On Saturday 31st July 2021, we were delighted to host a webinar on fibroids and mental health. This webinar was part of our Fibroids Awareness Month event series which aimed to empower women living with fibroids with information on how to manage the impact of fibroids.
A very important issue for women living with fibroids is managing the mental and emotional impact of fibroids. Therefore, we invited Olivia Haltman, an accredited counsellor fromOH Counselling Services, to help attendees identify, understand and address the many ways that fibroids can affect a woman’s emotions and mental health.
This session also explored how women can heal and successfully navigate the challenges that living with fibroids may present.
If you missed this session, you can watch the recording below.
Today’s blog post comes from Andrea Kallumadyil. Andrea is from Ontario, Canada and is a medical student from UMHS. She is currently the president of Because We Care and the vice president of the American Medical Student Association at UMHS.
In this post, Andrea bravely shares her journey with PCOS and the life lessons it has taught her along the way.
One of my earliest memories as a child is standing in the hallway with my Grade 3 teacher as I chugged three boxes of apple juice. My Mom picked me up soon after, and I was to have my first ultrasound in a nearby city later that day. The week before, I had my first period. Being of South Asian descent, my family was beyond excited that I had “become a woman” at 8. We spent the afternoon, to my embarrassment, calling up relatives in India announcing the good news. My parents took me out to a nearby convenience store, where I picked out a gift to celebrate the big day. On our way home, we stopped at the walk-in clinic to make sure everything was okay. Practising in a small town with predominantly white patients, my doctor had never had a patient have their period so young. She assumed it could be explained by my South Asian background but decided to run some tests just in case it was something else. The healthcare staff poked and prodded me, only for the tests and ultrasound to come back normal. I was sent home and did not have another period for four years.
I got my period again when I was 12 years old. My periods seemed to have a mind of their own. They would come and go as they please – but they were consistently heavy, caused me a lot of pain, and lasted at least a week. A few months into this unpredictable cycle, I had a period that was more than 30 days long. I was pale, and my hands and feet were freezing in the middle of the summer. They ran some blood tests and referred me to a gynaecologist. I was not only anaemic but also had high levels of free testosterone in my system. Given my lab values and symptoms, the gynaecologist had said it was a straightforward diagnosis: PCOS.
What is PCOS? What are the Symptoms?
Polycystic Ovarian/Ovary Syndrome is an endocrine (hormonal) disorder that affects the normal functioning of your ovaries. The three main features are
Ovary Dysfunction: Presents as irregular periods, including infrequent periods, prolonged periods, and an absence of periods.
High levels of androgen: Determined either with a blood test or via symptoms of hirsutism (excess body/facial hair) or acne. Androgens, although referred to as male sex hormones, are naturally occurring hormones at low levels in females.
Cystic Ovaries: The collection of fluid in follicles preventing the release of an egg during your menstrual cycle (ovulation).
A patient usually requires at least two of the three main features to be diagnosed with PCOS. The different combinations give rise to 4 distinct PCOS phenotypes:
Phenotype A: High levels of androgen, ovary dysfunction, and cysts.
Phenotype B: High levels of androgen and ovary dysfunction
Phenotype C: High levels of androgen and cysts.
Phenotype D: Ovary dysfunction and cysts.
In my case, I had irregular periods and high levels of androgen shown both in my blood tests and excessive body and facial hair (hirsutism): Phenotype B. During your diagnostic process, your health care provider may also order an ultrasound and gynaecological exam to rule out other potential causes for your symptoms.
Hirsutism is hard to assess, especially since many populations – Middle Eastern, South Asian and Mediterranean – have more body/facial hair than other ethnic groups, despite having normal androgen levels. Being of South Asian background myself, and the only South Asian family in a then-predominantly white community, my hirsutism was initially overlooked. For many young persons with PCOS, including myself, this continues to be one of the most challenging symptoms to manage.
Outside of the 3 diagnostic features, PCOS has many other symptoms and complications, including:
Infertility: PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility due to less frequent ovulation. It can also increase the risk of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and miscarriage.
Weight Gain and Trouble with Weight Loss: Almost 80% of persons diagnosed with PCOS are overweight. Additionally, being overweight can make other PCOS symptoms even worse.
