It's A Sistah Thing A Guide to Understanding and Dealing With Fibroids for Black Women

by Brown, Monique; Obiakor, Ifeanyi C.O.

• ISBN13: 9780758200655
• ISBN10: 075820065X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-09-01
• Publisher: Kensington

Summary

Monique R. Brown, a senior editor for Black Enterprise Magazine, an award-winning journalist, and herself a fibroid sufferer for five years, has written a book that combines her own story with an action plan for empowering other women to take control of their situations and to get the help and relief they need. In "It's a Sistah Thing," Brown provides the latest facts, the best treatments, and valuable insider tips on coping, along with a step-by-step plan to help a sister make informed and confident choices. Each chapter opens with a specific challenge; then presents anecdotes from African American women who share their experiences and insights; comments from various medical professionals and the author herself; and a solution to the challenge in the form of a solid plan of action for the reader.

Table of Contents

Foreword	vii
Acknowledgments	xi
Introduction	1	(6)
Why Me?
Understanding Fibroids in Black Women	7	(19)
Sizing Up Your Symptoms
Looking at How Fibroids Affect Your Body	26	(14)
What's Up Doc?
Establishing Clear Communication Between You and Your Physician	40	(22)
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions
Choosing a Treatment That's Right for You	62	(16)
Doctor's ``Can Do'' List
Making an Assessment of Conventional Medicine's Offerings	78	(29)
Au Naturel Remedies
Evaluating Nontraditional Fibroid-Fighting Alternatives	107	(21)
The F-Word
Managing Your Fibroids Through Your food Intake	128	(19)
Fibroid Shape-Up
Exercise Your May Way to Relief	147	(14)
Techniques of Touch
Acupuncture, Massage Therapy, Reflexology and Other Bodywork	161	(25)
Heal Thyself
Prayer (and Positive Thinking) Changes Things	186	(13)
Pillow Talk
How Fibroids Can Affect Your Sex Life	199	(10)
Copycat Syndromes
Other Conditions Resembling Fibroids	209	(9)
Oh Baby!
Ho Fibroids Can Affect Your Fertility	218	(10)
No Baby!
Contraceptive Choices for Women with Fibroids	228	(15)
Making Connections
Building a Support Team You Can Count On	243	(12)
Epilogue	255	(2)
Glossary	257	(8)
Resources	265	(12)
Notes	277	(8)
Index	285