RESOURCES
An estimated 26 million women ages 15 to 50 in the United States have fibroids. Endometriosis impacts 190 women worldwide. Nearly 5 million women in the United States live with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
This Fibroids Awareness Month, learn more about the impact of a variety of uterine health conditions on women's health across the lifespan.
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Check Out the SWHR Uterine Fibroids Toolkit
Fibroids can develop in any individual after the onset of their menstrual cycle. Although fibroids are most commonly diagnosed in individuals in their 30s and 40s, they can occur in adolescents and postmenopausal adults. Fibroids tend to increase during the reproductive years and then shrink after menopause.
These growths are non-malignant and are not associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer, but they can result in mild to severe side effects and can affect one’s quality of life.
SWHR’s toolkit is designed to empower individuals with uterine fibroids in navigating their care. Read the Uterine Fibroids Toolkit: A Patient Empowerment Guide!
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While PCOS is often diagnosed after an individual experiences menstruation issues or infertility, this chronic condition impacts more than just ovulation. In the Exploring PCOS Throughout the Body Fact Sheet, learn how PCOS impacts mental health, heart health, and reproductive health in women. | |
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Many girls have irregular bleeding and experience unusual pains during the first two years of their period, before their cycles become more regular (happening every 4–5 weeks). However, extremely painful periods are not normal. Read the Endometriosis Toolkit: A Guide For Teens to learn tips support teens living with endometriosis.
The toolkit is also available in Spanish, Kit de Herramientas para la Endometriosis: Guía para Adolescentes!
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For every 10 women in your life, at least one of them likely has endometriosis.
This chronic and often debilitating disease can be difficult to live with, both physically and emotionally.
SWHR’s toolkit is designed to empower individuals with endometriosis in navigating their care: Endometriosis Toolkit: A Patient Empowerment Guide.
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Advocate for uterine health funding!
Despite its prevalence, the exact cause of endometriosis is still unknown, and research into endometriosis has been underfunded and under prioritized. The Endometriosis Advocacy Toolkit was created by the Society with support from Endo What?, Endo Black, Inc., Endometriosis Foundation of America, and The Endo Co., in order to support endometriosis advocates in contacting their congressional representatives and asking for increased funding for endometriosis research and care.
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Read more about uterine health on our blog! | |
NEWS AND RESEARCH
SWHR Working Group members have produced the following news, research, and resources related to uterine health:
News and Research
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American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology: Multiomic analysis of uterine leiomyomas in self-described Black and White women: molecular insights into health disparities, submitted by James Segars, MD, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
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Asian Journal of Urology: Metabolic syndrome and the urinary microbiome of patients undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy, submitted by Alan Wolfe, PhD, Loyola University Chicago
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Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology: Urine microbiome in individuals with an impaired immune system, submitted by Alan Wolfe, PhD, Loyola University Chicago
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Radiology: Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound Consensus on Routine Pelvic US for Endometriosis, submitted by Wendaline VanBuren, MD, Mayo Clinic
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Science: ‘A watershed moment’ for a shadow disease: first state-mandated endometriosis biorepository launches in Connecticut, submitted by Elise T. Courtois, PhD, The Jackson Laboratory
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Stem Cell Research & Therapy: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes shuttle microRNAs to endometrial stromal fibroblasts that promote tissue proliferation /regeneration/ and inhibit differentiation, submitted by Hugh S. Taylor, MD, Yale School of Medicine
Events and Resources
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Bill:The White Dress Project endorses The Uterine Fibroid Intervention and Gynecological Health and Treatment Act (U-Fight Act), submitted byTadena Simpson, The White Dress Project
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Blog: EndoRISE launch marks new era in endometriosis research and support, submitted by Elise T. Courtois, PhD, The Jackson Laboratory
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Blog: Learn more about endometriosis, how game-based health interventions and the future of endometriosis care, submitted by Jhumka Gupta, ScD, MPH, George Mason University College of Public Health
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Event: 2024 Empowerment Experience, submitted by Tadena Simpson, The White Dress Project
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Event: EndoEcho Educational Workshop, submitted by Lauren Kornegay, EndoBlack
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Event: Endo Black Meet and Greet: An endometriosis-themed flea market and end-of-the-year celebration in August. To learn more, email lauren.kornegay@endoblack.org, submitted by Lauren Kornegay, EndoBlack
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Event: PINK Collection Drive: a semi-annual call to collect donations of non-toxic menstrual products, which you can purchase online, submitted by Lauren Kornegay, EndoBlack
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Resource: EndoRISE: A community to advance Endometriosis Research, Innovation, Support & Education, submitted by Heather C. Guidone, BCPA, The Center for Endometriosis Care
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Story: Endometrial Cancer Survivor Story: LeLisa, submitted by Morgan Newman, MSW, Cervivor, Inc.
