Clara Amfo raises awareness about fibroids after having surgery to remove them
Clara Amfo has shared she's prioritising her health this year after having surgery to remove her fibroids.
The TV and radio presenter posted a series of photos on her Instagram account, including one of her in a hospital gown and one showing three plasters on her stomach.
Putting her own spin on Valentine's Day, she 37-year-old said that putting her health first is her own form of self love, with her "grand romantic gesture" being undergoing the myomectomy on Friday.
Describing the fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb, she said she had been walking around with the "equivalent of a mango, a lemon, a plum and grapes" on her uterus.
The other images in her post include infographics pointing out the symptoms and complications of fibroids, and one one of a supportive friend.
Amfo captioned the post: "Self love for me is prioritising my health properly this year, first grand romantic gesture was finally having a myomectomy to remove my fibroids on Friday."
She pointed out that they can "cause all sorts of physical and mental distress".
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Speaking personally of her experience, she continued, "In my case, I initially knew I had just the one and I naively convinced myself that I could 'live with it' but I couldn't.
"Turns out I had several and had been walking around with the equivalent of a mango, a lemon, a plum and grapes on my uterus for at least 5 years, which as you can imagine was no fun. Every possible symptom checked off the list."
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Around one in three women have symptoms for fibroids, which may include heavy periods or painful periods, tummy (abdominal pain), lower back pain, a frequent need to urinate, constipation and pain or discomfort during sex.
In rarer cases, further complications caused by fibroids can affect pregnancy or cause infertility. While some may disappear on their own, there are a range of treatment options for fibroids, including surgery if initial ones prove ineffective.
A myomectomy removes fibroids, preserving the uterus and the person's ability to reproduce, unlike a hysterectomy.
Watch: Medical Mystery: Uterine Fibroids disproportionately impact Black women
Amfo gave credit and thanks to people and organisations that helped her on journey. "Salute to my fellow fibroid gang for all the advice shared.
"Sending love to anyone who has them too or suspects they might. I found @fibroidfoundation @wecanwearwhite to be good resources on here but obvs holler at your GP for a certified diagnosis," she said.
She continued, "Celebrating the love of solid friends and family with a lot of gratitude today, no matter how independent you are, it's okay to ask for help when you literally need it...and nothing shows you love more than your mate coming over to bathe you like you're a 5 year old."
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Many showed their support, with Claudia Winkleman and Giovanna Fletcher leaving hearts, while Tessa Thompson wrote, "Send you all my love! Thank you for sharing this radical act of self love xxx happy healing."
Fibroids most often occur in women aged 30 to 50, thought to develop more frequently in women of African-Caribbean heritage.
As many women can also be unaware they have fibroids because they don't have symptoms, they can sometimes be diagnosed by chance.
But if you do suspect you have them, see your GP, or for more information, visit the NHS website.
The websites for the Instagram accounts Amfo said helped her are Fibroid Foundation and The White Dress Project.
