I was two days away from a trip abroad when I thought I had developed appendicitis. I felt a sharp pain in my lower abdomen that doubled me over, and I immediately went to the ER, where I was given an ultrasound. The good news: It wasn't appendicitis. The bad news: There was a 10-cm mass over one ovary and a 7-cm one over the other. The ER doctor said she thought they were fibroids and that I should see my ob/gyn. But I actually had already seen an ob/gyn, and she had told me not to worry.
AGONIZING MONTHLY PAIN
About two years before that ER visit, I had started to feel pain in my kidney on my left side. It would happen about a week or two before my period, and it was intense. I had an ultrasound then, and my gynecologist told me I had two small fibroids, each about 1 cm to 2 cm wide. I was assured that I didn't need to worry about them because they were so small; she would look at them again at my next annual checkup. But then the world shut down because of COVID, and like many others I went without a checkup for two years.
I pushed through pain that continued to intensify, seeing clients as a therapist and baby-planning with my partner. But my periods kept getting worse, lasting eight or nine days each month, and the symptoms multiplied. It wasn't until that ER visit in November 2021 that I found out that the fibroids had kept growing and were causing the pain.
STYMIED BY INSURANCE
Esta historia es de la edición March 2023 de Prevention US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 2023 de Prevention US.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 8500 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
THIS IS YOUR BRAIN ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Living on our HEATING PLANET doesn't just affect our lungs, hearts, and immune systems but also can HARM OUR BRAINS' HEALTH, affecting our moods and behavior. Read on to know WHAT TO LOOK FOR AND HOW TO COPE.
SOLUTIONS Soothe a Sunburn
Expert-backed ways to ease the ouch and prevent burns in the first place.
HOW TO BUY IT Cooling Towels
These high-tech must-haves can help you beat the heat.
The Silver Palette
Complement gray hair with these tips from a makeup pro.
5 MYTHS ABOUT HANGOVERS
If last night's ale is still ailing you, you'll do anything to quench the throb. Here's the truth about the morning after, so you can recover fast.
The gut health CHEAT SHEET
Cut down on fried foods, ultra-processed foods, red and processed meats, alcohol, and sugary drinks, which can negatively impact gut health
7 WAYS to TAKE CARE of Your Gut
Research shows that people who get more sleep or have a high sleep efficiency (meaning they fall asleep quickly and stay asleep) have a more diverse mix of bacteria in their guts than people who sleep less or have more frequently interrupted sleep.
The ABC'S of IBS
THE GUT IS A COMPLICATED THE THINGS TPL PLACE, AND SOMETIMES THINGS CAN GET OUT OF SYNC THERE, leading to belly pain, mad dashes to the bathroom, and other symptoms.
Your Stomach's SECRET LIFE
YOU KNOW HOW WHEN YOU'RE YOU'RE NERVOUS you get butterflies in your stomach, or you can feel tired and logy all day when you're constipated?
All About P-BIOTICS
SUPPLEMENTS CONTAINING PREBIOTICS, PROBIOTICS, AND POSTBIOTICS are very hot, but the truth is, these nutrients and microorganisms are available through a well-rounded diet. Here's what each P does for your gut.
