July is Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month; How One Doctor Is Helping Women

Did you know that 7 out of 10 American women and 8 out of 10 Black women have struggled with fibroids? These benign tumors can cause numerous symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and fertility issues. Despite their prevalence, many women are unaware of the signs and treatment options available, which range from medication to surgical procedures.

Photo byDr. Donna Adams-Pickett (Image Provided)

Uterine fibroids are the most common benign (not cancerous) tumors, or growths, in women of childbearing age. They grow in and around the muscular wall of the uterus (womb) and can grow as a single tumor or there can be many. They can be as small as an apple seed or as big as a grapefruit. Fibroids can grow or stay about the same size over time, according to the FDA.

In recognition of Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month, it’s crucial to bring attention to the impact of fibroids on women's health and the importance of accessible and effective treatment. Dr. Donna Adams-Pickett, a renowned expert in Black Maternal Health, provides valuable insights into fibroids and their effects on women's lives.

Dr. Adams-Pickett, PhD, MD, is an advocate and expert in Black Maternal Health. She has dedicated her career to raising awareness about the alarming disparities faced by Black women in pregnancy and childbirth. Research indicates that systemic and structural barriers contribute to disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality in Black communities.

A well-respected obstetrician-gynecologist with 23 years of practice in Augusta, Georgia, Dr. Pickett urges a comprehensive strategy to reduce maternal mortality rates and provide culturally competent care for Black mothers. As the owner and operator of Augusta Women’s Health and Wellness Center, she has seen nearly 10,000 patients and delivered over 6,000 babies. Dr. Pickett’s vital work focuses on fostering accessible, appropriate, and inclusive healthcare solutions for all expectant Black mothers by prioritizing their unique needs, amplifying their voices, and fostering greater understanding within the medical community.

"Our goal is to one day establish a society where every pregnant Black woman feels valued and receives equitable care and support," says Adams-Pickett in a press rlease.

She is dedicated to addressing the disparities faced by Black women during pregnancy and childbirth. With an extensive academic and research background, she leads efforts to improve care and reduce maternal mortality rates. Her work has garnered widespread recognition and is instrumental in driving policy reforms and advancing equitable healthcare practices.

"I was motivated to pursue obstetrics because my paternal grandmother died in childbirth, which truly altered my father’s life. He and his community were conditioned to expect that pregnancy and childbirth were precarious states, and every time my mother was pregnant, he spent the entire nine months anxious about her well-being," she said in a press rekease. "This moved me to want to help more women through this journey. As I became more enmeshed in women’s health and gynecological care, I soon learned that our society’s relationship with female reproductive health at all stages is complicated, primarily due to a lack of open education and communication about the female body."

She encourgaes women to become empowered about their health.

"As a gynecologist, I found that society's reluctance to openly embrace female reproductive health has resulted in a vacuum of resources for women. The foundation of improved healthcare outcomes for women is education. An informed patient is an active participant in her well-being," she exolained. "I have been stunned at the lack of familiarity most women and girls have with their bodies and how to do what is best for their well-being."