For years, I struggled with intense pain, heavy periods, and a bloated stomach that made me look months pregnant at times. I knew something was wrong, but like so many women, I was told that my symptoms were “normal” or that I should just manage them with painkillers. Deep down, I felt unheard and dismissed, but I kept pushing forward—until the discomfort became unbearable. After years of frustration and countless doctor visits, I was finally diagnosed with uterine fibroids. I was shocked. Why had no one ever mentioned fibroids before? Why wasn’t this a more common conversation in women’s health?

Learning about my condition was both a relief and a wake-up call. I realized I wasn’t alone—millions of women, especially black women, suffer from fibroids, often in silence. But what frustrated me most was how little awareness there was and how many women, like me, had been left in the dark.