Alade Omowumi, a 31-year-old Guidance and Counselling graduate of Adekunle Ajasin University, has appealed for financial assistance to undergo surgery for a congenital reproductive condition that has left her without a functional vaginal opening.
In an exclusive interview with The Punch Newspaper on Saturday, Omowumi said she began experiencing severe abdominal pain at the age of 15, with the pain recurring for four to five days every month. She endured the condition for about three years before seeking medical attention.
At a hospital, she was informed that she had been menstruating internally but that the menstrual blood could not flow out normally.
“When I eventually went to the hospital, the doctor asked if I had started menstruating. I explained that I had never seen my period, even though I experienced monthly abdominal pain,” she said. At 18, Omowumi underwent surgery. However, doctors discovered that her vaginal canal was absent and could not proceed with the initial procedure as planned.
She later underwent another operation to create a vaginal opening, but said the opening subsequently became too narrow to allow penetration. She attributed the poor outcome partly to her inability to use a dilator because of the severe pain she experienced after the surgery.
Omowumi also developed urinary incontinence following the procedure. She said urine began leaking uncontrollably after the catheter was removed, a problem she had not experienced before the operation. Her condition also affected her menstrual flow. According to her, blood occasionally came out for a few months before the flow stopped completely, resulting in the accumulation of blood in her abdomen.
“Whenever I went to the hospital, the doctors would drain the accumulated blood,” she said.
Omowumi said she was discharged from the hospital after her mother could no longer cope with the accumulating medical bills. She was reportedly sent home with a urine bag and advised to return for follow-up treatment.
After becoming dissatisfied with the outcome of the earlier surgery, she sought treatment at another hospital. She said doctors there explained that her bladder needed to be repaired and that another procedure was required to create a functional vaginal opening.
According to her, the treatment is being carried out in stages because of the complications from the earlier operation. She underwent her most recent surgery in September to address her urinary problem.
The next stage, she said, is intended to enable normal menstrual flow and sexual intercourse.
“I want Nigerians to please help me. I want to live a normal life, get married and have children of my own,” she said.
Omowumi said she had kept her condition private for many years because of the fear of stigma and public judgement. She eventually decided to speak publicly after becoming frustrated with her prolonged suffering.
“I cannot continue to suffer in silence simply because I am afraid of people’s reactions,” she said.
She said the public response had been mixed, adding that some of the comments she read online were painful. However, several friends who recently learnt about her condition expressed sympathy and encouraged her.
Omowumi said a foundation previously supported her treatment and that she currently had ₦500,000 for post-surgery care. However, she added that she had not received enough recent contributions and did not yet know the final cost of the next operation.
She appealed to individuals, organisations and the government to support her treatment, saying her ultimate dream was to recover, get married and have children.
“My dream is to get married and have children. I believe that, with the necessary treatment and support, I can have a better future,” she said.
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