Fibroids: Black History Month
- thehealthpalette
- Feb 20
- 5 min read
This month is Black History Month (USA and Canada) so we wanted to take the opportunity to focus on health issues that affect the black community more than others. This week, we will be talking all about fibroids.  Fibroids are non-cancerous tumours that grow in the womb. Fibroids affect black women in significantly higher portions than other races. According to the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence fibroids occur in over 80% of black women up to the age of 50.
Fibroids most commonly affect women of reproductive age, therefore their development is likely due to hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone. The exact reason why black women are more likely to get fibroids compared to other women is unknown and many ideas have been suggested such as the types of foods we eat or the use of relaxers in our hair.
Much more research into fibroids is needed and whilst this work is being done, we want to make sure that women suffering from fibroids receive the help they deserve.
Fibroids cause symptoms such as:
There are three types of fibroids, defined by their location:
1. Subserosal Grow on the outside surface of the womb May cause pressure type symptoms such as needing to urinate frequently and constipation 2. Intramural The most common type of fibroid Grow in the muscle wall of the womb May cause symptoms such as heavy bleeding and pain 3. Submucosal Grow inside the womb May cause significant heavy bleeding, pain and difficulty getting pregnant
Sometimes fibroids can grown on a stalk attached to the womb. These are called pedunculated fibroids.   |
Fibroids are treated in a number of ways. The treatments listed here are for information and should not replace any health or medical advice given to you by your own healthcare professional.
Firstly, no treatment. Some women may not require any treatment, especially if their fibroids are not causing any problems.
Next, medication. This may include a device that is inserted into the womb called a Levonorgestrel Intrauterine System (an example of this is a mirena coil) that contains a small amount of a hormone called progesterone that helps to thin the lining of the womb and reduce bleeding.  Tablets such as tranexamic acid, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or the contraceptive pill can also be used to reduce bleeding and may be offered to you.
Certain medications shrink the size of fibroids. They are effective but it is really important that you speak to a specialist gynaecologist to see whether or not you are suitable for these medications as they have side effects such as stopping your periods (but do not affect your chances of getting pregnant after you stop taking them) and can cause menopause type symptoms. Non-surgical procedures. Uterine artery embolisation is a non-surgical procedure that can treat fibroids. This procedure involves blocking blood vessels that supply fibroids, therefore shrinking the fibroids. Again, speaking to your doctor about whether you are suitable for this procedure is vital.
Surgery is another option. This may include a procedure called a myomectomy where the fibroids are removed from the womb or for some women, for example women who have completed their family or do not want children, taking out the womb in a procedure called a hysterectomy might be more appropriate.
Fibroids can lead to complications if not managed appropriately.
For example, did you know that heavy bleeding can cause anaemia (low blood levels|) which can have several effects such as making you feel tired all the time, short of breath and can even cause hair loss. Check out our article on fibroids and hair loss in Issue Two of our magazine (link below). Fibroids can also lead to difficulty getting pregnant as they can distort the shape of the womb as well as miscarriage and pain during pregnancy. Getting the right diagnosis, support and treatment is therefore essential.  We know too well the difficulties women face in receiving a diagnosis, their symptoms being ignored or being offered inappropriate treatments, especially as women with fibroids ourselves and as women that treat women with fibroids on almost a daily basis.
Venus Williams (pictured below), recently opened up in Essence about how her symptoms of fibroids were ignored for almost 30 years, how this affected her tennis career and how on one occasion a health professional “joked” about her fibroids being a “natural birth control.”
Lupita Nyong’o also recently shared her debilitating experience with fibroids and is working with Foundation Women's Health in the USA to fund a research grant into the development of new treatments for fibroids.  At The Health Palette, we want you to be able to advocate for yourself in health spaces, so here are a few tips to help you get the correct diagnosis and treatment:
Seek Help If you are experiencing any symptoms of fibroids, be sure to go to your doctor, especially when you feel something is not right Get Treatment Your doctor might suggest a treatment listed above but if these are not working for you, don’t hesitate to go back to your doctor and ask for either a different treatment, a scan or for a referral to a specialist gynaecology doctor
Symptom Diary When you go to the doctor, bring a diary of the symptoms you are experiencing. This gives you a clearer understanding of what is happening to your body and also means that your doctor will have a better idea of the right treatment for you  Your symptom diary should include:
Seek a Second Opinion Don’t be afraid to ask for a second opinion - after all, certain doctors may have more experience in fibroids therefore might be able to suggest more appropriate treatments for you Knowledge is Power Once you are diagnosed with fibroids, don’t be afraid to ask about what type of fibroids you have, what treatments are available and how fibroids might impact your future (for example your fertility plans)
As women, we should not have to suffer through the effects that fibroids can have on our lives, believing this to be normal. Don’t suffer in silence.
You deserve better, The Health Palette |
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