Black Women and Reproductive Health

Dreading the onset of your menstrual period? Experiencing abdominal bloating, pain and heaviness? Are you having unexplainable pain during sex? Multiple miscarriages? Infertility? 

All of these are common symptoms reported by women suffering from uterine fibroids. It has been estimated that up to 80% of women of child bearing age could have uterine fibroids, sometimes without having any symptoms! 

Black American women are at an even higher risk for developing the benign tumors, for reasons we have not completely identified yet. 

Uterine fibroids are growths of muscle tissue within the uterus.  They can grow within the uterine wall (intramural), inside of the endometrium (submucosal)-which is the inside lining of the uterus, on the outside of the uterus (subserosal) and lastly, they can grow pedunculated (on a stalk), attached to the uterus. 

Most women that find themselves with a diagnosis of uterine fibroids, are often diagnosed by a physical exam and/or ultrasound.  Even more importantly, once a diagnosis is made, most want to know how or why did they develop in the first place. 

Though we have not yet pinpointed causation, we can comfortably say that it is likely multifactoral. Diet, weight, race, genetics,vitamin/mineral deficiencies and environment all play a role. 

In times past, the standard treatment for fibroids was usually having a hysterectomy or removal of the uterus. Now, we have various options including a myomectomy, which is the removal of the fibroid(s) while retaining the uterus, drug therapies to shrink the size of the growths,  endometrial ablation for heaving bleeding, uterine artery embolization which cuts off the blood supply to the fibroid(s) with hopes for shrinking them and ultrasonic myolysis which involves dissolving the fibroid with ultrasound technology. Treatment options are constantly evolving. Women have options to keep their uterus if they so desire. 

Uterine fibroids are one of the most common gynecological conditions, especially amongst Black women. 

If you find yourself having any life altering or debilitating symptoms, it’s time to speak to your physician about your options. Having to wear adult diapers during your period is not normal, nor is pain during sex or abdominal pain in general. That’s no way to live. 

With today’s advances in treatment, you’ll surely find an option that fits with and respects your desires and lifestyle.