Dr Cheryl Okoli, an advanced practice nurse and healthcare leader, discusses uterine fibroids, which she calls "unwelcome uterine guests." Dr Okoli explains that fibroids are non-cancerous uterine tumors ranging from microscopic to watermelon-sized, likely linked to estrogen dominance, and affecting any woman of childbearing age, with higher prevalence and more severe symptoms in Black women (60% by age 35 and 80% by 50 vs. 40% and 70% in Caucasians). She reviews symptomatic signs, including heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, bulk/pressure, anaemia, urinary frequency, infertility, and quality-of-life impacts, using the acronym FIBROIDS. She describes diagnosis by ultrasound/MRI, the importance of fibroid location, and treatments including watchful waiting, medications (e.g., Lupron), iron/pain control, UAE/UFE, MR-guided focused ultrasound, myomectomy, and hysterectomy, plus studies on vitamin D and green tea extract (EGCG) combinations to shrink fibroids.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

01:49 What Are Uterine Fibroids?

03:35 Who Is Susceptible?

05:56 Symptoms of Fibroids

14:16 Early Screening Proposal

15:23 The F.I.B.R.O.I.D.S. Acronym

18:53 Fibroid Positions & Fertility

21:58 Treatment Options

28:57 The Vitamin D & Green Tea Cocktail

Resources:

- Dr. Al Hendy's prescription (Timestamp 27:57):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6g8oq5mnC0

- Italian Study:

Grandi G, Del Savio MC, Melotti C, et al. Vitamin D and green tea extracts for the treatment of uterine fibroids in late reproductive life: a pilot, prospective, daily-diary based study. Gynecol Endocrinol. Published online October 16, 2021. doi:10.1080/09513590.2021.1991909

https://www.contemporaryobgyn.net/view/vitamin-d-and-green-tea-extract-for-treatment-of-uterine-fibroids

Get In Touch:

If you're interested in connecting with Dr Cheryl Okoli, you can reach her via her website (http://www.shalomeagleswings.care ), via Facebook(https://www.facebook.com/people/Shalom-Eagles-Wings/100063898004527/#), or via her LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-cheryl-stella-okoli-dha/ ).

For those interested in sharing their own stories on "Chatting with the Experts," reach out to Paula Okonneh through her website at chattingwiththeexperts.com or connect via LinkedIn.