Historically speaking, Black women have been the center of discourses when it comes to uterine fibroids. There is no denying the clear health disparity when considering the unfortunate fact that Black women develop fibroids from an earlier age and get bigger fibroids at higher rates, while also suffering from more intense symptoms.
This also makes you more susceptible to being faced with complications with pregnancy, delivery, and maternal health.
Today BlackDoctor.Org is here for you with a comprehensive guide for Black sisters seeking knowledge and support when it comes to fibroids and fertility.
How Can Fibroids Affect My Pregnancy?
Uterine fibroids can impact fertility in several ways. If fibroids get larger and cause blockages between the uterus or fallopian tubes, they may make it more difficult to get pregnant. They could also come with other negative effects on pregnancy like:
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- Raised chance of miscarriage and preterm labor
- Abnormal attachment of the placenta
- Increased probability of delivery by cesarean section
- Postpartum hemorrhage
RELATED: Fibroids and Pregnancy Loss: Breaking Through Despair, And Finding Hope
How To Reduce Fibroid Symptoms to Encourage Maternal Health
For certain women with uterine fibroids, a hysterectomy or myomectomy is a highly suggested treatment. However, hysterectomy or myomectomy may not be the right fit for everyone.
UFE (uterine fibroid embolization) is a highly effective non-surgical treatment option for women who have symptomatic uterine fibroids. This includes women who are not candidates for a hysterectomy or myomectomy. UFE gives you a less invasive alternative.
Through a small puncture in the wrist, a radiologist uses a catheter to deliver microscopic particles that block unnecessary blood vessels causing fibroids to shrink and fade away.
Pros of UFE include but are not limited to:
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- Surgery Alternative
- Shorter recovery rate, 7 days in the majority of cases
- Minimal to no scars
- Drastic improvement of Fibroid Symptoms
- No Hospital Visit
- Possibility for Pregnancy
- Less invasive procedure
- All fibroids can receive treatment at the same time
Navigating fibroids will look different for everybody, but if left untreated, these masses can get bigger and result in severe symptoms, putting physical pressure on other organs in your pelvic area. Particular options include hormone therapy to reduce the masses’ size, along with incorporating birth control pills, IUDs, or progesterone shots to help minimize bleeding and discomfort.
If you prefer less invasive options, consider uterine artery embolization to halt blood flow to the fibroids, or explore hysteroscopic myomectomy or abdominal myomectomy for surgical removal of the masses.
You may also want to consider incorporating supplements or particular foods into your diet. A 2022 study published in Nutrients, a peer-reviewed, scientific journal of human nutrition, discovered a solid connection between vitamin D deficiency and uterine fibroid development.
These also displayed that a diet abundant in vitamin A can help prevent or lessen the formation of fibroids. Extra research found that those who eat at least four servings of fruit or vegetables a day were less prone to growing fibroids compared to people who only ate one serving in the same period.
Considering everything, it's clear that living with uterine fibroids as a Black woman, while also trying to navigate a discriminatory healthcare system, is hardly ever a linear path. Besides the common physical symptoms, there is the mental anguish, tiredness, anxiety, loss of pleasure while having sex, alarming treatment prices, and many other aspects that are usually not taken into consideration.
Because the intensity and impacts of fibroids can differ significantly, it's imperative to consult a doctor you can trust to determine the best treatment plan.
