Kindred Champion

03/26/2024

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09/28/2023

Hello friends! It’s been a while.

Today is Sept 28, which is International Safe Abortion Day.

With legislation still on the line and women’s health and autonomy at risk, let’s remember that abortion IS healthcare and rights include access to abortion.

💜

This toolkit is designed to support you and fellow activists in campaigning this September 28. It contains this year’s call to action, key messages, suggested actions, visuals and creative materials. The best part of it all is that you can share this toolkit with your community and take action tog...

02/14/2023

Adenomyosis is the disease that catalyzed the existence of this very platform, The Kindred Champion—designed to build awareness about oft ignored or unknown women’s diseases and their impact.

Read for a pretty succinct and digestible explanation.

Endometriosis and adenomyosis are similar but distinct condition that both involve endometrial tissue growing where it shouldn't.

02/02/2023

“Dear Annie” has entered the chat...

The Perimenopause chat.

While the headline and the advice given are misaligned, let's celebrate the fact that an advice column is talking about how to navigate this inevitable albeit uncomfortable change that affects our careers, our personal lives, and our mental health. PLUS—It’s correctly named!

Perimenopause is often lumped under "menopause" with little to no discussion.

Using the term “perimenopause” is a first step that can help destigmatize what’s happening as well as equip women with an arsenal of information that wasn't available to them before.

Some women experience perimenopause symptoms as early as their late 30s, and those women often feel alone and "crazy".

Guess what: You're not "crazy"--you just haven't been supplied with helpful information, and that's not your fault.

Part of what lacks transparency in the overall discourse on perimenopause is what’s considered “normal” and what’s problematic and needs attention. I don’t agree with the advice here by Dear Annie. She does explain that her symptoms are not unusual. But where this lacks guidance—when perimenopause starts affecting your quality of life, it’s worthy of attention and investigation by your specialist.

Sorry, Annie, but a walk in nature is not gonna cut it.

It’s okay to feel lost and confused during this time. It’s okay to ask questions about what is happening and what to expect. Yes, go for walks in nature. Put the screens away. Get some hobbies.

But always ask questions and loop in your community and your specialists. You’re not alone. You don’t have to navigate alone.

She's been struggling for 2 years, but refuses to see a doctor

02/02/2023

Let's talk for a moment about perimenopause and menopause.

Did you know?

📍17% of women leave or consider leaving the workforce due to perimenopause and menopause symptoms
📍Hormone therapy is available to help manage the severity of perimenopause, yet it’s largely ignored
📍The term “perimenopause” is underutilized in the discourse of the change that all women go through
📍There is a scarily low amount of discourse in general about menopause

Relief from suffering during this inevitable change IS out there.

Let’s get more comfortable talking about all things menopause. Let’s get women to a place of being heard, seen, and recognized in this lonely abyss. Let’s keep women in the workforce by supporting and sharing.

Hot flashes, sleeplessness, pain during s*x: For some of menopause’s worst symptoms, there’s an established treatment. Why aren’t more women offered it?

01/14/2023

A quiet epidemic of assault on women’s health is happening for the simple reason of women being invisible and not believed. Black women are at even higher risk for not being heard and being mistreated.

This woman bled for 83 days. She required a blood transfusion and a dilation and curettage (D&C) from complications of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Yet her pain and symptoms were diminished and she was almost sent home.

Self-advocacy saved her. The Kindred Champion is committed to sharing advocacy tools and skills. Continue following for more.

The author shares how a male ER doctor dismissed her symptoms and she had to fight to stay in the hospital. Her period lasted 83 days.

06/23/2022

“Perimenopause” is often conflated with menopause, instead of it being long process before actual menopause. We’ve all been taught that the hot flashes, hormone fluctuations, dryness, weight gain, and the like are menopause. What’s being described is actually perimenopause. Additionally, higher, prolonged stress can lead to early perimenopause.

At 42, I am experiencing some of these issues associated with perimenopause. It’s a little early. I used to be excited by the idea of early menopause. But now that I am feeling things changing and happening, I spend about 3-5 days a month worried that I’m having a heart episode. I was recently tested for anemia and had an EKG. The more I learn, the more I realize that my estrogen levels are tanking just before my period, which is causing the heaviness in my chest and rapid heart rates. It’s been much more pronounced and noticeable the last 4-5 months, which is what led me to investigate.

Perimenopause is exacerbated by stress, and symptoms of perimenopause exacerbate stress. It’s certainly a catch-22, isn’t it.

So, I am more focused as of late on talking about perimenopause for what it is. I feel like it’s been a disservice to not use the terms menopause and perimenopause in the true essence of their meanings.

Curiosity question: how many of you have been taught the difference of perimenopause and menopause at an early age? How many of you didn’t know the difference until recent years of your life?

The onset of perimenopause varies depending upon genetics and environmental factors.