Health is Wealth: Black women must advocate for their health
Thank you so much for joining me for Part 2 of the advocating for your health series.
Today I am going to share about my experiences which mirror many of the experiences of Black women dealing with women's health issues. For context, the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that there are numerous health inequities across our nation and especially among Black people of all demographics. My hope is that these words will help people find verbiage to use when they speak on their experiences, when they discuss symptoms with their doctors, and to feel empowered to advocate for their health. These principles can apply to various disease states and how you go about advocating for yourself so that you receive the care you deserve.
Ever since I can remember I've experienced painful periods. I can remember being in so much pain from cramping that I would vomit or pass out if I didn't "properly" pre-medicate with pain relievers prior to my cycle starting. This began in middle school and I became used to this routine throughout my adult life. I don't know if my pain tolerance increased or if my body adjusted but the pain eventually became more tolerable over the years. As I went through high school and undergrad I would hear discussion amongst female colleagues about their menstrual cycle woes and chalked it up as this is the way women HAVE to live. There are just some women who are lucky like the girls dancing on the tampon commercials during their cycles and there are other women who are not as fortunate. I would listen to women describe the pain, fatigue, or heavy bleeding causing them to stay home from school. I would hear stories about girls being so anemic from their heavy bleeding that they needed iron infusions or supplements. So because these weren't my stories I thought that this was "normal" because it was so common. But systemic racism is also very common…but it sure as heck is not normal. Health inequity and being misunderstood or overlooked by providers is also very common, however I'm hoping to raise more and more red flags stating that this is not normal.
Over the past few years I noticed that my periods felt heavier and heavier. With time I noticed that I was passing pretty impressive sized clots. I learned to control the cramping pain with pain relievers and a heating pad, however I started developing pretty severe lower back pain around the time of my cycle. A quick search with Dr. Google revealed that this was a result of passing large clots due to the uterus having to contract forcefully so that they can pass through. That made sense to me. But with time the clots and the pain starting getting a little too intense for even my version of "normal" so I scheduled and appointment to see an OB/GYN. Now you may be wondering why I hadn't made an appointment already. Previous personal encounters and countless other stories from female colleagues taught me that the only thing I would get from this appointment was a high co-pay and a prescription for birth control. And I am kind of against taking it for various reasons that I will get into another time. Anyways, I told the provider my symptoms and without a physical exam, labs, or imaging I was told to start birth control. So I was back at square one. Earlier this year I started to develop GI symptoms (I think are unrelated, but some fibroids can be so large that they invade other organs and cause issues). My issues were so bothersome that I had a CT scan done and subsequently the radiologist described a large fibroid the size of a grapefruit outside of my uterus imposing on my bladder and bowels in addition to multiple smaller fibroids inside of my uterus stretching it by an additional 4 cm. I'm currently working closely with a surgeon and OB/GYN to determine the best treatment plan for treating my fibroids which will include invasive surgery and a pretty long recovery. There are some resources online of women taking a more holistic route with natural herbs and supplements and strict diets to eliminate their fibroids however every body is different and being western medicine clinically trained pharmacist --- I don't know if I'm ready for that yet.
What makes this worse is the alarming statistics surrounding Black women's health issues. Black women are often left without answers or help for their symptoms. They fill gas-lighted, hopeless, isolated, and depressed by these issues. It feels like yet another burden they are forced to carry by themselves. It's very hard to be in a good place when you are chronically fatigued, in pain, or constantly bleeding. On top of this, when you go to seek help 1 in 5 Black patients (I think this number would be higher, but many Black people don't seek help to start with) face racial discrimination. Black women have to end up in the emergency room or show up to the doctor with severe symptoms before they are taken seriously.
Ok so I will link other articles that name fibroids a public health concern especially in the Black community due to the mental, socioeconomic, and physical toll that it is taking on our women. Please use these as resources to supplement your learning if needed.
For now I want to share some things I'm learning on my journey to help you advocate for your health.
You know your body better than anyone else. If you feel something is wrong DO NOT let anyone gaslight you into thinking you are wrong until they prove you wrong. Have them run some labs or perform imaging to rule it out before they tell you NO. Make them prove to you that you are incorrect.
Do your research on common procedures, labs, etc that are done with your current condition. DO NOT USE WEBMD. It is great to try and stay informed and even ask your doctor for resources to help you understand your symptoms or diagnosis. A great doctor/pharmacist/NP/PA etc will do that for you. If they are annoyed or just tell you to go to a website or seem like they are brushing you off RUN!
Get a second opinion. Get a second opinion. Get a second opinion!!!!! Speak to people that you trust about what you are going through so that you can find resources and physicians that helped others with your same condition. Specialist are usually booked out months in advance so due your due diligence and make an appointment like yesterday.
Mental health is also health. Diagnoses and illness can take a huge toll on your mental health. I saw this frequently with my cancer patients who really needed a safe space to express how difficult it is having your lifestyle and routing changed due to illness. Once I knew that I had fibroids my anxiety about my future went through the roof and I honestly waited too long to seek help. By the time I realized I was in too deep I was in the kitchen floor having panic attacks. It's never too late to seek help. Get a therapist or a spiritual leader to talk to.
Take someone with you who to appointments who can help take notes, keep things organized, and help advocate for you as well. There will be so much information coming to you at once and you know they say 2 heads are better than one! Trust me. I see this a lot with my cancer patients as well, brining someone along for the ride helps A LOT.
Once you've done your research, found a provider to trust, you actually have to listen to them. BLACK PEOPLE YOU ACTUALLY HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOUR PROVIDERS. Don't be that patient lol.
I hope that this list helps you and you can apply it to any health situation, not just women's health. I pray that you stay healthy and safe. I hope that your prosper in all that you do and your soul prospers as well. Please share this blog with others in our community. I hope that you know that your are 1 of 1 and understand the absolute necessity of advocating for yourself and seeking help when you need it.
Other articles:
