By Wanique Block
In a self published article for Women’s Health Magazine 18-year-old ‘Black-ish’ actress, Marsai Martin opens up about her “scary” Ovarian Cyst diagnosis.
At only 14-years-old Marsai’s menstrual symptoms got really bad to a point where she would experience excruciating pain and nausea that would ultimately affect her work and social life.
“… my symptoms got really bad when I turned 14. Every month, on the first day of my cycle, I would have excruciating pain and nausea. It affected my work, my social life—everything. I was so sick, I couldn’t leave the house. This usually lasted for a few days”, Marsai tells Women’s Health Magazine.
It was only three years later when the ‘Little’ actress and producer learned that she had a grapefruit sized Ovarian Cyst that was contributing to her painful periods.
“One day, when I was 17, I just couldn’t take it anymore. I had extreme cramps and I was so nauseous, I wasn’t able to eat or drink. It felt like I couldn’t move. The slightest sip of water would make me projectile vomit. I had lower back pain, dizziness, migraines, and tender breasts”, she wrote.
After a second appointment with her gynaecologist, as a means for treatment Marsai’s doctor suggested that she could either take birth control to manage and help shrink her cyst or she could get Laparoscopic surgery to remove the entire cyst.
In September 2022, Marsai Martin made the decision to get the Laparoscopic surgery.
Despite not having a perfect menstrual cycle, Marsai notes that she now lives a normal life without experiencing “debilitating period pain”.
She in turn hopes that her story will encourage other women to not accept a life of pain.
“I hope my story will encourage other women to not accept a life of pain, to get a second opinion. Pain is not normal. I want other women to talk about their pain, and to keep speaking out until they’re taken seriously. And to the women out there suffering silently right now: You owe it to yourself to speak up!”, she shares.
What are Ovarian Cysts?
According to Webmd, Ovarian Cysts are solid or fluid-filled pockets in or on your ovary. Most of the time, cysts are painless and harmless meaning you may get one every time you menstruate and never even know, as they usually go away on their own without treatment.
Ovarian Cysts are often caused by irregular hormones, pregnancy, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and severe pelvic infections.
This means that older women are not the only ones who can be affected by Ovarian Cysts.
Regardless of age, any menstruating person can be diagnosed with Ovarian Cysts.
Ovarian Cyst Symptoms include:
- Lowerback pains
- Pelvic pains
- Pain during sex
- Weight gain
- Unusual vaginal bleeding
- Bloating
- Swelling
- Nausea
- Breast Tenderness
- Excruciating pain during period