Metabolic Syndrome: Those overweight and those with PCOS are at risk for insulin resistance leading to diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol levels. This puts those with PCOS at risk for developing heart disease – as many as 50% of persons with PCOS will have insulin resistance.
Androgenic Alopecia: Excess androgen can cause hair loss on the head. Resembles male pattern balding.
Acanthosis Nigricans: Dark and thick skin around the neck, breasts, armpits, and groin area
Sleep Apnea: The risk is about 5-10 times higher for those with PCOS. This is primarily because those with PCOS are likely to be overweight.
Depression, Anxiety &Disorders: Hormonal changes along can increase the likelihood of experiencing depression. Symptoms like hirsutism can increase this risk.
Endometrial Cancer: The lining of the uterus (endometrium) is at risk of developing cancer if you are insulin resistant, overweight or have trouble ovulating – all of which are PCOS features.
Treatment
With each additional symptom, my doctor explained, I felt myself becoming more and more ostracized, imagining all the new ways I’d look even more different from my friends in my hometown. The racing images came to a halt when I heard the word infertility. I was too shocked to process the rest of the information I received and was frankly too embarrassed to ask any questions about what I did hear. I was prescribed an oral contraceptive for my irregular cycles and Vaniqa (a topical hair growth inhibitor) for my hirsutism and left the office. When we got in the car, my Mom asked if I was okay, and in response, I cried the entire 45 minutes home.
I wish I knew that although PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility, it is also one of the most treatable. There are many options available to manage the symptoms of PCOS.
Oral Contraceptive Pills: OCPs help regulate hormone levels and foster regular, predictable periods that are shorter in duration with a lighter flow.
Metformin: A diabetes drug that improves insulin resistance, can promote weight loss, reduces the rate of miscarriage, and promotes regular menstrual cycles.
Spironolactone: An androgen medication that can be used to lower androgen levels in your body. This will improve symptoms of androgenic alopecia, hirsutism, and hormonal acne.
Hair Removal: Once hormone levels are managed, many people have success with electrolysis – the only truly permanent hair removal solution. A probe is inserted into each hair follicle to destroy each hair’s growth centre. Other less permanent methods include laser hair removal, epilation, threading, sugaring/waxing, or depilatory creams. A hair growth inhibitor like Vaniqacan also be used, but the hair will resume growth if you cease usage.
Weight Loss: Losing up to 5-10% of your body fat can be enough to kick start ovulation. There is also some evidence that a low carb diet may improve your hormone levels and increase fertility. A healthy lifestyle consisting of nutritious foods and exercise will enhance fertility treatment effectiveness regardless of weight loss – remember, it is highly recommended to consult a health care provider before making any significant lifestyle changes.
Acupuncture: There is some emerging evidence that acupuncture procedures restore LH and FSH hormone ratios and promote regular menstrual cycles in those with PCOS.
Surgery: A laparoscopic procedure that involves destroying a part of the ovary with an electric current. This can stimulate ovulation and decrease androgen levels. The results last for a few months.
For those trying to get pregnant, additional treatment options include:
Fertility Drugs: Clomid is a fertility drug that triggers ovulation and is often used in combination with metformin. Although some persons can become resistant to the drug, Letrozole (a cancer drug) has shown to be effective in stimulating ovulation in such situations. Injectable gonadotropins are also available under different brand names to stimulate ovulation. However, those with PCOS are at a high risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Furthermore, you are also at increased risk for multiple pregnancies.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI): A process involving sperm placement in the uterus with a catheter. This process is known to increase the total number of sperm that reach the fallopian tubes.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): After stimulation of egg production, multiple eggs are removed and inseminated in a lab dish. Multiple embryos are transferred a few days later back into the uterus.
There is also evidence that the following supplements can relieve some symptoms of PCOS. They include:
Myo-inositol: Reduces the risk of gestational diabetes
Inositol: Increases the number of ovulations, thereby leading to a higher chance of successful conception.
Omega-3 Fish Oils: Lowers total cholesterol levels.
Co-Supplementation of Magnesium, Zinc, Calcium, and Vitamin D: Provides beneficial effects on hormone levels while reducing inflammation and oxidative stress caused by PCOS.
