Hey Black Girl, Your Health Matters

Hey Black Girl, I see you.

Your well-being isn’t something to put on the back burner. Too often, we’re expected to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders, showing up for everyone but ourselves and given the least amount of care. Black women face some of the highest health risks, such as PCOS, fibroids, heart disease, and a series of metabolic disorders. Despite these health risks, we are still ignored, misdiagnosed, and highly dismissed in medical spaces. This isn’t just a coincidence; it’s prejudice, bias, and systemic neglect. And it has to change. So, sis, let’s talk about it. Let’s reclaim our health, nourish our bodies, and demand the care we deserve. Because our well-being isn’t a luxury; it’s a right.

Black women are disproportionately affected by conditions like PCOS, fibroids, and metabolic syndromes. Studies show that PCOS affects women of color more frequently and severely, as it has been found that Black women develop higher rates of hirsutism, insulin resistance, and obesity. These symptoms increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases or metabolic syndrome, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol. Now, you would think this would raise proper awareness to giving Black girls the treatment they need, but it doesn’t. Many Black women have consistently faced feeling invisible when seeking help from medical professionals. Along with feeling invisible comes the gaslighting that our symptoms are either benign or nonexistent, to attempt to invalidate our health concerns. Medical officials even go as far as making assumptions and suggesting their issues are solely because of their weight and in return do not offer the proper nutritional advice. Instead of being given proactive solutions, many of us are told to simply “lose weight” or take birth control without any real discussion on how PCOS affects our bodies uniquely. This systemic neglect doesn’t just delay diagnoses; it worsens outcomes, leaving Black women to suffer in silence while their health deteriorates. It’s time to break this cycle, demand better care, and ensure that a Black woman’s pain is no longer ignored.

Since the system isn’t built to prioritize our health, we have to advocate for ourselves in medical spaces. Here’s how:
1. Push for thorough testing: If you suspect you have PCOS, ask your doctor for blood tests, an ultrasound, and an insulin resistance check.
2. Seek a second opinion: If a doctor dismisses your symptoms, don’t hesitate to find another provider who takes your concerns seriously.
3. Track your symptoms: Keeping a log of your cycle, energy levels, and physical changes can help you present clear patterns to your doctor.

No more shrinking, no more suffering in silence. We need to progress now toward a brave embrace of the reality that we deserve care, we deserve advocacy, and we deserve healing. The world may not have been designed with us in mind, but we are here, reclaiming space, rewriting narratives, and demanding what is rightfully ours: respect, attention, and proper healthcare. I created HerBalancedTable because I refuse to let other Black women go through what I did, searching for answers in a system that wasn’t built for us. I get what it’s like to be patted on the head with vague advice that doesn’t even remotely meet the challenges we face. So let this serve as your reminder: You are not a lone warrior fighting this battle. There is power in our collective voices, strength in our shared experiences, and healing in the communities we build together. So keep advocating, keep asking questions, and keep loving yourself. Because your well-being is not only important, it’s revolutionary and a key for future generations.