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RELATED: Black Women & Endometriosis
As February is coming to an end and we’re all trying to preserve our edges as gas prices rise and Putin continues to apply pressure (watch the news, y’all), March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a reproductive disorder in which the endometrium (the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus) grows outside of the uterus. For a woman’s menstrual cycle, the tissue that lines the uterus builds up and sheds if sperm is not present and she does not become pregnant. However, for women with endometriosis, endometrial-like tissue grows outside of the uterus on other organs in the pelvis and abdominal areas. Every month, the tissue acts as normal endometrial tissue that responds to hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle; it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds, which causes severe pain, inflammation, swelling, and scarring of the normal tissue of endometriosis implants.
The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, but many theories suggest that some tissue flows back through the fallopian tubes into the abdominal area, where it attaches and grows during menstruation. Another theory suggests that endometrial tissue travels through blood or lymphatic channels and implants. Some women may have a genetic predisposition to endometriosis. It occurs in about 11% of women between the ages 15 and 44, with most women diagnosed between the ages 25-35. There have been cases reported in girls of 11 years old.
The primary symptom of endometriosis is severe pelvic pain associated with menstrual cycles (this is not the average period cramping). Symptoms of Endometriosis varies and can include a combination of:
Historically, Black women have a horrid history with medical professionals and the field of obstetrics/gynecology (please look up J. Marion Sims, cause chile). Endometriosis is difficult to diagnose and can take about 8 to 12 years from the onset of symptoms to get a diagnosis. It also may not occur in a vacuum, meaning you can also have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Uterine Fibroids, and other health conditions that can play a role in getting an accurate diagnosis. I am a fellow Cyster (PCOS), so I am always on the lookout for Endometriosis and Uterine Fibroids. The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reported that approximately 40% of Black women with endometriosis were initially told they had Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Endometriosis is also one of the leading causes of infertility for Black women.
Treatment options vary and are case-specific. A woman’s medical history, the severity of endometriosis, and fertility, amongst other things, are taken into consideration. While most of the treatment options are geared towards managing the pain using contraceptives/hormone therapy and pain medication, surgical treatment is also an option to remove endometrial growths and a hysterectomy to remove the uterus or ovaries.
As Rona continues to snatch edges and Endometriosis Awareness Month approaches, remember you know your body better than anyone. So, you are your best advocate! Please be sure to consult with a medical professional, preferably an Obstetrician/Gynecologist (OB-GYN) or Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant for more information, a diagnosis, or treatment. Be on the lookout for more information from “SPEAK UP!” interns. If you are or know of any Black college-aged and enrolled women interested in advocating against tobacco cessation on HBCU campuses, please visit Save a Girl, Save a World (SAGSAW) for more information.
Aravia Patterson, MPH, is a 26-year-old intern with SAGSAW/SPEAK Up! She is currently a Ph.D. Student at the University of Louisville studying Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences.
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