Caveats:
his website is a work in progress. I will be updating it frequently and I welcome your feedback, input and any sites or information that have helped you. I am not a medical provider, just a woman who had endometriosis for 31 years before getting diagnosed — during my surgery to remove my fibroids.
What are fibroids?
Fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that develop from the smooth muscular tissue of the uterus (myometrium). A single cell divides repeatedly, eventually creating a firm, rubbery mass distinct from nearby tissue. Fibroids are not cancerous, they are benign – which means that they do not pose a terminal risk to your life. Think of fibroids like a chronic condition that can cause serious impingement on your daily life and your fertility, but will not kill you.
As many as three out of four women have uterine fibroids sometime during their lives. They can cause serious quality of life issues like anemia, chronic pain, and infertility and miscarriage – or no symptoms at all. Fibroids are estimated to cost the United States $5.9-34.4 billion annually, according to a study from Northwestern University in 2012, and they are the reason for one out of every five visits to ob/gyns every year. Many women who have fibroids also have endometriosis.
Uterine fibroids have a disproportional effect on African-American women who have an even higher cumulative risk of uterine fibroids, a threefold greater incidence, and an earlier age of onset.
What you need to know:
- Chronic pain and severe bleeding is not normal for your period.
- Fibroids no matter how large or small can cause problems with fertility, excessive bleeding and pain.
- There are treatments available for your fibroids
- Find a healthcare provider who will listen to you and take your pain seriously
- Educate yourself as much as possible; get empowered and learn everything you can about your condition.
- Track, track, track your symptoms