South Africa: Young Women in North West Live With Fibroid Pain As They Wait for Treatment for More Than a Year
[Health-e] 25-year old Tiisetso Lekgetho experiences painful periods with heavy bleeding that keeps her home two or three days a month, unable to look for work or go about her normal life.
In the North West region of South Africa, young women are enduring painful menstrual periods due to fibroids, often waiting more than a year for surgical treatment. Tiisetso Lekgetho, a 25-year-old from Tsetse village outside Mahikeng, has experienced heavy bleeding and debilitating cramps that force her to stay home for up to three days a month, preventing her from seeking employment or engaging in daily activities.
Lekgetho has been awaiting surgery at Bophelong Provincial Hospital since last year, with her procedure now set for 11 November. The prolonged wait has taken a toll on her physical and mental health, as the pain and bleeding persist daily. Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that can cause heavy menstrual flow, pelvic pain, and bladder issues.
Research from Eswatini has shown that women with fibroids face physical, psychological, emotional, and social challenges beyond the typical symptoms, including missed work and social activities, and concerns about delayed diagnosis and surgery. Lekgetho first sought medical attention in October 2024, after experiencing lower abdominal pain, painful periods, frequent urination, and fatigue for nearly a year.
She was diagnosed with fibroids in November 2024 and placed on a waiting list for a myomectomy, a procedure to remove the fibroids while preserving the uterus. Despite returning to the hospital multiple times, Lekgetho's surgery has been repeatedly postponed due to staffing shortages and emergency cases. Lekgetho, who is unemployed and receives a small monthly grant, has resorted to using traditional remedies, such as herbal concoctions and "womb tea," in addition to pain medication provided at the hospital.
The North West Department of Health has been criticized for its handling of the situation, with multiple operations canceled in April and May 2025 due to staffing issues. However, the department has not provided updates on the current surgical waiting list or the resolution of the staffing problems.
Written by urgent.news from Health-e News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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