On 30th May, we held a Fibroids Twitter Chat featuring Olivia Haltman, the founder of OH Services. We had a very interesting and insightful discussion about the emotional impact of fibroids.

If you missed this conversation you can read through the highlights below and if you have any questions, please do leave them in the comments section at the bottom of this page or send us an email

Hello everyone, it’s our pleasure to welcome you to another one of our #fibroids #TwitterChats. #FibroidsChat (1/4)

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

Today we’ll be chatting to counsellor, Olivia Haltman of @OHServies2018 about the emotional impact of #fibroids. #FibroidsChat (2/4)

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

Now, it’s my pleasure to introduce our guest Olivia Haltman, @ohservices2018

Welcome Olivia and thank you for taking part in this Twitter chat, please can you tell us a bit about who you are and what you do. #FibroidsChat (4/4)

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

As you all know by now I am Olivia and I am a Counsellor, Workshop Facilitator and an EMDR Therapist
I set up OH Services in 2010 and started my private practice where I provide one to one therapy sessions, workshops and seminars. #FibroidsChat

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

.@OHServices2018, let’s start with our first question.

When it comes to fibroids, the emotional impact doesn’t seem to be widely discussed or even addressed. Why do you think that is? #fibroidschat

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

Do you think this is because they have had certain feelings for so long that they now think this is normal? #fibroidschat

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

Yes definitely that is one of the reasons. Woman feel a lot of emotions but at times it becomes part of life so you do not question this as much and just get on with life so to say unfortunately. It’s like it is second nature. #FibroidsChat

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

Emotions are something that people in general and especially woman won’t focus on as much linked to Fibroids as it won’t be the first or second thing you would think about.#FibroidsChat (1/2)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

Some woman go through menopause symptoms or premenstrual emotions and linking Fibroid to their emotions might be the last thing.
Also, people can relate to physical problems better.#FibroidsChat (3/3)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

I guess based on what you have said, there may be just a lack of awareness that a woman’s emotions may be affected by her experience with fibroids #fibroidschat

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

Yes and even some professionals miss that point to look at the emotions #FibroidsChat

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

Related to this when, we’ve discussed this in the past you’ve mentioned that women with fibroids when asked about their emotional health, they haven’t been able to explain any effects. Why do you think this is? #fibroidschat

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

Yes, that is true. When I was asked to do the seminar, I went to do my research and was amazed as in shocked how little information was available about the emotions that are linked to Fibroids and I decided to ask some of my friends. #FibroidsChat (1/4)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

I first realized how many women I knew had it and second most of them couldn’t really tell me how they felt it affected them emotionally. #FibroidsChat (2/4)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

I think there are different reasons why this is, they have feelings like this for a long time or some think it might be normal but also not everyone is used to scan their emotions and look where they come from. #FibroidsChat (3/4)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

Some of the emotions are similar maybe menopausal or ptsd or premenstrual feelings and it might not be noticeable that it’s the actual Fibroids. #FibroidsChat (4/4)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

That’s really interesting, so what could be the impact of not identifying and dealing with the emotional impact of #fibroids? #fibroidschat

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

Cause nobody cares. It’s just another condition to ignore. And cause men ain’t bleeding half to death from it.

— On My Balls, Suck (@MavenMars) May 30, 2018

Sadly, it can feel that nobody cares, we hope that this will change with all of us raising awareness #fibroidschat

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

Raising awareness is the start so people start to understand and support but also to let woman feel comfortable to speak about something sensitive like this. #FibroidsChat

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

Yes! That is so important, creating a comfortable environment for discussion is key #fibroidschat

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

That’s really interesting, so what could be the impact of not identifying and dealing with the emotional impact of #fibroids? #fibroidschat

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

If someone does not deal with emotional pain then on the long term it can affect your general mental wellbeing. #FibroidsChat (1/3)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

For example, not eating properly can lead to sickness, weight loss, not getting enough nutrition. If the symptoms are severe you can go into a depression, might be able to relate to the world anymore, but that would be when the symptoms go on for a long time #FibroidsChat (2/3)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

It could also affect your household, work and friend relationships because of your mood swings or bad temper or not being able to focus on work. #FibroidsChat (3/3)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

.@OHServices2018 Can you break down how fibroids could affect a women’s mental health and emotions? I like how you categorise it into before and after diagnosis. Let’s start with before their diagnosis #fibroidschat

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

Yes it can be helpful to know how the emotions are varied at different stages during your journey. #FibroidsChat (1/4)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

Before the diagnosis you might have a fear of the unknown as you can feel something is wrong but you are not clear what it is. The concern can turn into paranoia or feeling unsettled. #FibroidsChat (2/4)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

You might feel fear for the results and with that can come the lost of control. These can bring up anxiety or even panic attacks.
Dealing with the constant pain can lead to being irritable or snappy to people around you. #FibroidsChat (3/4)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

