The Invisible Weight: Misdiagnosis, Mental Strain, and the Fight for Fibroid Care
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Published by Puure Wellness | Fibroid Awareness Month
Uterine fibroids, noncancerous tumors that grow in or around the uterus, affect an estimated 70% of women by age 50. While they’re common, the emotional and mental toll they take is anything but ordinary.
For many women, the journey to a diagnosis is filled with frustration, uncertainty, and repeated dismissal. Pain is normalized. Symptoms are overlooked. And the pressure to just “push through it” becomes unbearable.
At Puure, we believe in caring for the whole woman not just her physical body, but her emotional well-being too. That begins with acknowledging the full impact of fibroids and calling out the systems that fail so many.
🧠 The Mental Load No One Talks About
Imagine bleeding so heavily you’re afraid to leave your home. Scheduling your life around pain. Taking sick days you can’t afford. And being told, “It’s just a bad period.”
For millions of women, this is daily life with fibroids.
According to a study published in Contemporary OB/GYN, women with fibroids are at a 12% higher risk of anxiety and depression, and a 46% higher risk of self-directed violence, particularly those with pain and heavy bleeding. [Source]
This condition isn’t just physical it deeply affects your emotional, professional, and social life. The stress of missed work, strained relationships, fertility fears, and repeated dismissal by healthcare providers can feel like too much to bear.
🩺 Misdiagnosis: A Common, Costly Reality
Although fibroids affect 1 in 4 women symptomatically, it takes an average of 3.6 years to receive a diagnosis—and most women see two or more doctors before they’re taken seriously. [PMC Study]
Many women are told:
- “It’s just part of being a woman.”
- “You’re overreacting.”
- “We’ll monitor it for now.”
But this isn’t just bad advice, it’s a reflection of a healthcare system that often fails to prioritize women’s pain, especially when it comes to reproductive health. The result? Delayed care, unnecessary suffering, and missed opportunities for non-invasive treatment options.
✊🏾 Reclaiming Power Through Advocacy
The healthcare system may not always listen. But you don’t have to stay silent. Here's how to advocate for yourself and reclaim your power:
- 📓 Track Your Symptoms: Keep a journal detailing your cycles, pain levels, fatigue, and how symptoms impact your daily life.
- 🖼 Request Imaging: Ask your provider for an ultrasound or MRI if you suspect fibroids. Don’t be afraid to push for diagnostic tests.
- 🔁 Seek a Second Opinion: If you feel dismissed or unheard, it’s okay to find a new doctor who will take your concerns seriously.
- 👭 Bring a Support Person: Having an advocate by your side at appointments can help ensure your voice is heard and your concerns are documented.
🌿 Puure’s Perspective: Wellness Starts With Listening to Your Body
At Puure, we know that true wellness means honoring your body in every way. That’s why we create organic cotton underwear free from toxic chemicals, designed with comfort, breathability, and your long-term health in mind.
But our mission goes deeper than clean materials. We’re building a brand rooted in education, empowerment, and advocacy because what touches your skin should never compromise your health.
Whether you’re managing fibroids, navigating a diagnosis, or learning to trust your body again. Puure is here to support you every step of the way.
💬 Let’s Talk About It
If you’ve struggled with fibroids, misdiagnosis, or feeling dismissed by your provider—you’re not alone.
🖤 Join us this Fibroid Awareness Month as we break the silence on reproductive health.
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📱 Follow the conversation on @shoppuure and share your story with us.
Your story matters. Your pain is real. And you deserve better.
