This year has been an eye-opener for many of us, COVID19 is educating us on the impact of a disease on one’s overall health. I don’t know about you but I wonder what research will tell about the COVID19 pandemic, time and research will definitely tell.
As we come to the close of this challenging year, I want to talk about a topic that is so dear to me because of its many aspects, Uterine Fibroids. These non-cancerous benign tumors are an epidemic in the black community but rarely talked about.
This blog is a summary of some of my favorite intersections: Race, gender, sexuality, and mental health.
Why are black women at a higher risk?
- They are more genetically predisposed to this condition
- Because of their genetic predisposition, they are prone to Vitamin D deficiency which increases susceptibility to fibroids.
- They have a greater incidence and relative risk of Fibroids
- This population uses more products with Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) than any other ethnicities. EDCs interfere with hormones. Such chemicals are found in hair or cleaning products.
- They consume a high percentage of red meat. Red meat is linked to high estrogen as it encourages fibroid growth.
- Women of color start their periods earlier than other populations. Early-onset of menstruation may increase one’s risk of uterine fibroids.
- Institutionalized and internalized racism – has an impact on how people access healthcare services.
- They have a higher prevalence of related hospitalization than any other races
Relationship between mental health and sexuality
- Has been linked to depression anger, self-image
- Some treatments have been linked to acne and hair loss which can affect one’s self-esteem. Surgeries such as Hysterectomy have been linked to fatigue or loss of sexual desire.
- Fibroids can cause sexual disorders such as sexual pain disorders (dyspareunia) or infertility. These disorders have been linked to anxiety, stress, and low emotional well-being among many other issues.
So what do you need to do?
- Be aware of your signs, symptoms, genetic history, and environment among many others.
- As a patient ensure that you are informing your health care providers about all of the signs and symptoms that you are experiencing even if you think they are not related to Fibroids. Remember, doctors will mostly work with the information that you are giving them. The information is vital in order to implement a holistic approach.
- Ask and keep asking questions to your health providers in order to make well-informed decisions. Do you understand the recommended treatment?
- We cannot be ignorant of those who want to seek alternative medicine e.g. those who want to use treatments like acupuncture, nutrition supplements, naturopathy, herbal medicine, etc. Seek services from a qualified Alternative medicine health practitioner.
- Most importantly it is vital to work with culturally competent health professions. Professionals who understand how to implement interventions with your social/cultural context in mind. Did you read the blog about working with cultural competent professionals The Prescribed Flight: The need for cultural competency – BNHEALTHMATTERS
One disorder can have many intersections and it is important to be informed about its impact on our overall health.
As for now, I hope you get to have a blessed Christmas as you work on maintaining every aspect of your health.
This was a summary of my findings for a project