Living With PCOS
Being diagnosed and starting treatment at a very young age, I was fortunate to not have to deal with the unpredictability of irregular periods. However, I did struggle with managing my hirsutism. I started laser hair removal almost immediately after my diagnosis and embarked on a process that would last several years. I bleached most of my body hair to feel comfortable wearing revealing clothes. I eventually switched to electrolysis, which did reduce the amount of hair grown by 30% but was incredibly painful and time-consuming. I considered myself a very anxious person but was officially diagnosed with anxiety and depression at the beginning of my undergraduate degree. I quickly gained a lot of weight following a high-stress period and my hirsutism got much worse as a result. I went on the keto diet to lose it and obsessively worked out.
However, a restrictive lifestyle like that was not sustainable for me and did not promote good mental health. I was still terrified that I would never have kids and am to this day very set on a specific timeline in my head. I initially set aside my career goals of becoming a physician for something attainable in a shorter period. I bounced from counselling to nursing to speech-language pathology. I did every possible prerequisite during my bachelor’s degree to keep all of my options open. I read countless blogs and videos of what other persons with PCOS did for family planning, careers, and managing their symptoms. I realized that everyone had their own unique story and that the only commonality is that they all did what made them happy. Those that wanted to start a family were able to do so without compromising their career goals. From then on, I began to focus on what I wanted instead of letting my PCOS control every little detail of my life. I stopped being so hard on myself for having symptoms. I started to wear short sleeves without bleaching, I got into the program I wanted to get into, and most importantly, I began to accept myself for who I am. It has been such a freeing experience.
For those currently struggling with PCOS right now:
Try not to compare yourself to anyone else.
Work on what is best for you, given your own story.
Learn to be comfortable in your skin.
Talk to your health care provider to figure out the best way to manage your symptoms.
And most importantly: do not let anyone convince you that your PCOS can stop you from doing whatever you set your mind to.
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We would like to say a big thank you to Andrea for being so open and bravely sharing her PCOS story. If you’d like to ask her a question, please leave it in the comments section below or you can email your question to info@lakehealthandwellbeing.com
Sources
D’Anna, R., Di Benedetto, V., Rizzo, P., Raffone, E., Interdonato, M. L., Corrado, F., & Di Benedetto, A. (2012). Myo-inositol may prevent gestational diabetes in PCOS women. Gynecological endocrinology : the official journal of the International Society of Gynecological Endocrinology, 28(6), 440–442. https://doi.org/10.3109/09513590.2011.633665
Alois, M., & Estores, I. M. (2019). Hormonal Regulation In Pcos Using Acupuncture And Herbal Supplements: A Case Report And Review Of The Literature. Integrative Medicine (Encinitas, Calif.), 18(5), 36-39.
Arentz, S., Smith, C. A., Abbott, J., & Bensoussan, A. (2017). Nutritional supplements and herbal medicines for women with polycystic ovary syndrome; a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 17(1), 500. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-2011-x
Lizneva, D., Suturina, L., Walker, W., Brakta, S., Gavrilova-Jordan, L., & Azziz, R. (2016). Criteria, prevalence, and phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertility and sterility, 106(1), 6–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.05.003
Maktabi, M., Jamilian, M., & Asemi, Z. (2018). Magnesium-Zinc-Calcium-Vitamin D co-supplementation improves hormonal profiles, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Biological trace element research, 182(1), 21–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-017-1085-0
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). (2020). Retrieved 16 October 2020 from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. (2012). Retrieved 16 October 2020 from https://americanpregnancy.org/womens-health/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-70990
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. (2019). Retrieved 16 October 2020 from https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. (2019). Retrieved 16 October 2020 from https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/health-topics/tw9103
Back in 2013 we conducted a survey to understand the needs of women affected by fibroids. As we conducted this survey, we kept hearing very strong words and phrases describing how living with fibroids was affecting the mental health of women.
“I have hated life at times because of fibroids. I feel like I am being punished for something.”
“Depression from feeling that my only options were drugs or surgery”
“Fear of not being able to have children”
“Just a constant fear of what they could become”
As a result of this we started to explore this issue further by speaking to women who attended our fibroids awareness events and soon realised that this was a much wider problem. To compound this issue there was little information available, at the time, about the emotional impact of fibroids and no services to support women with fibroids in addressing these issues.
