Examine uterine fibroids through the lens of Sharon Stone’s personal experience.
Have you ever been misdiagnosed? In November 2022, 64-year-old actress and mum, Sharon Vonne Stone shared that she was wrongly diagnosed and had to seek a second opinion to learn about her uterine fibroids.
Uterine fibroids are benign growths that originate from the uterus(womb). The NCBI estimates that by age 50, 70% of women will have one or more uterine fibroids, with around 30% of them being symptomatic.
Although noncancerous, these muscular growths come with signs, symptoms and implications that are harmful to women’s health. Accurate diagnosis helps to ensure personalized care and appropriate treatment.
In this read, you’ll get to explore uterine fibroids using Sharon Stone’s story.
Understanding Uterine Fibroids
Also referred to as Leiomyomas, uterine fibroids are the result of abnormal growth of the uterine muscles. They form in or on the uterus and can be intramural, submucosal, subserosal or pedunculated.
Intramural fibroids are embedded in the wall of the uterus while submucosal ones form in the uterine space. Subserosal fibroids form outside the uterus and can even extend to the pelvic area. Pedunculated fibroids have the semblance of mushrooms. They attach to the uterus with a stalk.
Although the exact cause of fibroids is unknown, studies show that exposure to high levels of estrogen and progesterone plays a role here. This may be in the form of hormonal contraceptives or even pregnancy. Obesity, family history, early menstruation and late menopause are also risk factors to consider.
Small fibroids are generally harmless. The bigger ones are typically accompanied by increased painful bleeding during and between periods, painful sex, frequent urination, constipation, bloating, back pain, pelvic pain and prolonged vaginal discharge.
Getting diagnosed early and correctly helps reduce the risk of complications like unbearable pelvic pain, urinary retention, kidney failure, crushed organs, miscarriages and infertility.
This brings us to Stone’s personal health journey.
Sharon Stone’s Journey with Uterine Fibroids
Sharon Stone has always been all about women’s health. From brain health to reproductive health, the Total Recall star shares her stories openly, encouraging women to advocate for themselves, especially when it comes to healthcare.
Stone’s journey began with persistent abdominal pain which is a common symptom of uterine fibroids. So much of the health industry is geared toward men and a lot of what happens with women is met with PMS diagnoses and birth control pills.
In Stone’s words, “Ladies in particular: Don’t get blown off. GET A SECOND OPINION. It can save your life.”.
Start by requesting female doctors as they are more likely to empathize with you. Also, they typically have a better understanding of women-specific health issues and may even have similar personal experiences.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Stone mentioned that male doctors often dismissed her.
“When I get dismissed, I think, ‘Oh, I need to go to a woman because I need to see someone who is going to see me and experience me and discuss what is happening with me.”
In addition, do some research. Fibroids are usually diagnosed through pelvic exams, ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans and hysteroscopy, a process which involves using a camera device to examine your uterus. Knowing this gives you the confidence to request the appropriate tests for diagnosis.
What To Do After Your Diagnosis
The first step is to educate yourself. Understanding your condition helps you make informed decisions about your health. Learn everything about uterine fibroids, the symptoms, signs, complications, diagnosis and treatment. This post is a good start!
Explore treatment options with your healthcare provider. Depending on the size of the fibroids, your options can range from lifestyle changes to medication or surgical intervention. Discuss the upsides and downsides of each one with your physician to know which is best for you.
Seek support. Meet regularly with people going through a similar experience or see a counsellor. Recovery requires managing the physical and emotional burden that uterine fibroids bring.
Follow-up. Stay in contact with your healthcare provider for effective monitoring of the fibroids. Regular follow-up visits also help your physician know how well your treatment plan is working.
If you’re considering having kids, fertility planning is another important step. Discuss fertility preservation options like egg freezing with your healthcare provider.
Since your healthcare provider plays a major role in your diagnosis and recovery, ensure you choose someone who listens actively and has your best interests at heart.
Takeaway
Dear woman, you are deserving, and so is your health. Sharon Stone’s uterine fibroids story powerfully illustrates the pervasive issue of misdiagnosis in women’s healthcare and the need for women to be health advocates, especially for themselves.
Her experience shows the challenges many women face in diagnosing gynecological conditions due to a lack of awareness, medical bias, and the normalization of symptoms.
Thankfully, Stone is now getting the care she deserves, and so can you.