Menstrual Pain is Not Normal.

Black women encounter unique challenges regarding menstruation and endometriosis. Cultural stigmas, minimization of pain, and limited access to proper reproductive healthcare persist as significant issues. When it comes to menstruation, Black women often confront cultural taboos deeply ingrained in their communities. These taboos foster incorrect perceptions about menstruation and hinder communication on the subject, thus impacting access to menstrual hygiene products and appropriate care.

Endometriosis is a chronic and progressive condition when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (womb) grows outside of the uterus. These cells respond and bleed with cyclic hormonal fluctuations typically causing pain, scarring, and bloating throughout the menstrual cycle. This condition often leads to severe pain, menstrual disorders, and heavy bleeding, significantly limiting daily activities and affecting physical and mental health. Many Black women suffer silently and unknowingly from this condition.

Diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis pose challenges for Black women, with healthcare professionals often minimizing their pain and symptoms, resulting in delayed diagnosis and unequal access to specialized care. Additionally, financial, logistical, and cultural barriers further impede treatment, exacerbating health disparities.

Unfortunately, discriminatory practices persist in medical and gynecological professions, significantly impacting the health and well-being of Black women. Historically, enslaved Black women were subjected to traumatic medical experiments without consent, such as those of Dr. J. Marion Sims. The inferior status of Black women in slave societies has significantly contributed to sustaining these practices For centuries, Black women have endured medical practices violating their dignity, perpetuated by the misconception that they have higher tolerance for pain. This perception persists in some healthcare environments today, leading to injustices in pain treatment and medical conditions among Black women

Despite medicine’s tendency to dismiss women’s pain experiences in general, Black women are particularly disproportionately affected.. Indeed, although 72% of patients diagnosed with endometriosis are white, only about 5% are Black. However, this disparity does not reflect a lesser prevalence among Black women. Unfortunately, Black women often experience longer delays in diagnosis and are less likely to receive surgery for endometriosis, leading to increased post-surgical complications.

Economic disparities also play a significant role in delayed diagnosis, as many Black women live in countries marked by legacies of slavery, colonialism, and racial prejudice, exacerbating socioeconomic challenges and limiting access to healthcare.

Culturally, Haitian women are socialized as resilient individuals, the pillar of the family who happily endure suffering. However, this societal expectation for women to prioritize others and overlook their own pain marginalizes their experiences and discourages them from seeking help for painful menstrual conditions.

Menstrual pain is not normal and if pain impedes normal functioning, it’s important to seek medical attention. However, addressing racial inequities in healthcare requires more than just acknowledgment; it demands action and systemic change. It’s imperative to start taking concrete steps to address the systemic barriers that prevent Black women, including Haitian women, from accessing proper healthcare and support.

Recognizing the specific challenges Black women face and adopting an intersectional approach to seeking solutions is essential. Increasing healthcare providers’ awareness of racial disparities in menstrual health and endometriosis, ensuring access to quality care regardless of race or financial status, and combating stigma and cultural barriers are crucial steps toward improving the health and well-being of Black women.

Our organization, Règ Ayiti, comprises young Haitian men and women in their early twenties, dedicated to breaking the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation. We particularly focus on educating the public about menstruation, raising awareness of endometriosis and period poverty, providing education on menstrual health and hygiene practices, and advocating for improved access to menstrual products.

Over the past year, we have made significant progress towards these goals through regular in-person events, partnerships with other organizations, awareness-raising campaigns, reflection days, and the distribution of educational materials. Through our collective action, we aim to empower Black women and other people with uteruses to access the care, support, and resources they need and deserve.

We are committed to working towards a future where menstrual pain is acknowledged, addressed, and no longer normalized.