Narea Wilson Shares Her Struggle With Fibroids And How Womb Health, Medical Racism & Healing Need To Be Part Of The Sustainability Conversation

Women’s health - especially for the Black/Brown female body- is a conversation that isn’t discussed enough. The intersections of medical racism, womb health and healing need to become a priority in the sustainability community. Far too often, women are suffering in isolation with minimal reference and outlet.

We are excited to speak with Narea Wilson, an Oakland native who has been living with fibroids. In her interview, she’s going to be sharing her story and experiences thus far:

Let's start with the basics ... what are fibroids?

Simply put, Fibroids are benign tumors that grow in the uterus. They normally grow between the ages when a person is experiencing their menstrual cycle. Sometimes people find them painful; terrible cramps accompanied with heavy bleeding and sometimes there are no symptoms at all. There isn’t much research on the why. My guess for that is because fibroids don’t impact white people nearly as much as Black and Latinx people.

When were you diagnosed and what were your symptoms leading to the official diagnosis?

My cycles had always been really heavy on the first two days so that was my normal. Cramping like my insides had everything on a DJ Screw playlist. Like, for real. It was daunting. I actually found out my womb was carrying fibroids when I learned I was pregnant in September of 2016. I was told by the GYN I was seeing that this may be the only child I have because of the fibroids and that freaked me out. You have this idea of what your ideal family will look like and one child did not sound like the three I pictured. I really let stress control me in that season. I ended up miscarrying because one of the fibroids outgrew the baby. At the end of that year, I proceeded with a myomectomy which is a surgery that removes all visible fibroids, keeping the uterus intact for a better chance at future conception. Since then, some have resurfaced, but this time taking me through a different set of issues with my hemoglobin levels.

What have been the biggest challenges thus far?

It has be a struggle! The many gynecologists I've seen all opt to treat my excessive bleeding hormonally which is not the plan I have for my body. I’ve gone to the emergency room three times for blood transfusions this year alone. My body was not reacting well to any hormone they tried. The crazy part about it is they weren’t listening to me. I know my fair share of hormones. The dosage they wanted me to take for the bleeding to stop was completely unhealthy, instead of focusing on the problem causing the bleeding. I kept getting this band aid that would come right off.

How has medical racism affected your experience with having fibroids?

Fibroids can be really painful at times. I am never in a rush to ask for pain medication because the cons outweigh the relief for me. When I do ask, I really need them. On one ER visit it was like I had to beg the nurse to give me something stronger than an over the counter tylenol. The pain was so intolerable I was sobbing and she could barely make out a word I was saying. It was like she was annoyed. Thankfully family was there to advocate for me at that time, if they hadn’t been I don't know what I would've done. So there's that and about 85% of the gynecologists I’ve seen have recommended a hysterectomy before they recommend any other treatment. No you will not; thank you.

What is some advice you would give other Black women who may be experiencing something similar?

I really hope other Black people with wombs make it a priority to listen to their bodies.You are the expert of you and don’t leave it to anyone else to tell you how you're feeling. Pay attention to how you physically feel when you’re moving through life. One thing I’ve learned is that stress can manifest throughout our physical beings in the worst way. Although western medicine doesn’t directly connect the two, all of my eastern medicine practitioners and spiritual healers have told me this, over and over. I would also say cultivate your circle of support whatever that looks like for you. I have a dope group of women that show up for me in the most beautiful ways. It’s so needed.

What are some positive life changes you've made in light of having fibroids? Did it help symptoms? Mental Health? ect .... and how?

Changing my diet in 2016 was the first step for me, switching up and eating Ital. I go through periods of time where i'm about 80/20 plant based but the majority of the time i’m all in. I’ve noticed a significant difference in my moods and even gut health. Acupuncture is my jam. Again, it’s really about feeling at ease. I get herbs from my acupuncturist that work better in my opinion than prescription drugs because they address the fibroids and not just the pain surrounding them. Different herbs help to shrink fibroids naturally though it doesn’t happen overnight.Therapy also helps with the stress.

How do you define sustainability?

Sustainability is flow. Peaceful coexistence between everything and every being.