A sensitive one is the vaginal examination. This can be very uncomfortable and especially for some who have experienced sexual abuse or assault. The examination can bring flashbacks or even physical reactions. #FibroidsChat (4/4)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

@OHServices2018, before we come on to solutions. What emotions may women experience after they receive a diagnosis of #fibroids? #fibroidschat

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

After the diagnosis there could be a fear of the Fibroids growing back and again you can feel unsettled and being able to deal with this could mean the fear leading into other parts in your life. #FibroidsChat (1/3)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

After the diagnosis there could be a fear of the Fibroids growing back and again you can feel unsettled and being able to deal with this could mean the fear leading into other parts in your life. #FibroidsChat (1/3)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

For example: you might now unconsciously be unsettled at work as well because of the lost of your general confidence. #FibroidsChat (2/3)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

It might also be a challenge to know which treatment to use. There is so much information about how to treat Fibroids and it can difficult to decide what is best for you with receiving to much information. #FibroidsChat (3/3)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

Thank you Olivia for taking us through the emotions that women make experience before and after a diagnosis of #fibroids. It’s important to raise awareness of these issue so that women can get the support they need.

Now, the most important part – solutions #fibroidschat

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

What are the solutions? What can women do to address this and improve their mental health? #fibroidschat

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

Yes solutions that is always the nice part . As we heard previously on one of your chats already looking into your diet is very helpful. Food affects our mood so definitely monitor which foods affects your mood. #FibroidsChat (1/4)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

Educating yourself about the condition helps so you know what your options are and you are aware what it exactly is what you are going through. #FibroidsChat (2/4)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

Positive thinking techniques can help to deal with negative thinking, fears and concerns. Speaking to people you trust or a professional can help you to get off your chest. #FibroidsChat (3/4)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

Some people find it easier to speak to a professional as this is confidential and it is someone that you do not know but for some the opposite is true. Find out what works for you.
Find some grounding techniques that work for you. #FibroidsChat (4/4)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

There are more before and after that I couldn’t mention because of time but it gives an idea to start with. #FibroidsChat

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

.@OHServices2018, you are a counsellor and I know some of the issues we’ve touched on today may have been quite sensitive so if anyone would like to reach out to you to discuss this further, how can they reach you? #fibroidschat

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

This is just the start of a conversation and soo much that can be discussed so if anyone would like to contact me please follow me of course but you can always email me on ohservices@counsellor.com or call 00 44 7577 565 218 #FibroidsChat

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

Also, you’ll be organising an online course on the emotional impact of #fibroids, can you tell us a bit more about this and how women can register for this? And then we will wrap up the chat #fibroidschat @OHServices2018

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

Thanks for mentioning that. I will be launching my live workshop and it will be a course over a few weeks to really discuss, explore and learn about this and looking at solutions in much more details as what we discussed today. #FibroidsChat (1/2)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

it will entail little bit of home work and it could really be a period to understand your emotions more. The course is also helpful for professionals that would like to support their clients better or family and friends who would like to support someone. #FibroidsChat (2/2)

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

I hope that people will be interested but I keep everyone up to date as the course will be quit helpful as it is not a one off workshop. As it will be weekly hopefully that will help to stay focus on working our moving forward in a positive way. #FibroidsChat

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) May 30, 2018

This is a very important conversation. Not many understand the heavy toll fibroids place on a woman’s emotional well-being. We need to ensure that women have the tools they need to address all facets of a fibroid diagnosis. #FibroidsChat

— CAREAboutFibroids (@CAREAbtFibroids) May 30, 2018

Hi @OHServices2018 and @lakehealthwell Great Chat on having #Fibroids and how it can affect your emotions #FibroidsChat #FibroidChat

— Fibroid Network UK (@fibroidsupport) May 30, 2018

Well…. that’s it for today’s #FibroidsChat. Thank u all for joining us. I think we can all agree that Olivia provided some really useful information today

To find out more about the great work that Olivia is doing around mental health, visit her website https://t.co/w7oaShO067

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) May 30, 2018

There is very poor support for women with fibroids emotionally and it is seen as something woman should just live with. The pain, impact on fertility and menopause is too often forgotten

— Julie Sunkwa-Mills (@Julesunkwamills) June 3, 2018

Sadly, this has been the case for too long, but @OHServices2018 is aiming to change this with their new course focusing specifically on this topic.

— Lake Health and Wellbeing (@lakehealthwell) June 4, 2018

Conversations like this help spread the word about fibroids and let women know it’s okay to talk & share their experiences

— Le’Nise Brothers (@eatlovemove) June 4, 2018

YES thanks for that comment👍🏾you are so right and i really hope that these conversations will start some inside for woman and others to understand how this impacts soo many lives. And ofcourse get support with that. #emotions

— OH Services (@OHServices2018) June 6, 2018

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