A Hidden Struggle

Jenny Pierre’s impressive educational background includes a master’s degree in business administration and fluency in five languages. Despite her qualifications, Pierre faced a condition common among many women but often overlooked in discussions—severe menstrual complications. “At my lowest point, my menstruation was 28 days per month. It was very painful. I would end up in the emergency room, I really can’t count how many times they would just treat me for the night and send me back home,” she recounted.

Countless consultations ended with doctors assuring her there was nothing to worry about, yet her worsening health severely impacted her personal and professional life.

The Impact of Health on Life

Pierre faced multiple emergency room visits and a devastating miscarriage, which led her to lose a job she had held for years. “It was really hard. I lost a really good job because I always ended up in the emergency room and I couldn’t go to work,” she shared.

A Path to Diagnosis

After a frustrating journey, Pierre found hope through a gynecologist who correctly identified that her health struggles were related to fibroids—abnormal growths in the uterus. This discovery led her to Dr. Steven Fein, a hematologist with expertise in women’s health at HemeOnCall. Dr. Fein diagnosed her with fibroids and a blood clot issue contributing to severe iron deficiency and anemia.

“Many women have an iron deficiency, and we know that Black women have a twofold higher iron deficiency compared to white women. As many as 50% of all Black women have iron deficiency,” said Dr. Fein.

He added that Hispanic women face similar barriers often due to a lack of awareness about the necessary testing for iron levels.

Challenges in Diagnosis

Dr. Fein emphasized a significant issue in healthcare: “It’s a big challenge. Doctors don’t know to test the iron because it’s a separate thing to test besides the hemoglobin number. So a lot of times, doctors see that your hemoglobin looks okay, and they don’t test the iron separately.”

Transformation Through Treatment

Thanks to regular iron infusions, Pierre experienced a remarkable improvement in her health. “After my first iron transfusion, it was day and night. I’d wake up and I didn’t feel like I was going to fall down. I didn’t feel that tiredness,” she explained.

After nearly two years of suffering, Pierre is now thriving, managing her consulting company, and recently received joyous news: she is expecting twins.

Pierre encourages other women facing health difficulties, stating, “I would say advocate for yourself.” Dr. Fein recommends that all women undergo iron testing periodically, especially during pregnancy, and for anyone experiencing fatigue or shortness of breath.

Maternal Health Disparities

Dr. Fein cautioned about the higher risks faced by Black women, who experience three times higher mortality rates during pregnancy, increased instances of premature births, and elevated rates of stillbirths. His research indicates a worrying connection between these disparities and iron deficiency.

April 11-17 is recognized as Black Maternal Health Week, aimed at raising awareness and advocating for improved maternal health conditions in the African American community.