I am a huge fan of the Real Housewives of Atlanta franchise that airs on Bravo TV. Most of the time there is a lot of nonsense yelling and name calling from mature women and it may seem silly to watch but every now and then a serious topic is brought up by a cast member. Cynthia Bailey introduced her struggle with uterine fibroids this season and it spoke to me and countless other men and women. I recently had a total hysterectomy because of a large uterine fibroid that my body struggled with for over a year. Just like Cynthia Bailey, I had the stomach that was protruding and the heavy periods that resulted in me suffering from anemia. After a blood transfusion and months of struggling with little to no energy, my surgery was the only way to get my old self back. It was not an easy decision. I was afraid but it all worked out and I am now feeling better than ever.
Here is a list of some facts you should know about uterine fibroids:
- Fibroids are tumors that grow in the uterus. They are almost always benign (not cancerous).
- Fibroids can grow as a single tumor, or there can be many of them in the uterus. They can be as small as an apple seed or as big as a grapefruit.
- African-American women are more likely to develop fibroids than white women.
- Fibroids become more common as women age, especially during the 30s and 40s through menopause. After menopause, fibroids usually shrink.
- Most fibroids do not cause any symptoms, but some women with fibroids can have heavy bleeding (which can be heavy enough to cause anemia) or painful periods, enlargement of the lower abdomen and frequent urination.
- If you have fibroids with moderate or severe symptoms, surgery may be the best way to treat them.
Information taken from http://www.womenshealth.gov
Check out Cynthia Bailey’s blog post about her struggle with uterine fibroids here:
http://www.bravotv.com/blogs/the-dish/cynthia-bailey-i-feel-so-much-better
http://www.bravotv.com/blogs/the-dish/cynthia-bailey-debuts-slimmed-down-look
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