The Uterine Exchange: Our Blog

Conversations about uterine health often remain hushed and private, which perpetuates stigma and lack of knowledge about the real effects of these conditions.

It’s time to break the silence.

Talk with your sisters, aunties, grandmas, cousins, and friends about your experience so we can collectively create a space of understanding, support, and empowerment amongst Black women. Sharing our experiences can help dispel myths, reduce stigma, and encourage early detection and prevention.

Let’s build a stronger, healthier community together.

Kayla Nixon Kayla Nixon

Keloids and Fibroids: A Shared Genetic Predisposition?

If you’ve ever had a keloid or been diagnosed with fibroids, it might be important for you to know there may be a connection between the two. We know from research that more than 80% of Black women will be diagnosed with fibroids by age 50, but new research is helping us understand how fibroids and keloids might be connected, especially for Black women.

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Kayla Nixon Kayla Nixon

The Unnecessary Harm of C-Sections and Hysterectomies: How Black Women Are Still Affected by Systemic Racism in Healthcare

In 2024, it’s difficult to believe that racial disparities in healthcare persist at alarming rates. But for Black women, the healthcare system often presents challenges beyond those of their white counterparts, even when the medical history is the same. One of the most startling and concerning patterns involves the overuse of C-sections and hysterectomies. Recent studies have illuminated the stark contrast in treatment between Black and white women, particularly when it comes to these invasive and life-altering procedures.

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Kayla Nixon Kayla Nixon

Unraveling the Link: Hair Relaxers and the Risk of Fibroids and Uterine Cancer

In recent years, research has suggested a potential link between the use of hair relaxers or chemical straighteners and conditions like uterine cancer, fibroids, and even breast and ovarian cancer. Given that a majority of Black women grew up using these products and the mentioned conditions are statistically more often diagnosed in Black women, it’s not hard to see why Black women have latched onto this research, spread it amongst ourselves, and expressed ongoing frustration about it.

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Kayla Nixon Kayla Nixon

IUD Insertion—What Is It Really Like?: A Guide for Black Women

Let’s be forreal—getting an IUD inserted is incredibly painful. For Black women, this pain can be exacerbated by systemic issues in healthcare, where our pain is often overlooked or dismissed. This article details the IUD insertion procedure, steps Black women can take to make the process more manageable, and questions to ask a doctor before committing to the process.

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Fertility Kayla Nixon Fertility Kayla Nixon

What If I Can’t Have Children? Exploring Fertility & Cryopreservation for Black Women

Black women have higher rates of infertility than White women, and despite the higher rate of infertility, are less likely to use in vitro fertilization. Infertility is often mentioned as a symptom of uterine cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), fibroids, and endometriosis. Let’s explore what it looks like for a Black woman to invest in egg freezing after a cancer diagnosis, what the process looks like, and the pros and cons of cryopreservation.

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Advocacy Kayla Nixon Advocacy Kayla Nixon

Self-Advocacy: Nine Strategies for Black Women Taking Charge of Their Health

In a perfect world, it would be nice if when Black women entered a medical setting, we were given what we need because it’s the right thing to do.

We live in a world in which Serena Williams’ symptoms of birth complications were disregarded in a hospital after giving birth to her daughter. We live in a world where Black influencer Jessica Pettway passed away because of misdiagnosis.

Explore nine strategies that help you advocate for yourself to get the treatment and care you need for your uterine health condition.

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Emotional Support Kayla Nixon Emotional Support Kayla Nixon

Understanding Uterine Health: A Guide for Male Partners

When your partner is diagnosed with a uterine health condition like cancer, fibroids, endometriosis, or PCOS, it can be a challenging and overwhelming time for both of you. It may impact male partners' emotions, introducing feelings of helplessness, frustration, worry and anger. You can take the time to learn how to navigate the intimate nature of uterine health conditions together.

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