So, we decided to reach out to counsellor, Olivia Haltman, the founder of OH Services to speak at our Fibroid Focus event, a conference we held in 2016 for women with fibroids.
Olivia gave an excellent presentation that explored the emotional impact of fibroids explaining how fibroids can affect not just women’s physical health but their mental health too. The reaction from women after her presentation was profound, a stunned recognition that:
Other women feel the way I do
What I have been feeling isn’t trivial
Someone articulated exactly how I was feeling in a way that I never could
There is a way to address this aspect of my experience with fibroids
Following this event OH Services began work on developing their first 4-week online course on the emotional impact of fibroids. Not only was it a first for them but, to our knowledge, it is the first ever course on this topic. This course was launched in November 2018 and we had the pleasure of attending.
Over the 4 weeks OH Services created a safe space for women to come together to discuss the emotional impact of fibroids. As we listened to the discussion, we realised this was the first time that attendees were exploring this side of fibroids, and it was challenging. They were given the opportunity to reflect and explore their emotions and how these have been impacted by their experience with fibroids.
Ms Haltman explained with some clarity what specific emotions many women feel categorising them into the emotions that women may experience before and after a diagnosis, as well as some general emotions.
We learnt of the fear, anxiety and uncertainty that can occur in the lead up to a diagnosis which is particularly significant as many women with fibroids have symptoms weeks, months and sometimes years before receiving a confirmed diagnosis.
We also learnt of the emotional toll that managing symptoms such as pain, heavy bleeding and anaemia can have on a woman’s quality of life, affecting her personality, relationships, effectiveness at work and restricting the activities she can participate in.
Ms Haltman also described the difficulty of having to deal with treatment decisions, the potential of a loss of fertility and the possibility of a recurrence after treatment.
The discussions during this course were insightful and thought-provoking and to ensure that participants made the most of each session, participants were given activities after each session to consolidate their learning.
The course ended on a positive note, one of hope and sisterhood with Ms Haltman taking participants through methods and techniques to address these emotions and start a self-development journey.
We really liked that the way this course was delivered. It was interactive and practical with participants being split up into groups to share experiences and explore specific topics. Also, the homework ensured that what was learnt in each session was explored further and applied immediately.
This course fills a huge gap and we believe it is much-needed so that women with fibroids have the support they need. Therefore, we highly recommend this course to anyone who has been affected by fibroids or is supporting a friend, family member or client with fibroids.
The next course starts on 6th March at 7pm UK time and you can register online here or for more information you can email ohservices@counsellor.com
In October 2018, we began consulting with the F.I.T. Wellness Center in Nevis to assist with the development and implementation of their NCD Prevention Action Plan, part of their NCD Prevention Programme.
On 27th November 2018, we were delighted to join F.I.T. in the launch of their NCD Prevention Action Plan and the announcement of their upcoming National Weight Loss Campaign.
The launch took the form of a press conference and was attended by the major media outlets in Nevis. The event was chaired by Mr David Walwyn, Director of the F.I.T Wellness Center and featured on the panel were:
Hon. Hazel Brandy-Williams, Junior Minister for Health, who provided an overview of NCDs in Nevis
Dr Judy Nisbett, Chief Medical Officer for Nevis, who discussed the cost of NCDs, this included direct and indirect costs as well as the impact NCDs have on families
Nadine Carty-Caines, Programme Coordinator, Health Promotion Unit, Ministry of Health, who took the press through all the statistics on NCDs in Nevis
Dr Raymond Moving, Internal Medicine, Alexandra Hospital, who explained the complications of NCDs focusing particularly on diabetes
Dr Samir Anadkat, Obesity and Diabetes Specialist, Professor (Neuroscience & Anatomy), Medical University of Americas, Nevis, who explored prevention and addressed some of the myths around weight loss
David Walwyn, Director, F.I.T. Wellness Centre, who spoke about F.I.T’s approach to tackling NCDs in Nevis
Abi Begho, Public Health Project Manager, Lake Health and Wellbeing, who discussed the upcoming National Weight Loss Campaign and also announced the slogan competition for the campaign
Why Focus on NCDs?
