How uterine pain is normalized in women’s health
Fibroids are tumors that grow on or in the wall of the uterus, and about 70% to 80% of women will have them in their lifetime. Black women suffer the most.
But fibroids are widely misunderstood and poorly researched. Federal research about fibroids receives far less money compared to other conditions like prostate or breast cancer.
Actor Lupita Nyong’o has publicly spoken about her struggle with fibroids and her 2014 surgery to remove them.
“When I asked my doctor how to prevent them from returning, her response was devastating: ‘You can’t. It’s only a matter of time until they grow again,'” Nyong’o wrote for the Foundation for Women’s Health. “This moment crystallized something profound for me. I realized that as women, we are conditioned from an early age to expect suffering, and to endure it in silence.”
Host William Brangham discussed Nyong’o’s experience with Dr. Soyini Hawkins, a gynecologist and surgeon who founded the Fibroid and Pelvic Wellness Center of Georgia.
Horizons from PBS News, dives into the science, health, technology and environmental issues making headlines each week. Visit the PBS News website to watch this week’s episode.
Watch PBS News for daily, breaking and live news, plus special coverage. We are home to PBS News Hour, ranked the most credible and objective TV news show.
Sign up for Here’s The Deal with Lisa Desjardins: https://to.pbs.org/41q6E8i
Subscribe for exclusive content in our newsletters: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/subscribe
PBS News podcasts: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/podcasts
Stream your PBS favorites with the PBS app: https://to.pbs.org/2Jb8twG
Find more from PBS News at https://www.pbs.org/newshour
Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/2HfsCD6
Follow us:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pbsnews
X: http://www.twitter.com/newshour
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/newshour
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newshour/
