When I first signed up to attend a fibroid awareness event, I was filled with excitement and hope. I had been living with fibroids for a while and was eager to learn more about the causes, possible solutions, and lifestyle changes that could help me manage my symptoms. Like many others, I expected to leave with a better understanding of how to take control of my health naturally or at least with some practical tools that would empower me to make informed choices about my body.
But as the night went on, my expectations and assumptions were quickly turned upside down.
The Reality Behind the Event
From the beginning, I noticed that the event didn’t quite have the supportive and educational vibe I was hoping for. As I listened to the women on the panel, I realized that the focus wasn’t on a wide variety of treatment options or holistic lifestyle alternatives. Instead, the conversation seemed to revolve around one main procedure—fibroid embolization. This procedure is a minimally invasive treatment where the blood supply to the fibroids is blocked, causing them to shrink.
At first, I was open to learning more about embolization, as it could be a viable option for many women. But the more I listened, the more I realized that the panelists, who were mainly there to promote their doctors’ services, weren’t offering much insight into the root causes of fibroids or how to manage them naturally. The entire discussion felt like a sales pitch for the procedure, rather than a balanced conversation about all the different paths women could take in their fibroid journey.
Where Was the Focus on Lifestyle and Prevention?
One thing that bothered me deeply was the complete lack of emphasis on lifestyle changes that could prevent or manage fibroids. We know that fibroid growth can be influenced by factors like diet, stress, and hormonal imbalances, so I expected at least some discussion around these topics. I was looking for advice on how to balance hormones naturally, how to incorporate fibroid-friendly foods into my diet, or how to reduce stress to improve overall health.
But that never happened. Instead, the panelists barely touched on lifestyle modifications, and the alternatives to medical procedures were mostly glossed over. It was frustrating because fibroids are not just a medical condition that can be “fixed” with one procedure. They’re connected to overall health, and ignoring the role that lifestyle plays felt like a missed opportunity to truly educate and empower the women in the room.
The Processed Food Dilemma
Perhaps the most confusing and frustrating part of the night was when we were offered snacks during the event. Now, I expected there to be healthy, fibroid-friendly options—something to reinforce the idea of nourishing our bodies. But what did we get? Processed junk food.
The irony of being served processed, sugary snacks at a health awareness event was almost laughable. Fibroids thrive on inflammation and hormonal imbalance, both of which can be worsened by unhealthy, processed foods. So why were we, a group of women attending an event to learn more about managing fibroids, being offered the exact kind of food that can contribute to their growth? It didn’t make sense.
This moment was a wake-up call for me. It made me realize that many health awareness events are not really about empowering people to take control of their health. Instead, they often focus on promoting procedures, products, or services that may not even address the root causes of the condition in question. It felt like the event was more about marketing than true awareness and education.
The Larger Issue with Health Awareness Events
The experience left me with more questions than answers. Why are we so often given half the picture at these events? Why is there such a strong emphasis on medical procedures without addressing the everyday choices that could help prevent or manage conditions like fibroids? The lack of holistic education felt like a disservice to the women in the room, many of whom were there, like me, to learn how to live better and feel better.
I’m not saying that procedures like fibroid embolization don’t have their place—they absolutely do for many women. But health awareness should be about presenting all the options, from medical treatments to lifestyle changes, so that we can make informed decisions about our bodies. It shouldn’t be about pushing one procedure or service, especially when it doesn’t address the bigger picture of health.
My Takeaway: A Call for Better Awareness
After that night, I realized that I have to be my own advocate. While health awareness events can be helpful, they often come with an agenda that might not always align with my needs or values. That’s why it’s so important to do our own research, seek out holistic information, and ask critical questions. Health is not one-size-fits-all, and we deserve to know about every tool and option available to us.
For anyone attending a health event in the future, I encourage you to go in with an open mind but also a critical one. Look out for what’s missing in the conversation and don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. True awareness should empower you with knowledge, not leave you feeling confused or pressured into one path.
I left that fibroid awareness event with a sense of frustration, but also with the clarity that my journey to managing fibroids is my own. And it’s going to involve a lot more than just one procedure—it’s going to involve nourishing my body, managing my stress, and making the choices that feel right for me.