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer are a major health challenge in St Kitts and Nevis with 83% of deaths in the Federation being due to these conditions.
One of the key factors driving NCDs in St Kitts and Nevis is the high rate of obesity. In 2012, PAHO reported that 32.5% of secondary school children in St Kitts and Nevis were overweight and 14.4% were obese and a more recent report published by UNICEF in 2017 stated that 26% of children in St Kitts and Nevis were obese. We know that children who are overweight or obese are more likely to become overweight or obese adults and this puts them at a high risk of developing NCDs like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Obesity rates in St Kitts and Nevis in adults aged 25 to 64 is high with a 2008 study stating that 33.5% of adults in this age group were overweight and 45% were obese.
F.I.T. has developed its answer to NCDs by developing its NCD Prevention Action Plan which will focus on supporting residents of Nevis to get fit, healthy and lose weight, and thus reduce their risk of developing an NCD. A core part of the action plan is the National Weight Loss Campaign which will start in January 2019.
The National Weight Loss Campaign
The National Weight Loss Campaign aims to help residents of Nevis lose weight through a fun six-month weight loss challenge that will support participants in getting active and eating a healthier diet. Participants will be guided through the six-month period with advice, tips, healthy recipes, fun events and one-to-one support. There will also be prizes for the person who loses the most weight in their category, recognition of those who have succeeded in losing their target weight and we’ll be following specific people on their weight loss journey.
Technology will play an important role in the campaign and we’ll be creating a web-based health portal where participants can come together, support each other, ask questions, share pictures and videos and receive tips and advice from experts in health and fitness. The health portal will consist of a forum and a chat facility, so we can keep in touch with all participants and provide them with support every step of the way.
How The Public Can Get Involved in the National Weight Loss Campaign
The National Weight Loss Campaign is open to everyone in Nevis – old, young, male and female. If an individual would like to lose weight or would like some support in adopting a healthier lifestyle then they are welcome to take part.
Businesses are strongly encouraged to take part in the National Weight Loss Campaign by either registering a team of their staff to get involved in the six-month weight loss challenge or they can play an instrumental role in improving the health and wellbeing of our community by becoming a corporate partner or sponsor.
For more information about this, businesses in Nevis can contact David Walwyn by email or phone (869)-662-8749.
Who is Behind this Initiative?
The National Weight Loss Campaign is an initiative of the FIT Wellness Center led by Mr David Walwyn with support from the Ministry of Health and Lake Health and Wellbeing
Hey everyone, we’re just stopping by the blog quickly to say a big big thank you to everyone who supported our My Haircare Nightmare crowdfunding campaign. We really appreciate all your support and although we didn’t meet our target we were overwhelmed by all your kind words and encouragement – thank you!
Not only did we get some lovely emails and messages on social media, the media also picked up on our campaign and really got behind it. You can view some of the media coverage below:
In case you missed our crowd funding campaign, we’ve teamed up with Tola Okogwu of My Long Hair Journey and filmmaker Sheila Marshall to answer the question: Are Black Hair Care Products Safe? Through a documentary we aim to highlight the recent research which showed that 80% of black hair products tested contain endocrine disrupting chemicals and ingredients linked to asthma. Although we haven’t raised all the funds we need just yet, we’re still fired up and ready to turn our dream into reality and are exploring other funding opportunities.
We’ll keep you informed of our next steps and for those of you who donated, your perks will be with you in due course.
In today’s blog we’re absolutely delighted to hear from Kerthy Sugunathevan and Ashley Carter, two very enthusiastic medical students from the University of Medicine and Health Sciences in St Kitts.
Ashley and Kerthy are passionate about making a difference and developing the skills required to be the best health practitioners they can be and as such they are the co-founders of a new campus club called ‘Because We Care’
Kerthy and Ashley tell us about their club, its mission and why they started it. Please support this new initiative by liking their Facebook page and if you have any questions, please do leave them in the comments section below.
