About this Meetup

The Washington Uterine Fibroids Meetup Group is a woman's health initiative that focuses on providing information on treating uterine fibroids and the related concerns of fibrocystic breast disease and endometriosis. More specifically we address our meetings amidst a comfortable and friendly atmosphere conducive to learning and laughter. For all our meetings entail partaking of food or some excursion. So we are equally a ladies social club, whose members share a diverse array of common interests. Thereby our meetings are a combination of fun and information.

Yet, the impetus of our group's being staunchly remains to provide its membership with information about the gamete of options for fibroid prevention and treatment, particularly as it pertains to preventing infertility and premature menopause.

Our group's thrust is that a good patient is a proactive one. As such, in our meetings we emphasize the importance of being diligent in obtaining information about all matters affecting and or related to our health. For our belief is that:
(1) no one else has more at stake in us being healthy than we do,
SO
(2) no one else should be more zealous about our fitness
OR
(3) more familiar with our medical records than us.


We profess this creed from personal experience and or acquired knowledge about the generation(s) of women that proceeded us. In days gone pass, the mode of the day was that a good patient was one who did not ask her health care provider questions. Medical recommendations were accepted in trust. Hence, to this day the word patient is one and the same with the word patient which means to show or subjugate one's self to patience.

By and large this system of medical etiquette does have advantages. For it discourages patients from displaying hasty behavior in their attempt to get well. In turn, this often is effective in precluding attempts to seek out quick fix remedies that could be lethal.

Further, this protocol also provides an atmosphere of trust between health care providers and patients. Considering that most of us are better off in our doctors' hands than in our own, the psychological comfort of believing that someone else can better answer our medical concerns is a welcomed need.

Nevertheless, their are drawbacks to this traditional treatment protocol.

Some patients exemplify their self-imposed station of patience by enduring unnecessary pain and suffering in total silence. In turn, this breeds a sense of alienation and loads of self doubt. So by the time such a person meets with their health care providers their only responses or conversational exchange is limited to "yes", "no" and "may be so".

This feeling of inadequacy transcribes to a reluctance to ask questions when seeking medical advice. For such patients live under the cloak of fear that asking questions of one's health care provider could be viewed as an insult to professional credentials or a breach of trust. Further along the guise of this self doubt, such patients render their intuition or perception of the treatment being rendered to them as unsubstantial, a figment of their faulty thinking or lack of medical know how. On the opposing end of this system health care providers are ideally believed to always know best.

Yet, statistics show that patients who make attempts at understanding the reasoning behind the medical recommendations provided to them, are more likely to be informed about other available options that better suit their personal needs and goals. In turn, they are more likely to be satisfied after treatment. For no one knows you better than you know yourself. Further, everyone's thoughts and expectations differ. So what your medical provider may prescribe for you in good faith may not always be what you consider to be the best option.

Nevertheless, every year following the traditional protocol of treatment, a surmountable number of women undergo hysterectomies, in lieu of not knowing about other forms of fibroid treatments. Among them, a nationally acclaimed personality whose story is a testament to our group's mission. That being said, in lieu of stories like hers, there are two dynamic national figures that are at the forefront of change.

To read more about these personalities and to learn more about fibroids and their treatment options, you may apply for membership by clicking on the sign up tab. Tell us why you think you should be a member.

Hope to see you at our next meeting!