Los Angeles Sentinel: Women’s Health Uncovered—Hormonal Shifts

The Los Angeles Sentinel podcast series “All About Black Health” recently interviewed Diamond Goodwin, MD, associate professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai, about the growing awareness of endometriosis and fibroids, painful gynecological conditions that can go undiagnosed in women of color.

Goodwin told podcast host Nicole Williams that endometriosis—which causes tissue similar to that of the uterine lining to grow outside of the uterus—affects 1 in 10 women.

“Both the prevalence of the disease in addition to the fact that we have a tool like social media to spread more awareness and then the freedom to discuss it, has made a difference in how common we are perceiving it to be more recently,” Goodwin said.

Goodwin told Williams that patients often have both endometriosis and fibroids—benign growths in the uterus. Endometriosis typically causes severe menstrual pain, whereas fibroids, especially larger ones, can cause heavy bleeding and pressure on the bladder.

Fibroids are diagnosed through a pelvic exam, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Endometriosis can only be diagnosed surgically. However, treatment options like hormone therapy may be started before an official diagnosis, Goodwin said.

Goodwin encourages any women who are experiencing painful periods to talk with their OB-GYN—even if they’ve been told it’s normal. Period pain “can be assessed or evaluated to figure out what the source of that or the cause of that might be,” she said.

Goodwin recommends that patients reflect on the symptoms they’ve experienced over the past six to 12 months prior to their appointment so their physician can make an informed recommendation about treatment options.

Listen to the entire episode from the Los Angeles Sentinel.