Because We Care (BWeC) is a new club to UMHS this semester. Our club centres on three main pillars: Build – Widen – Connect
Build a relationship between the UMHS community and St. Kitts
Widen the impact of UMHS in St. Kitts by promoting healthy living and providing education on high risk health topics
Connect UMHS Students to volunteer opportunities to allow them to improve interpersonal skills while making a difference in the community
Our mission is to conduct events that promote health education and awareness in St. Kitts by engaging the community in outreach events. Our goal is to provide students with various opportunities to take part, while creating a positive impact in the community. We hope to help students build upon their interpersonal skills. We will also be promoting various events surrounding healthy living for students physically and mentally (i.e. 3vs3 basketball, boot camps and stress relief events).
We are looking forward to creating a positive impact while on our journey to becoming great doctors alongside our peers. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any events you would like to see in the future!
Please like our facebook page and follow us for events and weekly posts.
We are absolutely delighted to announce that the My Hair Care Nightmare Documentary Crowd Funding campaign is kicking off on Monday 3rd September, and we’d absolutely love for you to be involved.
We’ve teamed up with Tola Okogwu of My Long Hair Journey and filmmaker Sheila Marshall to answer the question: Are Black Hair Care Products Safe? We aim to highlight the recent research which showed that 80% of black hair products tested contain endocrine disrupting chemicals and ingredients linked to asthma.
Our goal is to educate and empower women caring for Afro textured hair so they can make an informed decision about the products they choose to buy and use. The film also seeks to highlight alternative and safer brands so that consumers realise they have options.
We’d very much appreciate you supporting our crowd funding campaign by making a donation and helping us spread the word so we can raise the funds to make this film a reality. We want to make a big splash and create a buzz this week. If you can please post about the campaign on your social media platforms and let your networks know, that would be great. We started a hashtag #MyHaircareNightmare where people can share their hair and product stories.
We’ve included some images and videos in the Dropbox folder below. Please use #myhaircarenightmare and tag us @myhaircarenightmare (Instagram) and @myhaircarenigh1(twitter).
Don’t have time to create a post? Have no fear, below are some suggested posts.
Are your hair care products safe? My Haircare Nightmare documentary aims to find out. Support @myhaircarenightmare (Instagram)/ @myhaircarenigh1 (twitter) Indiegogo campaign to help make this film happen. https://bit.ly/2NwnOJm #MyHaircareNightmare #HaircareNightmare
We’re supporting @myhaircarenightmare (Instagram)/ @myhaircarenigh1 (twitter) indiegogo campaign because 80% of hair products marketed at black women contain potentially harmful ingredients. Be part of the REVOLUTION by giving at https://bit.ly/2NwnOJm. #MyHaircareNightmare #HaircareNightmare
Want to have a bit more fun? Then share your #HaircareNightmare story.
– Tag your friends, nominate other people. Help us to get the conversation going
– Your post could make all the difference
What We Know
Research published in April in Environmental Research found that 80% of black hair products in this study contain endocrine disrupting (EDC) and asthma-associated chemicals. A second study published in 2017 by researchers at Rutgers University found a link between breast cancer and the use of hair dyes and relaxers and a research study published in 2012 identified a small link between fibroids and relaxers.
We surveyed 215 black women and 86% of respondents were very concerned and 13% of women were concerned about the main conclusion of the study published in April.
63% of women in our survey stated they didn’t feel able to identify the chemicals, that researchers stated may be cause for concern, and a further 30% stated that they can only sometimes identify these chemicals.
The most recent Nielson Beauty & Personal Care Report stated that black women spend nearly nine-times more than their non-black counterparts on hair products, demonstrating a high quantity of product consumption, which means exposure to any chemicals could be high and long-term.
More Information
We really appreciate your support! Let’s make a difference and once and for all get to the bottom of this issue. For more information please email info@lakehealthandwellebing.com and you can also sign up to the My Haircare Nightmare mailing list here
We love collaborations and are so delighted to have teamed up with the family business Almocado for our upcoming fibroids self-care webinar series. As a sponsor of our webinar series Almocado will be offering those who attend our webinars a 20% discount on their hair and body products – yay!
About Almocado
Almocado is a small family-run business based in the UK who we discovered several years ago. Almocado was founded in April 2010 and create artisan hair products for curls, kinks and coils which are handmade with love, you can tell by the way each order is packaged with care – sometimes a surprising free sample is included or a note that expresses that love – we really appreciate their personal touches.