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Study: ENDO-Served: A study to understand the endometriosis experiences of Black and other Women of Color, submitted by Jhumka Gupta, PhD, George Mason University and Lauren Kornegay, EndoBlack
Know something SWHR should read? Reply to this email or tag us on social media at @SWHR!
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July is #FibroidAwarenessMonth. Fibroids are non-malignant growths of the uterus and are one of the most common gynecological conditions worldwide. This month, join @SWHR as #SWHRtalksFibroids. Learn more in SWHR’s Uterine Fibroids Toolkit! https://swhr.org/resources/uterine-fibroids-toolkit-a-patient-empowerment-guide/ | |
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Despite its prevalence, the exact cause of #endometriosis is still unknown, and research into endometriosis has been under prioritized. Use this new Endometriosis Advocacy Toolkit from @SWHR to advocate for more endometriosis care funding! https://swhr.org/resources/endometriosis-advocacy-toolkit/
#SWHRtalksEndometriosis
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Check out the #SWHRtalksPCOS fact sheet now to learn more about how PCOS impacts mental health, heart health, and reproductive health in women. Visit the @SWHR webiat at https://swhr.org/health_focus_area/polycystic-ovary-syndrome/ and download your FREE fact sheet today! | |
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Our work is only possible with the help of great partners. Check out one of our uterine health partners here!
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The White Dress Project
The White Dress Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising global awareness about the uterine fibroid epidemic through education, research, community, and advocacy. The White Dress Project achieves its mission by educating individuals on fibroids and their treatment options, fostering research, advocating for better health, and building a supportive community so that women no longer have to suffer in silence when living with fibroids. For more information about The White Dress Project, visit http://www.thewhitedressproject.org.
Join The White Dress Project This July
The White Dress Project is celebrating 10 years of impact in spreading awareness on the widespread occurrence of uterine fibroids during Fibroid Awareness Month! And you are invited to help them celebrate! Join The White Dress Project at the 2024 EmPOWERment Experience July 11 to July 13 at the luxurious Conrad Washington, DC. The 3-day weekend will feature multiple events, including panel discussions, a Zumba session, an "Ignite in White" Photoshoot, the signature Night in White Fundraising gala, and more! Meet SWHR at the event: the Society will be exhibiting at this event.
The White Dress Project is offering a 20% discount to the SWHR community. Use discount code PARTNER20 and register for this year's EmPOWERment Experience here: 2024 Empowerment Experience — The White Dress Project
How is The White Dress Project Advocating for Fibroid Awareness
The White Dress Project, alongside several partner organizations, endorsed The Uterine Fibroid Intervention and Gynecological Health and Treatment Act (U-Fight Act) and delivered remarks showing its support of the legislation in Washington, DC on May 16, 2024. Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) introduced the U-Fight Act to authorize grants to increase early detection and intervention of uterine fibroids.
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All SWHR resources are free to view and share. Here's why: An estimated 26 million women ages 15-50 in the United States have uterine fibroids, but these statistics are often underestimated. | | |
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