A Black Woman's Guide to Uterine Fibroids: Holistic Treatments, CBD and THC
When I was in medical school, my general surgery attending asked me if I would be interested in doing a rotation in interventional radiology. Seems that I struck him as the kind of guy that would be interested in that specialty. He was right.
After jumping through a bunch of hoops, I eventually got my IR elective approved at Rush Copley Hospital a little outside of Chicago. Shout out to Dr. Zafar (JZ), Dr. Qureshi (IQ), Dr. Palmer and everyone else at Copley that looked out for me- it was literally a life changing experience. The first interventional radiology case that I actually participated in was a Jamaican woman who had fibroids but did not want a hysterectomy. I had never heard of UFE’s (uterine fibroid embolization) or UAE’s (uterine artery embolization) before this. I remember JZ jokingly telling me after the procedure “only barbarians do hysterectomies in this woman's case”. He was joking- but he was right, there were way too many hysterectomies being done for a condition that could have been handled in a minimally invasive way. It changed my perspective on medicine.
I actually went home and read up on fibroids that evening, because it was obvious I needed to learn more. Since that day I’ve been learning more and more about fibroids- not because I was curious but because my friends, family and patients came to me looking for help.
So let's step up our game and try not to pillage uteruses (or is it uteri?) like savages if we can avoid it (ya bunch of barbarians lol). This blog is meant to give you the tools you need to manage fibroids in the best way for your personal situation, let’s goooo!
What are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or on the uterus. They range significantly in size, from as small as a pea to as large as a melon. Though usually benign, fibroids can significantly affect a woman's quality of life.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Fibroids often present with:
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Pelvic pain or pressure
Frequent urination
Constipation
Pain during intercourse
Many women discover fibroids during routine exams or ultrasounds. For definitive diagnosis, doctors may recommend a pelvic ultrasound, MRI, or hysteroscopy.
Pearls:
Fibroids are often discovered incidentally during routine health checks.
Fibroids can shrink naturally after menopause due to reduced hormone levels.
Demographics: Who is Most Affected?
Fibroids disproportionately affect Black women. Research shows that Black women are 2-3 times more likely than white women to develop fibroids and often experience symptoms at younger ages. Socioeconomic factors, genetics, and environmental exposures play roles in this disparity. Recent studies have suggested that chemicals found in hair care products commonly used by Black women, such as relaxers and certain styling products, might contribute to an increased risk of developing fibroids .
Pearls:
Black women typically experience fibroids earlier and more severely than their white counterparts.
Vitamin D deficiency, more common in Black women, is linked to increased fibroid risk.
Traditional Treatments: Pros and Cons
Traditional treatments range from medication to surgical intervention.
Hormonal Medications: Manage symptoms but may cause side effects like hot flashes or osteoporosis.
Myomectomy: Surgically removes fibroids but retains fertility. However, fibroids may regrow.
Hysterectomy: Permanent solution but eliminates fertility and comes with surgical risks.
Fibroid Embolization: A minimally invasive procedure performed by interventional radiologists that blocks the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink significantly. This treatment preserves fertility and avoids major surgery.
Pearls:
Myomectomy is preferred by women desiring future pregnancies.
Hysterectomy is the second most common surgery performed on women in the U.S.
Holistic Treatments: A Natural Approach
Holistic methods focus on nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes. Anti-inflammatory diets rich in vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins may reduce symptoms. Yoga, acupuncture, and herbal supplements (like green tea extract) have shown promising results in reducing fibroid symptoms.
Pearls:
Reducing red meat intake may decrease fibroid growth.
Green tea extract has been scientifically shown to shrink fibroids by up to 32%.
Cannabis and CBD: A Potential Lifeline
Emerging research suggests cannabis and CBD might effectively manage symptoms like pain, inflammation, and menstrual cramps. Cannabis interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, potentially reducing fibroid-associated pain and inflammation (source).
Routes of administration include:
Inhalation (Vaping/Smoking): Immediate relief, best for sudden pain flare-ups.
Tinctures (Sublingual Oils): Fast-acting and easily dosed; ideal for consistent daily relief.
Edibles (Capsules, Gummies): Slower onset but long-lasting effects, beneficial for sustained symptom relief throughout the day.
Topicals: Directly applied to areas of discomfort for localized relief without psychoactive effects.
Suppositories: CBD-infused suppositories provide targeted relief, particularly helpful for localized pelvic pain and menstrual cramps, offering direct absorption and faster symptom relief.
Pearls:
Cannabis effectively reduces menstrual pain through anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
CBD, unlike THC, provides symptom relief without psychoactive effects, suitable for daily use.
Rolling it All Up
I’m no longer doing procedures (miss it sometimes) but I look at my time in IR as a step in my final direction. Understanding uterine fibroids, especially as a Black woman, empowers you to take proactive steps towards better health. Explore traditional, holistic, and cannabis-based treatments to find the best balance for your lifestyle. You’re going to have to educate yourself a bit about the options- in order to make the best decisions for your personal situation. Always consult a healthcare provider before adding supplements or new treatments.
For trusted, physician-formulated CBD products, visit DrDamas.com. Feel free to reach out—I want to answer your questions and am here to help guide your journey to wellness. Make sure you share this guide with family and friends who might benefit from it- you never know who needs to hear something.
Pearls:
Proactive healthcare can significantly improve your quality of life when dealing with fibroids.
Dr. Hervé Damas personally formulates each CBD product at DrDamas.com for maximum safety and effectiveness.