Not only do they create hair products, but their collection includes skincare products and they are certified Sisterlocks consultants.
The founder and CEO of Almocado is the lovely Annette Clark-Headley who is very warm and friendly and has a truly inspirational story.
Annette is a British-Barbadian who graduated from the very prestigious Cambridge University and started her career in the fast-paced world of investment banking. It was during this time that she started exploring holistic therapies becoming passionate about wellness and stress management which led her to receive training in this area.
“In a nutshell, the company was birthed to fulfil a desire I have to provide holistic solutions (hair care, skin care, emotional & physical wellbeing) to the community.” – Annette Clark-Headley
Not long after starting Almocado, in July 2010, Annette was diagnosed with Alopecia Totali and by October 2010 she was completely bald. This was a difficult time for Annette personally and professionally, and professionally she was deeply concerned about whether her business would survive – could someone bald succeed in the hair industry? Annette rose to the challenge and refused to let her baldness act as a barrier to her business success and continued to spread the message of love and acceptance as the basis for cultivating healthy hair.
As an Oxbridge graduate she utilised her research and analysis skills to identify effective natural ingredients and by bringing together nature and science she has created products of the highest quality that have made her business an award-winning one.
Why Almocado?
We love Almocado and teamed up with them for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are a brand that truly cares about the health and wellbeing of their customers – their products are hand-made, paraben free, natural and organic. In addition, their products are safety assessed and meet the stringent EU regulations. All of this means that their products don’t contain endocrine disrupting chemicals which many women with fibroids are keen to avoid.
Furthermore, the genuine interest the team at Almocado have in their customers’ wellbeing means they regularly host open-house events at their studio so they remain attuned to the needs of they customers, we also like that they go above and beyond the call of duty to make sure their customers are satisfied and it’s nice to see that they donate a percentage of their sales to Alopecia UK.
We just really like that love is the foundation of their business, and it’s genuine, as it is evident in everything they do.
“This luscious easily absorbed treatment is what your precious coils have been crying out for. Rich in moisturising soy lecithin and honey and packed with Pro-vitamin B and Silk Protein, the Triple Treat Moisture Milk strengthens, moisturises, improves manageability and reduces breakage while delivering botanical extracts and nutrients to the hair shaft.”
We can attest to this, this is a great moisturiser leaving our hair feeling soft and hydrated. Once we purchase it, we pretty much use it daily, but since moving to St Kitts it’s harder for us to get products shipped to us so we’ve been rationing our last order!
Cherry Vanilla Moisture Mist
Another one of our Almocado orders
On Almocado’s website they say about this product:
“Think of this as a conditioning berry-tastic hair tea! Carefully blended with natural Aloe Vera and herbal extracts to refresh and hydrate without feeling sticky or greasy.”
All we can say about this fantastic hair mist is: wow! It smells divine and is perfect for adding some much-needed moisture to kinky hair. It’s just beautiful, we think of this product as a special treat for our hair and try to savour every drop of it. This product has the added benefit, for us at least, of having an aromatherapy effect, the smell just relaxes and soothes us…hmmm.
Thank you
We’d like to say a big thank you to Annette for supporting our webinar series, we’re so grateful. We’d also just like to thank and acknowledge her for being such an inspiration and fantastic role model for black women in business. She does business the right way, with kindness, dedication, excellence and integrity; we applaud her and wish her continued success with her business.
More Information
You can find out more about Almocado on their website here.
You can find out more about our webinar series and sign up to the first session on fibroids, diet and hormones led by Le’Nise Brothers, the founder of Eat Love Move, on our website here
With 1 in 4 people in the UK suffering from a mental health issue, there is a need to find experienced counsellors who provide an effective and high quality service, OH Services does just that.
Founded in 2010 by counsellor Olivia Haltman, OH Services aims to support people through the difficult periods of their life. They are committed to providing a safe, confidential and non-judgemental environment where people can open up and get the support they need.
They provide one-to-one counselling, EMDR therapy, group therapy, workshops and seminars for adults and young people from all walks of life. They understand that people have different needs and deal with traumatic experiences in different ways, and therefore provide a tailored programme of support that ensures the right approach for each individual.
