Reproductive issues like cysts and fibroids impact a majority of African women over their lifetimes

Key Points:

• Evelyn Okinyi Owala, a Kenyan professional bodybuilder, suffered from severe ovarian cysts and related symptoms for years before seeking medical help at age 30, when surgery initially failed to prevent recurrence.
• Instead of further surgery, Owala adopted a lifestyle change involving regular exercise and a modified diet, which she credits with resolving her cysts within four months, confirmed by ultrasound.
• Ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids are common reproductive health issues affecting millions of women globally, with African women experiencing some of the highest rates but facing significant barriers to diagnosis and treatment due to cost, stigma, and reliance on traditional healers.
• Dr. Frances Wurie in Sierra Leone highlights the lack of reproductive health education and cultural taboos that prevent women from seeking medical care, and she actively works to educate young people about their bodies and reproductive health.
• Both Owala and medical professionals emphasize the importance of lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity in managing reproductive health, while acknowledging that lifestyle changes are not a substitute for necessary medical treatment.