
Doctors can look at symptoms and conclude a person has Alzheimer’s, but can never be sure until after a person dies and they look at their brain.
People experience the disease differently. Some live longer, with little cognitive damage, while others experience a quick onset of symptoms and rapid disease progression.
What does having Alzheimer’s look like?
You might forget things a lot, but it doesn’t mean you have Alzheimer’s. These are the major symptoms people with Alzheimer’s show:
Memory loss. This gets worse over time.
Trouble doing simple tasks, like turning on a gas cooker
Inability to solve simple daily problems
Trouble with speech or writing
Becoming disoriented about time and places
Mood swings and withdrawal from friends and family
Poor personal hygiene
How can you prevent Alzheimer’s?
Because scientists haven’t put a pin on the exact cause of the disease, it’s difficult to say how to prevent it. But here’s what they recommend:
Protect your head: Avoid activities and sports that put your head at risk of being hit. Constant head trauma could lead to Alzheimer’s.
Keep your brain challenged: Apparently, people who remain intellectually and socially active are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Learn something new, read a book, go out.
Stop smoking, and reduce alcohol.
Eat a lot of fruits and vegetable, and less red meat.
Exercise.
Go for regular checkups.
Could you be at risk of having Alzheimer’s?
Again, experts don’t know the specific cause of Alzheimer’s, but they advise people to be watchful and talk to their doctors if:
They’re above 65
They have a family history of Alzheimer’s
They smoke
They have depression
They have a cardiovascular disease
They’ve had a traumatic head injury
Alzheimer’s is in stages
According to experts, these are the stages someone with Alzheimer’s will go through.
There’s no specific treatment for Alzheimer’s, but doctors prescribe medications to slow the progression of its stages. People with Alzheimer’s need a lot of love and care around them.
In 2021, I lost a lot of weight and my life changed.
I lost 37kg in less than a year, and till now, I can’t believe I did it. I’d been trying to lose weight for the longest time, but I’ve always struggled. Last year was when I actually started to see changes. What worked for me? Consistency with my workouts and intermittent fasting.
But I took intermittent fasting to an extreme level and wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. I’d begin eating at 11 a.m. and stop at 4 p.m.; the next time to eat would be the next day at 11. I didn’t want to feel the hunger pangs from having dinner so early, so I would go to bed at 8 p.m.
If I could go back, I’d do things a bit differently because restricting myself that much caused me to start binge-eating in 2022.
2022 has been a tough year for me in terms of my fitness lifestyle. I’ve added significant weight (10kg), struggled with consistency at the gym and been really awful with my diet. Gaining some of the weight back after doing so well the previous year made me really depressed as well.
I didn’t show it, but internally, I was extremely sad and disappointed in myself because I shouldn’t have allowed myself fall that far back. It didn’t help that everyone kept telling me I’d added weight, every five seconds. All this made me start extremely rigid diets that didn’t make the situation better.
I initially blamed my weight loss on work stress and relationship weight. But I knew it was due to my eating habits. I was eating like a child who’d been starved for the longest time and was so happy to see food. I’d enter the kitchen, eat cereal as breakfast, and two slices of bread cause I felt like it.
Then I’d tell myself, “maybe I should eat bread and egg.” That’s how I’d end up eating a full day’s meal in one hour. And it continued like that throughout the day. After eating that much, I hated myself; I felt disgusted to the point where I couldn’t look at my body in the mirror, and I’d call myself all sorts of names.
One thing about me, I would always research. I knew my eating habit wasn’t normal so I had to figure out what the problem was. I researched unhealthy eating habits online and asked questions, but I kept seeing and hearing the same thing: “You just need to eat healthy,” how helpful. One fateful day, I was scrolling through TikTok when I discovered someone who talked about her binge-eating disorder.
I could relate to everything she was saying; it was as if she was me and I was her. I went deeper and discovered her Youtube channel and a book she wrote; I read and watched everything. I’m not sure I have her disorder because I haven’t sought a professional yet, but at least, I feel closer to an answer than I did before.
What I learnt from reading about the binge-eating disorder
I’ve learnt so much from reading about binge-eating disorder, and it has, to an extent, affected my eating habits positively. I’ve learnt that:
Intermittent fasting and other restrictive forms of dieting aren’t good. When we place restrictions on what we can and can’t eat, our brains start creating compulsions and obsessive thoughts. At some point, we cave and it becomes extreme.
Feeling guilty after eating isn’t normal, and it’s one of the first signs of an unhealthy eating habit. If you do this, you’ll be unhappy when you don’t get the desired results and this can lead to bigger problems such as depression and low self-esteem.