Founder, Olivia Haltman, is an accredited Integrative Humanistic Counsellor and an Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapist. She is also a member of British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), EMDR UK & Ireland and BAATN (Black and Asian Therapist Network). Ms Haltman has over 10 years experience working in the mental health sector having worked for organisations like Mind and established her organisation to support people who want to develop their lives on a personal level and reach their best potential. Of her approach to tackling mental health issues she says:
“I believe everyone is different, with unique needs and aspirations so I use an integrative approach to apply and integrate the most suitable solutions for my clients. Within my practice, I also apply (where necessary) a holistic approach to help clients enjoy the essential benefits of wellbeing and healing processes.”
OH Services works with a range of clients and issues, and if you’re experiencing some form of anxiety or trauma, or just need someone to talk you through an issue then please contact OH services. You can find their contact details here and for more information visit their website.
The health and wellbeing of our community starts with our young people and an important aspect of their wellbeing is ensuring they have access to good education with the best possible facilities. This is why we’re supporting The Pen Network, an independent charitable organisation that aims to improve the life chances of African children. Currently they are fundraising for the Odoi Atsem Memorial Preparatory School in Ghana to help this school with much-needed infrastructural work
ODOI ATSEM SCHOOL, Ghana
The school was set up by well-meaning individuals because there were no schools in their area which meant children didn’t attend school as it was too expensive for them to travel outside the community. The fees at the school are a fraction of what they would have to pay at other private schools ensuring that as many children as possible can access a high standard of education. Although it’s private, the school uses the national curriculum but is also committed to providing African centred learning. Much of its funds come from the parents, relatives and friends of the staff, especially the Headmaster, Mr Percy Gogoe.
During the rainy season the local area experiences terrible flooding and the school has to close for many reasons, one of which is the poor sanitation which is made worse by the flooding. This inability to install an effective sanitation system means they have been subjected to paying fines from their already meagre income.
The Pen Network Aims to Help
The Pen Network is aiming to raise £3000. This is needed for the completion of the school’s infrastructure, including the roof, the toilet facilities and waste disposal system. The waste disposal system will help with the drainage of stagnant water, which breeds mosquitoes and increases risk of malaria. The children do not complain. They are happy to be at school, no matter what the conditions, but The Pen Network believes that by coming together we help them learn in a much better environment and are seeking your support to achieve this.
How You Can Help
The Pen Network have some exciting activities planned to help reach their £3,000 target. The aim is to do something charitable, whilst having fun and getting fit and healthy. Check out the challenges below and see what inspires you. They are all designed with maximum fun, fitness and health in mind. You can take part as an individual, organisation or a group of friends.
1. Vegan/Raw Health Challenge
Join The Pen Network’s members for this healthy eating, lifestyle changing activity. You decide how long you want to do the challenge for but it must be between 1-4 weeks.You can either do a strictly vegan, combine vegan and raw meals or really go for it and do a strictly raw diet. Get as many of your family and friends to sponsor you.
Starts: 31stMarch 2017
2.The Bicycle Ride Challenge
How about a cycle challenge in collaboration with us, The Lake Foundation. You will need a bike to take part. Get your family and friends to sponsor you and get fit cycling.
Where: Croydon, South London
When: 29th April 2017
Duration: 4 hours
3. 10k Run
For the die-hards, you can join The Pen Network members in a 10K challenge.
Where: to be confirmed
When: May
Duration:It’s up to you 😉
4. The Big Soul line Dance
The Pen Network’s Big Soul Line Dance in the park will give you the chance to learn some new grooves whilst raising funds for educational needs. Sponsored by Johmard Fitness & Dance.
Cost: £5.00 to take part
When: In summer, to be confirmed
Where: A lovely park in London, to be confirmed
5. Do your own!
Do you have an idea or challenge you want to share? Tell The Pen Network about it and get your friends to sponsor you. The duration of the challenge is up to you but it must be completed by the end of May.
6. Sponsor The Pen Network as an Organisation
If you are an organisation that shares an interest in The Pen Network’s cause, why not sponsor them? A great benefit will be the opportunity for some team bonding by getting your staff involved in our challenges. At the end of our activities, we’ll invite you to share your success story. Speak to The Pen Network about how you can work together on this and other projects
More Information
For more information on how to take part you can contact The Pen Network by:
