preserve her uterus. I didn’t even know my mother had a hysterectomy at the age of 28 from fibroids,” she shares.
“This time my doctor said, ‘Well maybe you should get a hysterectomy.’ A lot of time I feel like people try to put women over 40 out to pasture for so many different reasons. But I really felt like I’m a vibrant woman, I’m 45 years old, I feel good. I’m still producing eggs. I don’t know what my life is going to be. I don’t want to get a hysterectomy at this point. I still feel like I’m too young,” Turner says. “And so I opted for yet another myomectomy. So it was my third surgery in 10 years.”
During her latest myomectomy, she had 24 fibroids removed from her uterus. Although the original ultrasound only detected five.
As to be expected, fibroids impacted so much of Turner’s daily life, including what she wore and even how she looked at herself.
“..It’s debilitating because you don’t want to go anywhere. You don’t want to leave the house, you just don’t know what’s going to happen to you each day,” Turner says.
Fortunately, Turner, who did a “complete body reset” by working with a health and wellness coach, is feeling much better. She was able to “heal” herself from the inside out.
Despite this, she admits to worrying about what the future holds.
“I’m feeling really great, but I’m scared. Mentally, I’m scared it’s gonna happen again,” she shares. “And I told myself, if they come back again, you have to get a hysterectomy. So I’m very scared about that.”
Whatever the outcome holds for Turner, she hopes her experience raises awareness of how fibroids disproportionately affect the Black community. She has partnered with the Black Women’s Health Imperative and Sen. Cory Booker to do just that.
“If I can do anything so that someone doesn’t have to go through what I went through — three major surgeries on their body in 10 years — then that’s what I want,” she tells PEOPLE. “I don’t want anybody to have to suffer like this and suffer in silence and not know how to handle their health, not have any funding or any information. I don’t want that for anyone.”
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Seeing a doctor for fibroids
Although fibroids are common, most women don’t realize they have them. You may have fibroids if you experience symptoms such as:
- Enlarged lower abdomen
- Feeling of fullness in lower abdomen
- Increased urge to urinate
- Painful sex
- Lower back pain
- Pain or pressure in rectum
- Pain during menstruation
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor to get tested and get an official diagnosis as soon as possible. Early detection can improve your outcome.
Your best treatment option will be determined based on your age, the size and location of your fibroids and whether or not you want to have kids. If you have fibroids, it is important to do your own research so that you are aware of all your treatment options. If you believe you aren’t being heard, you should get a second opinion.