Listen Live
97.9 The Beat Featured Video
CLOSE

1. “Is an irregular and/or painful period something to worry about?”

Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor about painful/and or irregular periods. While most cases tend to be normal, irregular and/or painful periods are something black women need to watch out for because it can be a sign of more serious things- like fibroids. Fibroids are generally harmless. But black women have a higher incidence of developing larger, more complicated fibroids. And these types of fibroids can lead to infertility.

2. “I’ve been diagnosed with HPV- Will I get cancer?”

HPV is a very common STD. And if you’re sexually active- it’s highly likely that you’ll be infected with HPV in your lifetime. So if you’ve been diagnosed with HPV, the best thing you can do is continue to get yearly Pap smears. There are many types of HPV, and only a small fraction of them cause cervical cancer. So a diagnosis of HPV does not mean you’ll definitely get cancer.

3. “I don’t know how to do a self breast exam- Can you show me?”

There’s a tendency for patients to get shy during breast exams. And when the doctor asks if self breast exams are being done at home, there’s a tendency for patients to nod and say yes so they don’t have it sit too long with their breasts exposed. Self breast exams are important for catching cancer in the early stages, when it’s best treatable. So if you’re one of the patients like I described above, don’t be shy about having your breasts examined. And if you don’t know how to perform a self breast exam, ask your doctor to teach you

4. “It hurts when I have sex- What’s going on?”

Pain during sex can be a symptom of many things- medical and/or psychological. And the most important thing to know is this- pain during sex is not normal. So don’t just continue to have sex while ignoring the pain and hoping that it will go away. Talk to your doctor, so that they can help you identify and solve any sexual problem.

5. “Is there anything I could take for vaginal dryness?”

Vaginal dryness is very common and something that most women have to deal with- especially when getting older. But vaginal dryness doesn’t have to be a continual source of discomfort or embarrassment. In most cases vaginal dryness can be effectively treated with over the counter medications and/or temporary prescription drugs. Talk to your doctor about any symptoms of vaginal dryness so they can help alleviate the problem.

6. “How often should I get tested for STDs? And what STDs should I be tested for? “

If you’re sexually active, you should be tested for STDs at least once every three months. As far as what to be tested for, standard STD testing includes screening for common infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. But black women should also make sure to get tested for uncommon things like syphilis. Syphilis is not part of regular STD tests but black women who are (knowingly or unknowingly) having sex with homosexual black men need to watch out for syphilis because it is on the rise in these men, and can cause serious medical complications and even death.

7. “My boyfriend/husband cheated or I think they’re cheating. What should I do now? “

Getting tested for STDs isn’t something you should only do when you suspect/confirm cheating. You should be getting regularly tested for STDs. But if you think your partner is cheating (or you’ve confirmed cheating), it’s important that you and your partner get tested right away. You and your partner will need to get tested again in a few months to confirm results. And if you choose to stay with your partner, I’d suggest always using protection regularly from now on.

8. “I’ve had/I have ovarian cysts- Does that mean I’m at risk for cancer?”

Ovarian cysts are very common in black women. Most ovarian cysts resolve spontaneously and don’t pose any further risks. And having ovarian cysts does not increase the risk of having ovarian cancer. In fact, if you’re concerned about ovarian cysts and would like to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer, studies have shown that taking certain types of birth control pills can reduce both of these risks. If you’d like to know more, ask your doctor.

9. Is there anything I’m at increased risk for?

Each person is different. So depending on your personal lifestyle and genetics, there are certain things that you could be at risk for. As far as black women in general, unfortunately we are at higher risk for developing certain medical conditions- like breast cancer. So by virtue of our race and gender, it’s important that Black women stay on top of their annual doctor’s appointments.

10. “OK, I’m at risk. Is there nothing I can do to help?”

Being black women does put us at risk for certain conditions, but that is not the end-all-be-all. While we can’t control our gender, race, or genes, we can control our lifestyle. And lifestyle adjustments can significantly improve health. For example, getting rid of some of the most common bad habits, like quitting smoking, can significantly reduce the risk of developing breast cancer and cervical cancer. And these are two gynecological cancers that black women are at risk for.