By Gemma Greene, blackdoctor.org
Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus. Sometimes, these tumors become quite large and cause severe abdominal pain and heavy periods. In other cases, they cause no signs or symptoms at all. The growths are typically benign (noncancerous). The cause of fibroids is unknown.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 70 to 80 percent of women have them by the age of 50–and they are more prevalent in Black women. Why is that?
Time and time again we receive emails and comments from Black women as young as 22, who have had to deal with painful fibroids. Some small as golf balls, others almost the size of a basketball. One woman set out to change that.
The 90-Day Hope Beyond Fibroids Elimination Program is co-founded by fibroids & fertility coach and bestselling author Gessie Thompson. The program’s purpose is to empower women to be H.I.P.P.—Hopeful, Informed, Prayerful and Proactive—about eliminating their fibroids and infertility.
Thompson has had five fibroid surgeries and experienced the discomfort first-hand.
So as she researched for cures and treatment solutions, she came across the work of Dr. Amsu Anpu and Dr. Amun Neb from the Aboriginal Medical Association. A group that helps women change their lifestyles and eliminate fibroids.
On a recent episode of NewsOne Now with Roland Martin, Dr. Amsu Anpu explained the information medical doctors have been disseminating about fibroids is “incorrect.” He said, “The root cause is estrogen dominance — they know this. It’s absolutely known.”
“Our thing is to inhibit the estrogen and that’s how we eliminate those fibroids,” Dr. Anpu said.
Dr. Anpu also believes African-American women are being “set up” to develop fibroids. He said young Black women are given contraception pills to regulate their cycles; those pills contain estrogen.
Anpu later said the estrogen in the contraception pills “feeds fibroids.”
Thompson added other medications, stress and certain foods also contribute to the development of the condition. She said the focus is to educate women about advocating for themselves.
One of the main things she said spoke directly to African-American women: “Your health is not in your doctor’s hands, it’s in your hands and you can change your lifestyle” in an attempt to impact your health in a positive way.
For more information about Gessie Thompson or the 90-Day Program, click here.
