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                Knowledge and News on Women: OWH Blog

Knowledge and News on Women: OWH Blog

                        Knowledge & News on Women: Commit to a Healthier Version of You
          Knowledge & News on Women: 2023 Women's Health Year in Review
          Knowledge & News on Women: Pregnancy Exposure Registries
          Knowledge & News on Women: Mammography Matters
          Knowledge & News on Women: National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
          Knowledge & News on Women: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Blog
          Knowledge & News on Women: Women and Heart Health
          Knowledge & News on Women: World AIDS Day 2022
          Knowledge & News on Women: Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2022
          Knowledge & News on Women: National Women's Health and Fitness Day 2022
          Knowledge & News on Women: Fibroid Awareness Month 2022
          Knowledge & News on Women: Maternal Health Matters
          Knowledge & News on Women: Endometriosis Awareness Month
          Knowledge & News on Women: Heart Health Month
          Knowledge & News on Women's Health Blog Archive Home
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          Knowledge and News on Women: OWH Blog
          Knowledge & News on Women: Fibroid Awareness Month 2022Knowledge and News on Women: OWH Blog Knowledge & News on Women: Fibroid Awareness Month 2022
  
  					From the FDA the FDA Office of Women's Health
	
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**The Power of Your Story: Meet La-Anna**

Pregnant woman in white
**Tell us a bit about yourself – Who is La-Anna Douglas?**

I am 40 years old and for over four years I have been using my platform as well as my voice to spread awareness about fibroids, infertility, and other reproductive health issues. I have been happily married to my husband Tim for over eighteen years. I am a mommy to two miracle daughters after going through eight years of infertility, eight years of secondary infertility, three laparoscopic surgeries, a failed IVF transfer and a robotic laparoscopic myomectomy. I am a survivor, writer, public speaker, model and women’s advocate.

Can you tell us about, briefly summarize, your fibroid journey?

In my early 20’s, I was diagnosed with three small fibroids, but I was told to not worry about them. My doctor said to concentrate on the other issues I was having at the time. I suffered with horrible periods since the age of 10 and I often felt I should keep quiet about my concerns. I completely forgot about the fibroids as time went on and while trying to conceive. In October of 2020, I requested a consultation because of the horrible pain I was having. After an ultrasound and an MRI, I was notified that my fibroids had grown. My options were to have a hysterectomy or a robotic laparoscopic myomectomy. I proceeded with the robotic laparoscopic myomectomy in February 2021, became pregnant in August, and gave birth to my second miracle daughter earlier this year.

What do you wish you knew earlier in your fibroid journey?

I wish I knew of the many options to help treat fibroids as it can be debilitating disease. For years, I believed my only option was to have a hysterectomy. I am so glad that my new doctor explained my options clearly which gave me the opportunity to make a choice.

Where are you now in your fibroid journey?

I am so happy, fearless, healthy and continuing to raise awareness these days. I have embraced my journey and everything that makes me who I am. I have overcome so much, and I have learned to love every part of my story. I realize that fibroids do not define who I am. It is my purpose to instill hope in those who are still suffering in silence.

How have you adjusted to being a mom of two post fibroids?

I have adjusted really well. In my 20’s I hated my body and I felt that my life wasn’t worth saving. Today, at 40, I am stronger, wiser, compassionate and I have healed both physically and spiritually. I love being a mom and I often reflect on what it took to become a mother. I also continue to think about all the women who continue to struggle with fibroids and infertility issues. My heart is with them, and I believe we are all in this fight together.

**Watch La-Anna's story below to learn more about how she has navigated living with fibroids and her journey to embracing her new life.**




Learn more about Uterine Fibroids at the following resources

Uterine Fibroids
	Download Uterine Fibroids Factsheet
	FDA’s Approves New Option to Treat Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Associated with Fibroids in Women
	FDA Takes New Steps to Increase the Safety of Laparoscopic Power Morcellators when used in Gynecologic Surgeries
	Learn more about laparoscopic power morcellators
	The FDA recommends performing contained morcellation in women when laparoscopic power morcellation is appropriate
	White Dress Project
	HHS Office of Women's Health: Uterine Fibroids
	NIH NICHD: Uterine Fibroids
	Medline Plus: Uterine FibroidsFor resources and materials on other women's health topics, visit www.fda.gov/womens.

                                                                                  Content current as of:
      09/27/2022
              
              
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			    			       			    			       PregnancyKnowledge and News on Women: OWH Blog

          
                        January 2024: Commit to a Healthier Version of You
          December 2023: Women's Health Year in Review
          November 2023: Understanding Pregnancy Exposure Registries
          October 2023: Mammography Matters
          July 2023: Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
          May 2023: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Blog
          February 2023: Women and Heart Health
          December 2022: World AIDS Day 2022
          October 2022 - Breast Cancer Awareness Month
          September 2022 - National Women's Health and Fitness Day
          July 2022 - Fibroid Awareness Month
          May 2022 - Maternal Health Matters
          March 2022 - Endometriosis Awareness Month
          February 2022 - Heart Health Month
          Knowledge & News on Women's Health Blog Archive
 
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