Black Women's Wellness: Your "I've Got This!" Guide to Health, Sex, and Phenomenal Living

by Melody T. McCloud MD, Forbes Montana (Illustrator)

Overview

An essential guide to lifelong health and greater well-being from one of today’s highly regarded women’s health experts
 
 “I offer this book as a Black female to be your one-stop reference on your personal quest to achieve total wellness, health, and happiness in every important aspect of your life.”
 
With the relatability and warmth you want from your doctor, Black Women’s Wellness addresses what most other physician-authored books omit: the unique challenges Black women face, including microaggressions and the less-than-desirable statistics and legacy of health-care outcomes. With comparative data for Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American women, this book provides clear, actionable information so women can live vibrant, healthy lives today.
 
In these pages, you’ll discover head-to-toe information and wisdom on:
 
• The top five medical issues for Black women: heart disease, diabetes, cancers, HIV, and maternal mortality
• The effects of social stress and microaggressions on Black women’s health
• Gynecological conditions including fibroids, endometriosis, and menopause
• Eye conditions: glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration
• Lung conditions: asthma, sarcoidosis, and lupus
• Musculoskeletal conditions: arthritis, fibromyalgia, and others
• Sickle cell disease and multiple sclerosis
• Alzheimer’s, dementia, and personality disorders
• Sex, STDs, sensuality, and relationships
• Beauty, finances, and successful life-management tools
• Self-care, embracing self-worth, and mental well-being
• Health inventory checklists and how to be an empowered patient
 
As a Black female ob-gyn who has cared for Civil Rights matriarchs, internationally known celebrities, and thousands of others, Dr. Melody T. McCloud urges, “If we improve a Black woman’s health, we can improve that of her family and future generations.”
 
Black Women’s Wellness is a long-needed book that will educate and motivate you to achieve your healthiest, richest life possible.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781683648772
Publisher:	Sounds True, Incorporated
Publication date:	01/24/2023
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	366,097
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Melody T. McCloud, MD, Distinguished Alumnae of Emory University School of Medicine, is an obstetrician-gynecologist-surgeon, media consultant, public speaker, and author. She lectures nationwide on women’s health, sex, and social issues and has served on an advisory council of the CDC. Affiliated with Emory University Hospital Midtown, Dr. McCloud was honored as one of the 25 most influential doctors in Atlanta and named Physician of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. She has appeared on CNN, ABC, NBC, Court TV, and in the New York Times, USA Today, the Washington Post, Parade, the New England Journal of Medicine, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and more.
Melody T. McCloud, MD, Distinguished Alumnae of Emory University School of Medicine, is an obstetrician-gynecologist-surgeon, media consultant, public speaker, and author. She lectures nationwide on women’s health, sex, and social issues and has served on an advisory council of the CDC. Affiliated with Emory University Hospital Midtown, Dr. McCloud was honored as one of the 25 most influential doctors in Atlanta and named Physician of the Year by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. She has appeared on CNN, ABC, NBC, Court TV, and in the New York Times, USA Today, the Washington Post, Parade, the New England Journal of Medicine, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and more.

