God blessed me with an amazing body—and I’m not talking about appearance. I mean the architecture, the way this body is built. I’ve always been stronger than most folks my age. My bloodwork stays exceptional. I don’t really have allergies. I don’t bloat. I rarely have gas. I run fast. I heal quickly.
Okay, I do scar badly—but that’s about it.
So, imagine my confusion when my body went from four-and-a-half day, almost painless cycles to ten-day, painful, life-interrupting events.
I’m a little bit of a hypochondriac, I watch a lot of TV, and I am a Cancer. That combination means I don’t just track my cycle; I run a whole medical surveillance program. Digital calendar, daily symptom notes, energy levels, mood swings, abnormal anything—you name it. I document it.
I would be in luck if ever the doctor needed that one clue to diagnose a rare condition like they do on those medical dramas. Extra? Yes. Do I care? No.
My first “extended period” hit in August 2022. Just one extra day, but when you’ve been consistent for 15 years straight, that one day is a red flag. September came—same thing. Then October. Then the pain joined the party.
By December, we were at nine days, and my cycle app was basically looking at me like: “Girl… is everything okay at home?”
It was not.
After months of tracking, testing, and trying to make sense of it all, I finally got an answer: I had an enlarged uterus with five fibroids. One of the fibroids was the size of me being three months pregnant. I decided that big mama had to go as soon as I heard the news. I had my hysterectomy in August 2023, and honestly… it saved me.
Before I get into some quick facts about hysterectomies, here’s what I want to make crystal clear:
You are not crazy. Your pain is real. Your intuition is real. Black women know our bodies—don’t let anyone gaslight you out of advocating for yourself.
Let’s Talk Fibroids (Because So Many of Us Have Them)
Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow in or around the uterus. Harmless in theory. Life-altering in reality.
Common Symptoms of Fibroids
These are the red flags many of us ignore because we think “this is just what periods are like.”
But no—this is not normal:
- Heavy or prolonged periods (7+ days)
- Severe cramping
- Pelvic pressure or fullness
- Back or leg pain
- Large blood clots
- Bloating or looking “months pregnant”
- Fatigue or low energy due to anemia
- Constant urge to pee or difficulty emptying bladder
Hysterectomy: What Actually Happens
A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. There are different versions of it:
- Partial – Uterus removed
- Total – Uterus + cervix removed
- Radical – Uterus + cervix + ovaries + fallopian tubes removed
After a Hysterectomy
- No more periods
- No chance of pregnancy
- Relief from fibroid symptoms
- Recovery time: usually 4–8 weeks
For many women, it’s life-changing in the best way. For others, it’s a last resort. It just depends on your body and your goals.
Alternatives to Hysterectomy
If you’re not ready for the full breakup with your uterus, there are options:
- Myomectomy – Removes fibroids but leaves the uterus
- Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE) – Cuts the fibroid’s blood supply so it shrinks
- Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) – Uses sound waves to shrink fibroids
- Medication – Manages symptoms temporarily
Every body is different, so don’t let anyone rush you into a procedure without explaining every option.
Black Women & Fibroids: What We’re Not Told Enough
Did you know?
- Black women are three times more likely to have fibroids.
- We tend to get them younger, and they grow larger and faster.
- Up to 80% of Black women will have fibroids by age 50.
- Many doctors still minimize our pain or skip straight to hysterectomy recommendations.
- Our symptoms are often dismissed as “normal period issues,” which delays diagnosis for years.
This is why sharing our stories matters. This is why I’m sharing mine.
We deserve answers. We deserve options. We deserve care that actually listens.
My goal with telling my story isn’t just to entertain; it’s to inform, empower, and let somebody know they’re not imagining what’s happening inside their body.
And if nobody has told you yet:
You are allowed to advocate loudly for your own health.
Kesha
