Black Women Suffer from Uterine Fibroids More Than Women of Other Races

Fancy Felder the CEO at Swag Her Magazine, a Black owned media brand, shared the above headline. She interviewed Ella Destiny, a life coach, author, and fibroids advocate who battled with fibroids since high school. Here’s more of the story.

“My fibroid journey started back in high school. I used to pass out a lot and was always tired but never knew why. I’d go to the doctor, and they’d tell me it was just an iron deficiency and severe anemia,” Ella explains. “They’d put me on iron pills four times a day. It wasn’t until I was about to give birth to my oldest son that they actually diagnosed me with fibroids.” “My fibroid journey started back in high school. I used to pass out a lot and was always tired but never knew why. I’d go to the doctor, and they’d tell me it was just an iron deficiency and severe anemia,” Ella explains. “They’d put me on iron pills four times a day. It wasn’t until I was about to give birth to my oldest son that they actually diagnosed me with fibroids.” Black women suffer from uterine fibroids more than women of other races. According to some national statistics, at least 25% of Black women ages 18-30 will have complications with fibroids, while only 6% of White women may experience these problems. UCLA Health describes fibroids as tumors that develop in the uterus, made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue. Most are benign or noncancerous. 

Why are Black Women Impacted the Most?

While fibroids are more common in Black women, no one knows precisely why it is. We asked Ella her thoughts on the matter. 

“Well, we know that black women are more vitamin D deficient than other women, and that’s because our skin is darker. Also, I think genetics, our diets and what we put into our bodies, and the way we handle stress.”

Are Fibroids Hereditary?

It has yet to be determined if fibroids are hereditary, but there is believed to be a hereditary component to them, and those who have family members who suffer from fibroids are more likely to have them as well. The coach says a number of women in her family on both her maternal and paternal sides have or have had fibroids.

While Ella Destiny now teaches a 4-Week Purpose Course and hosts “So What, You Can Sit With Me” mini-conferences, it is now her personal mission to educate other women. Her message to other Black women is, “Educate, Educate, Educate! Make sure you educate yourselves on what fibroids are and the signs and symptoms. Get second and third opinions, asks lots of questions, and if you aren’t sure, schedule a consultation. Make sure you know all of your options so that you can make an informed decision about what to do with your body! You are your best advocate.”

To learn more about Ella Destiny and connect with her, visit her website www.elladestiny.com or follow her below:

IG: @coachelladestiny

FB: Ella Destiny

Twitter-Ella Destiny