Table of Contents

Introduction: This Is Your Time To Be Healthy, Fit, and Fine! 1

1 The State of Black Women's Health 7

Societal Stress and the "Rejection Connection" 8

Medical Advances for Women 10

Ethnic Health Disparities 11

Leading Causes of Death 12

Facts and Stats of Living Black 16

Part 1 The Top Five Medical Conditions Affecting Black Women's Lives

2 Diseases of the Heart 21

The Expressway to Your Heart 21

Heart Disease: The Number One Killer 22

Myocardial Infarction 24

Hypertension, Coronary Artery Disease, and Stroke 24

Be "Heart Smart" in All You Do 29

3 Obesity and Diabetes 33

Metabolic Syndrome 34

Obesity 34

Diabetes Mellitus 39

4 Maternal Mortality and Perinatal Loss 43

Pregnancy-Related Deaths 43

Miscarriage and Stillbirths 46

To Be or Not to Be … a Mom 46

Pre-conception Counseling 47

Vaccinations and Pregnancy 49

Complications of Pregnancy 50

5 Cancer 55

The "Big C" 55

Catch It Early 56

Many Black Women Don't Have to Die 56

Breast, Lung, Colon, and Gynecologic Cancers 58

6 HIV and AIDS 67

Is He on the Down-Low? 71

Treatment and Prevention of HIV 72

Trust, but Verify 73

Part 2 Your Unique Womanly Form

7 Your Feminine form and the Conditions that Affect It 79

Pelvic Structure and Function 80

The Brain/Body Connection to Menstruation 83

The Menstrual Cycle 84

Gynecological Conditions 84

8 Menopause 107

What Is Menopause? 108

Menopause and Osteoporosis 112

Menopause and Heart Disease 116

Hormone Replacement Therapy 117

Ethnic Response to Menopause 119

Your "Secret Garden": Use It or Lose It! 120

Foxy and Fine after 49! 123

9 Conditions that Affect the Rest of You 125

Eye Conditions 125

Lung Conditions 128

Genitourinary System Conditions 131

Musculoskeletal System Conditions 131

Multiple Sclerosis and Sickle Cell Disease 133

Part 3 Sex, Sensuality, and Relationships

10 Let's Talk about Sex 141

Sexuality 101 142

Proven Benefits of Sex 143

Overcoming Hang-Ups to Get the Hook-Up 145

Sexually Transmitted Diseases 151

11 Sexual Healing, Reclaim the Feeling 165

When Pain Prevents Pleasure 165

You've Lost That Loving Feeling? 167

12 Black Women and Marriage 171

Still Waiting to Exhale? 171

Blacks and Marriage 174

Everybody Needs Love 175

Interracial Dating and Marriage 176

Multiracial Trends 178

"Manless" Does Not Mean Mindless 180

Support from Sister-Friends and Family 182

13 Pearls of Wisdom to Heal Your Relationships 185

First, Do No Harm 185

Ensure Adequate Nutrition 186

Never Underestimate How Much Someone Hurts 186

Remember That Men Feel Pain Too 187

Don't Leave the Tourniquet on for Longer Than Necessary 188

When You're in Over Your Head, Call for Help 188

The Earlier the Diagnosis, the Easier the Treatment 188

Sometimes Surgery Is the Only Option 189

You Are Part of a Team 189

Even the Best Can Make a Mistake 189

It's Easier to Repair a Straight Line Than a Jagged Edge 189

Your Words Can Have a Powerful Emotional Impact 189

It's Easier to Stay Out of Trouble Than to Get Out of Trouble 190

Check Vital Signs Regularly 190

Learn from Your Mistakes 190

Listen 190

If You Can't See the Problem, You Can't Help with the Solution 191

Don't Ignore the Signs and Symptoms 191

14 Domestic Violence and Divorce 193

Intimate Partner Violence 193

Signs of Intimate Partner Violence 198

To Divorce or Not to Divorce? 200

Part 4 Happiness

15 Dream It. Believe It. Achieve It. 207

Moving Beyond Stereotypes 207

Don't Let Others Define You 208

16 You Are Beautiful 213

The Key to Real Beauty 214

The Skin You're In 214

Nail Care 217

The Mane! The Mane! 217

Dental Care 224

Plastic Surgery 225

Make the Best of What You've Got 228

17 A State of Mind 231

Mental Health Disorders 231

Your Brain 232

Aging and Mentation 235

Dementia vs. Alzheimer's Disease 235

Diagnosis and Treatment of Dementia 242

18 Racism's Effect on Black Women's Health 245

The Lasting Impact of First Experiences 246

Emotional Pain and Depression in Black Women 246

The Effects of Social Rejection 248

19 Financial Health and Money Management 251

The Pain of Poverty 251

Envision a Path to Financial Success 253

Managing Your Money 253

20 How to Survive, Thrive, and Stay Alive 257

A Loving Prescription for Black America 257

Life Lessons for Your Daughters … and Theirs 259

Engage Your Phenomenal Spirit 260

Epilogue: Take Time to Take Stock 263

Afterword 265

Acknowledgments 267

Appendix: Health Questionnaire 271

Glossary 277

Notes 283

Resources 293

Index 297

About the Author 307

Editorial Reviews

Whether it’s fibroids, heart disease, diabetes, cancers, maternal mortality, mental health, or life lessons, Black Women’s Wellness gives a blueprint to help us ensure total health. I dedicate my voice to support Dr. McCloud in reaching our Black women.” —Pauletta Washington, musician, actress, wife of Denzel Washington

“This book could not be more relevant. Not just for women’s health, but for general Western medicine. We are at a time when we have learned the importance of individualized, personalized medical care. Black women are known to have specific risk factors that require this kind of individualized care. Gone are the days of ‘one size fits all,’ and this book sheds light on this concept for both health professionals and laypeople alike. Black Women’s Wellness will improve women’s lives.” —Jennifer Ashton, MD, obstetrician-gynecologist, nutritionist, and chief medical correspondent, ABC News and Good Morning America

“Dr. McCloud is faithful to her calling to heal and serve. Black Women’s Wellness is rich with medical advice and inspiring personal anecdotes. And her tips for a successful community and relationship ‘pearls of wisdom’ are a prescription everyone can use.” —Cedric L. Alexander, PsyD, psychologist, author, consultant to MSNBC and network affiliates, and past president, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)

“Black Women’s Wellness is a must-have reference for physical, psychological, and sexual wellness with helpful tips for success in life and love. Finally, we have a book that specifically addresses the path towards health and happiness for our beautiful Black women.” —Jeffrey Gardere, PhD, ABPP, “America's Psychologist,” author, and media consultant to cable and network affiliates

From the Publisher