Cowes, we have opened the conversation up about fertility and it looks like it’s continuing which was the goal, so yay! Keep challenging yourself and the people around you to have those uncomfortable conversations because they are so, so important.
Keep reading for some of the most eye-opening stats below…
Did you know that black women, especially at a younger age, suffer from fibroids 2 to 3 times more than white women? And for the most part, black women experience more severe menstrual cycles.
Yup, I didn’t know that either. I grew up thinking that my “Aunt Flow” monthly symptoms were totally normal and all a part of womanhood. The symptoms below have gone on for years:
- Heavy menstrual bleeding for more than 5 days
- Severe cramps
- Blood clots (the size of a toonie or bigger)
- Backaches, leg pains and/or a weird tingling sensation in my feet
- Low iron levels/severe anemia
Until it came time for me to conceive… My treating physician did an ultrasound to find the “aha” fibroid, 6 cm in size protruding right into my uterus.
So, what are uterine fibroids? They are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. Fibroids range in size from seedlings, to bulky masses that can distort and enlarge the uterus. You can have a single fibroid or multiple ones. In extreme cases, multiple fibroids can expand the uterus so much that it reaches the rib cage and can add weight. No, thank you!
They are more common than you think and for some reason, no one is talking about it! Well, Cowes we’re here to tell you that so many women have fibroids!!
It seems that the causes to this day are unknown, but some research points to hormonal imbalances, diets with refined carbohydrates and excessive weight gain.
So my unsolicited advice to you is; “go see your treating physician and ask for an ultrasound.” You can work out, change your diet, stress, and worry all you want, but actually checking allows you to take control of the situation in order to prepare for potential next steps.
Rest assured and don’t panic. There are solutions that I am sure your treating physician will tell you about. As for my journey, I can share what steps I took which may be unique to my size and location of the fibroids but I will share them regardless!
- I asked for an ultrasound
- I asked for a sonohysterogram
- I was transferred to a Fertility Specialist
- I saw a Fertility Naturopath for natural supplements to help control my hormone levels
- I went for acupuncture twice a week
- My physician prescribed Fibristal medication for 3 months only
- I underwent a hysteroscopic myomectomy surgery
At last! I finally have had some sort of symptom relief and my uterus is almost ready for this baby-making magic.
So, do you have fibroids? If so, not to worry you can sort it out now and take matters into your own hands as much as possible. Feel free to share your story with me too. I hear you, I see you and I’m here for you!
xx
Tina