Counting calories, consistently obsessing over the scale and cutting out foods, can turn into unhealthy habits. Don’t starve yourself or eat a tiny portion of food just because you ate too much the day before.
Never put yourself under pressure when it comes to weight loss. Don’t say things like, “I need to lose 5kg in one month.” Just focus on your workouts and healthy eating habits. Don’t rush; it’s a marathon, not a race (Sounds cliche but it’s true).
No food is bad food. What’s most important is finding a balance. So please, don’t say you won’t eat that slice of bread because it’s “unhealthy”.
Workout to be fit and strong, not just for weight loss (This is a tough one for me).
Now that I’ve discovered that binge-eating can actually be an eating disorder, I’m thinking of seeking a professional. But I’ve also been doing some ground work on my own, trying to change my eating habits, and so far, it hasn’t been too bad.
I still struggle with binge eating; it’s not something you can just stop immediately, but you can make an effort. I guess this is where professional help comes in. Once in a while, I fall back into my restrictive dieting ways and try to lose a lot of weight in an unhealthy amount of time. Like two weeks ago, when I tried to lose 4kg in two weeks. I wore a dress that was my size at the beginning of the year, and all of a sudden it was tight. This instantly triggered my need to lose weight fast. I felt like I was about to pass out from killing myself at the gym and not eating.
The good thing is I’m learning from my mistakes. Right now, I’m staying away from the scale and just focusing on cardio and weight training, while finding a balance in my diet. Wish me luck.
I recently just discovered sperm donation in Nigeria, and I think more people need to know about it. And no, you can’t just walk into a sperm bank, donate sperm, get money, and go. It’s not as easy as you think. Here’s all you need to know.
What is sperm donation?
Mayo Clinic says it’s a “procedure in which a man donates semen — the fluid containing sperm that is released during ejaculation — to help an individual or a couple conceive a baby.”
A sperm donor doesn’t have to be a stranger. Sometimes, couples use a known donor such as a friend or relative. But that may complicate the process as you’ll have to pay close attention to the psychological, ethical, and moral issues involved.
Requirements
Not just anybody can walk into a fertility centre and be a sperm donor. First things first, to qualify, you’ll undergo a series of tests.
Physical tests: You’ll have to do a complete physical and genital examination, checking for urethral discharge, genital warts and ulcers. You’ll be screened for infectious diseases like syphilis, Hepatitis B and C, HIV and gonorrhoea. If you become a regular donor, you’ll have physical exams every six months for as long as you’re donating.
Genetic screening: Next, tests will be carried out to find out if you’re a carrier of any genetic or inherited diseases. You’ll be screened for conditions such as sickle cell anaemia, high blood pressure, diabetes, or any type of cancer. They’ll run very extensive tests at this stage, so be ready.
Semen test: Yes, that’s right. For this one, you’ll be asked not to ejaculate for 48 to 72 hours (it varies for different centres). If you’re a smoker, you’ll be asked not to smoke for a week. These restrictions are so that your sperm can be analysed properly for quality, quantity and motility. You will need to provide samples of your semen after the stipulated hours.
Personal and sexual history screening: Here, you’ll be asked questions about your daily activities, hobbies, habits, education, etc. They’ll also ask about your sexual history: interests, drug use, etc.
Mental screening: Some centres go deeper to find out if there’s any history of mental disorder, acquired or genetic.
Age: It varies for different centres, but the average age range for donors is 18 to 40 years old.
You go into a private room and ejaculate into a cup. Once you’re done, the sample will be frozen and stored in quarantine for at least six months. Then, you’ll be re-tested for infectious diseases, particularly HIV. If all of the tests come back negative, your frozen sample will be thawed, and the quantity, quality and motility will be assessed again. Some men’s sperm samples are more prone to damage during the freezing process than others.
Counselling and confidentiality
When it comes to sperm donation, counselling is essential. Most of the time, you’ll be asked to waive all rights to the donated sperm and the identities of the recipients. Confidentiality is ensured both ways; your identity will not be revealed either. Before signing the consent form, it’s important to ask questions so you’re aware of all the terms and conditions.
How much does it pay?
Hospitals and fertility centres pay differently. Some don’t pay at all, while others pay between ₦30k-₦50k per donation. Payment is intended to compensate you for your time throughout the process and should not be the main incentive for donating. That’s why the amount is typically low.
Where can you donate sperm?
There are a number of hospitals and fertility centres across Nigeria where you can go to donate sperm. Just do proper research to find a good one close to you.
