“I’ve had cousins who’ve had to take out their wombs” — Toke Makinwa

Renowned Nigerian media personality, Toke Makinwa, has opened up about her struggles with fibroids, revealing that she recently underwent surgery to remove 13 fibroids from her body.

Makinwa made this revelation following the release of Stephanie Coker’s documentary titled “Where the Heck is My Period.”

Speaking candidly about her experience, Toke Makinwa disclosed that fibroids have been a prevalent issue among the women in her family, with some having to undergo procedures to remove their wombs due to the condition.

Reflecting on her own journey, Makinwa recalled growing up with noticeable symptoms such as a distended abdomen, irregular periods, and discomfort when lying down. She shared how these symptoms often led to misconceptions, with people frequently speculating about her pregnancy status.

“PCOS I haven’t had but I’ve had fibroids. Just watching the documentary, there are a lot of similarities between symptoms and the bloating. I remember when I started off in this industry and you had to host shows.

“I remember I had to wear like two waist cinchers or three waist cinchers because I was so tiny but I had a belly and people would always ask if you’re pregnant.”

Drawing parallels between her experience and the documentary’s exploration of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Makinwa emphasized the distressing nature of dealing with fibroids. She highlighted the anxiety-inducing aspect of excessive bleeding and the psychological toll it takes on one’s self-esteem.

“I’ve had cousins who’ve had to take out their wombs. It’s very daunting. It’s one of the most stressful things. I think one of the worst parts of it is bleeding excessively. I mean, I didn’t bleed for a hundred and something days, but I know about you just seeing your period when you’re not expecting it”

Expressing her gratitude for Coker’s documentary, Makinwa stressed the importance of creating a platform for women to openly discuss such health issues. She noted the relief that comes from realizing one is not alone in their struggles and the empowering effect of sharing experiences.

“I’m happy Stephanie Coker did this documentary because women can come together and talk about it. It does a lot to your self-esteem. You’re just nervous all the time. The anxiety levels are high. Eventually, when I got surgery, I had 13 fibroids taken out of me. Tiny me, thirteen.”