It was around 5 years ago when I first realised something wasn’t right with my periods.

I remember receiving a call from the anaesthetist ahead of a hernia operation I was preparing for. I had done my blood work earlier that day, and late in the evening, he rang to give me my results.

He told me my blood levels were dangerously low and I needed to have an iron infusion before surgery could go ahead. He asked me questions about my periods, if they were heavy and strongly advised me to investigate further with my GP.

That call was the first real warning sign that something deeper was going on.

My first symptoms & being dismissed

Although there was a push to investigate, once fibroids was confirmed as the root cause of my heavy bleeding, the first treatment option suggested to me was hormonal contraception.

I went through countless appointments, standing my ground and refusing contraception. It didn’t sit right with me that I was being offered a “solution” that didn’t address the root cause.

I wanted my life back. I wanted to feel like myself again.

What shocked me most was the lack of empathy. On one occasion, I spoke with a female doctor who was covering for my usual GP. I thought she would understand, maybe even show compassion. Instead, her only suggestion was contraception. When I questioned whether that really addressed the issue, her response was blunt:

“That is the best solution”

I left that phone consultation in tears.

“I can’t even count the number of times I’ve left appointments in tears”

Over and over, the only options offered to me were: contraception, surgery, or hysterectomy. Nothing about nutrition. Nothing about vitamins. Nothing about addressing the underlying causes.

The emotional and physical toll

The toll this has taken on me has been immense.

I’ve felt helpless, scared, confused, lost, misunderstood, and unheard. It chipped away at my confidence and self-esteem while increasing my anxiety.

The physical pain terrified me at times- moments when I wondered if it would ever pass.

I’d curl up in bed wishing I could hibernate until it was all over. But life doesn’t pause. I had to show up every single day, regardless of the pain.

Through my own research into womb health, my distrust in healthcare deepened. I realised that if I wanted real answers, I would have to take control of my own healing.

The systemic bias

Connecting with other women online has been a lifeline. Sharing experiences, listening to their stories – it has finally given me hope.

But I can’t help but notice the bias in mainstream conversations about women’s health.

Endometriosis receives significant attention – and rightly so. Petitions are being raised for menstrual sick days, and awareness campaigns are growing.

But where is the same energy for fibroids and PCOS?

These conditions share many similar symptoms, yet they remain overlooked.

Is it because fibroids are most common in black women?

Why are we being denied nutritional treatments and handed hysterectomies as the “solution”? Why are our wombs treated as disposable?

It frustrates me deeply to feel abandoned by healthcare, but it also strengthens my determination to heal myself.

Because this isn’t just my story. It’s happening to millions of black women who face dismissal and limited options in the system. That’s why we must take control of our healing journeys.

This goes beyond the physical- it’s emotional, spiritual and generational.

Finally being diagnosed

An ultrasound confirmed fibroids as the cause of my heavy bleeding early on.

But the frustration wasn’t about the diagnosis- it was about the lack of knowledge, compassion and holistic treatment offered.

It felt like women’s bodies, especially black women’s bodies, are being treated like experiments.

The bittersweet of this journey has been finding a community on social media. I’ve learned more, felt heard, and found hope through other women bravely sharing their stories.

Healing and advocacy

Sharing my journey has been a long time coming.

I used to ask, “why me?” But over time, that shifted to, “Why not me?”

It may sound strange, but I truly believe I am on this path to raise awareness. To create conversations with women who, like me, have been suffering in silence. To explore holistic practices that support the body, mind and spirit.

I hope my journey encourages more women to advocate for themselves and refuse to suffer quietly.

“Your voice matters. The louder we are together, the more hope we have for better treatments, understanding, and recognition of fibroids in workplace policies – like menstrual sick days”

Closing thoughts

After 5 years of navigating fibroids and the healthcare system, one lesson stands out: become knowledgeable about your condition.

Ask yourself : what is the root cause?

Research points to fibroids being influenced by gut health, liver detoxification, and hormone imbalance. Yet, instead of addressing these, women are offered even more hormones – which can often make things worse.

Too many women feel cornered into hysterectomies, when maybe, with the right nutritional advice, they could have saved their wombs and preserved their fertility.

Don’t give up on yourself. I know it’s not easy, but those extra steps toward natural healing could make all the difference in the long run.

That’s what I believe.

Until next time – happy healing.

Mon x