Sisterhood + the Painful Reality of Fibroids

“I remember the date, September 4, 2008–for me was a joyous day. Done having babies… My period was horrendous since high school–always a problem. It would last longer than two weeks and was super, super heavy…The doctors I was going to were old school male doctors and they were like ‘you are just stressed out' and I was like ‘NO, I’m just losing blood…I could be dying'. Once we were done having kids, I had my period for 10 months minus two days each month I didn't have it. SO that is a stress on your marriage and your body so when I was scheduled to have that hysterectomy, I was like 'thank you uterus, you have served me well and now it is time to go.”

Leah + Amy

Written by Rebecca

Inspired by Leah + Amy’s conversation in Episode 6 of Season 2 of the INTERWOVXN Podcast

This article is for educational purposes. The information is not meant to diagnose or treat a medical condition and does not replace the advice or care of your physician. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding your health and care plan.

We have realized that within the first 16 episodes of the INTERWOVXN podcast that fibroids have come up with FOUR different women. We wanted to dive deeper into what they are, risk factors, and signs and symptoms to discuss with your doctor and provide some resources for more reading on the most common non-cancerous tumor of the female reproductive tract.

Did you know that having a family member with fibroids increases your risk – if your mother, sister, cousin, aunt, or grandmother had fibroids, your risk of also experiencing them is roughly three times higher than someone who doesn’t have a history of fibroids in her family? And that black women, compared to white women, are 2-3 times more likely to develop fibroids? According to the Center for Uterine Fibroids, fibroids account for 1/3 of all hysterectomies in the United States.

WHAT ARE FIBROIDS?

Uterine fibroids (or fibromyomas, leiomyomas, or myomas as they are also called) are non-cancerous tumors made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in the uterus. It is estimated that as many as 60 to 80 percent of women will develop fibroids by the age of 50—however, some are small, do not cause issue or require treatment.

WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR FIBROIDS?

Age
Fibroids become more common as women age, especially during perimenopause (the years leading up to menopause).

Family History
Having a family member with fibroids increases your risk. If your mother, sister, cousin, aunt, or grandmother had fibroids, your risk of having them is about three times higher than average.

Ethnicity
Black women are 2-3 more likely to develop fibroids than other ethnicities and they tend to develop them at younger ages, to have bigger fibroids, to have more fibroids, and to experience more intense symptoms.

Vitamin D Deficiency
Studies have shown that low vitamin D levels in the blood are more commonly associated with the presence of uterine fibroids.

Obesity
Women with a high BMI (Body Mass Index) or who are 20% over their advised body weight are at an increased risk of uterine fibroids.

Other
Starting your period at an early age; having a diet higher in red meat and lower in green vegetables, fruit and dairy; and drinking alcohol may increase one’s risk of developing fibroids.


WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS? POSSIBLE CONCERNS?

As mentioned earlier, fibroids may be present without causing any bothersome symptoms or issues. Common signs of uterine fibroids include heavy or prolonged periods, bleeding between periods, abdominal or pelvic pressure and pain, frequent urination, constipation, low back pain, pain during intercourse, and difficulty getting pregnant. Complications can include anemia due to excess blood loss, infertility, miscarriage, and early labor.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT, TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR AND CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES:

Center for Uterine Fibroids
https://www.fibroids.net/

Resilient Sisterhood Project
https://rsphealth.org/uterine-fibroids/

The Uterine Fibroids Toolkit from The White Dress Project
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5f80a987752a263b9f0c5416/t/61afbf357360eb42f31b8075/1638907704573/SWHR-Fibroids-Toolkit-FINAL-2021Nov.pdf

7 Things to Know About Living with Fibroids
https://healthblog.uofmhealth.org/womens-health/7-things-to-know-about-living-fibroids

Understanding Racial Disparities for Women with Uterine Fibroids
https://labblog.uofmhealth.org/rounds/understanding-racial-disparities-for-women-uterine-fibroids

Fibroids and Fertility
https://www.reproductivefacts.org/news-and-publications/patient-fact-sheets-and-booklets/documents/fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/fibroids-and-fertility/


INTERESTED IN SOME NATURAL TIPS TO REDUCE YOUR RISK OR IMPROVE YOUR SYMPTOMS?

Self-Help Strategies for Uterine Fibroids
https://www.yinovacenter.com/blog/self-help-strategies-for-uterine-fibroids/

4 Ways to Improve Uterine Fibroid Symptoms Without Surgery
https://www.parsleyhealth.com/blog/uterine-fibroids-natural-treatment/