Darlene’s Story: “I Want to Bring Awareness to Fibroids”
Darlene Charles has always led an active lifestyle. As an active swimmer and personal trainer, she spends a lot of her time in athletic wear, working out and training clients. But in 2023, she started to notice a significant change in her body. "I started having really heavy periods, and I had no idea why I was bleeding so much," she says. At first, she tried to push through, but the heavier flow quickly began to impact her daily life and confidence. "With the heavy flow, I lived in constant fear of having leaks."
‘I Have Fibroids?’
After speaking with her primary care provider, Darlene was referred to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Boston Medical Center. After several tests, Darlene learned she had fibroids. "Fibroids? I was like what? I had heard of fibroids but honestly didn't know much about them" Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that can grow in and around the uterus. "Fibroids, though very common, can cause very serious symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pain, and impact to surrounding organs," explains Dr. Nyia Noel, an OB/GYN and director of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at BMC. "Heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to severe anemia that can impact other systems of the body." In some cases, fibroids can even cause infertility and miscarriage. When Darlene mentioned her diagnosis to her mom, she learned she had a family history of fibroids. "It felt like I was suddenly getting all this information that no one talks about," she says.
Minimally Invasive Options
Darlene ultimately chose to proceed with a hysteroscopy, a minimally invasive surgery to remove the fibroids. She also opted for the placement of an intrauterine device (IUD). "I learned that with the IUD I would have a lighter period or no period at all, and that was appealing to me," she says. According to Dr. Noel, uterine-sparing procedures like hysteroscopy, uterine fibroid embolization, and radiofrequency ablation have become increasingly accessible. "These options reduce symptoms while keeping the uterus in place and avoiding major surgery."
A Life-Changing Study
In February 2024, Darlene had her procedure with Dr. Noel. "The surgery has been a game changer for me," says Darlene. "I can live my life again and don't have to worry about bleeding through my clothes." But the biggest difference in her life was enrolling in an eight-week fibroids research study to educate and support women with fibroids. "Dr. Noel reached out a few months after my surgery and asked if I wanted to participate, and I'm so glad I did." They asked about our symptoms and how we were feeling, then provided education about living with fibroids and discussed our treatment options in detail," says Darlene. "It was just wonderful to be a part of a group of women and to hear them say, 'Oh my gosh, I went through that. I feel that.'"
Passing on Advice to Other Women
If you currently have fibroids or are experiencing symptoms, Darlene has some thoughtful advice to share: Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions if you notice any changes in your body. Advocate for yourself by writing down your symptoms so you can track them over time and speak up during appointments. She also encourages women to share their stories: "No one talks about fibroids, so you never know who's going through the same thing. When I spoke about what happened to me, it resonated with two of my best friends." Most importantly, Darlene emphasizes the value of getting support. Whether it comes from friends, health care providers, or other women living with fibroids, support makes all the difference. "It literally brought tears to my eyes, knowing that Dr. Noel and her team were there to advocate for me and support me. Because at one point in 2023, I felt like I was alone. I thought, 'Why is no one else going through this?' Now, I feel like I have the knowledge I need to understand my condition and to advocate for myself and take care of myself."