Sestra Health

🦋 World Preeclampsia Day 2026: Maternal Health Equity Matters

Today, May 22, is World Preeclampsia Day! While preeclampsia can affect any pregnancy, the reality is that it does not affect everyone equally.

Black and Brown women face significantly higher rates of preeclampsia and experience more severe, life-threatening complications due to systemic healthcare disparities. @sestra_health we believe that education is the first step toward powerful self-advocacy.



Knowing the warning signs can save a life. Listen to your body and look out for:

* Sudden swelling (especially in the face and hands)
* Severe, persistent headaches
* Changes in vision (blurriness, flashing lights)
* Upper abdominal pain



Your Voice is Your Power: If something feels wrong, do not hesitate to speak up. Insist on having your blood pressure checked, ask direct questions, and ensure your concerns are thoroughly addressed by your healthcare provider. We see you, we hear you, and we remember.



#WorldPreeclampsiaDay #MaternalHealthEquity #SestraHealth #BlackMaternalHealth #PatientAdvocacy #PreEclampsiaAwareness #HearHer

1 week ago | [YT] | 1

Sestra Health

The Science of Menstrual Clots: What’s Happening Inside?

During your menstrual cycle, the body naturally sheds the endometrial lining of the uterus. This mixture consists of blood, tissue, mucus, and byproducts.

To help this thick mixture pass easily through the cervix, your body releases anticoagulants (natural blood thinners). However, on the heaviest days of your flow, the volume of blood can outpace your body’s ability to produce these thinners. When this happens, the blood begins to pool and coagulate either inside the uterus or at the back of the vagina, forming a menstrual clot.


The Clinical Classification of Menstrual Clots


Medically, the evaluation of period clots centers entirely on size, frequency, and accompanying symptoms. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the CDC, the sizing breakdown is classified as follows:



Normal / Minor Rice grain to a pea Entirely Normal Standard variation during peak flow days. No medical intervention needed.


Moderate | Up to a dime or quarter (approx. 1 inch / 2.5 cm) **Track Closely** Normal if it occurs occasionally on day 1 or 2. If frequent or paired with pain, it requires tracking. |

Large / Abnormal Larger than a quarter (or golf ball/lemon-sized) | Abnormal (Menorrhagia) A strong clinical indicator of heavy menstrual bleeding or an underlying uterine/hormonal condition. |


Underlying Causes of Large Menstrual Clots


When a person routinely passes blood clots larger than a quarter, it is usually a sign of an underlying medical condition impacting the reproductive or endocrine system:


*Uterine Fibroids or Polyps: Noncancerous growths in or on the muscular walls of the uterus. They can obstruct the cavity, causing blood to pool and clot while drastically increasing the overall surface area of the uterine lining.

*Hormonal Imbalances (PCOS & Perimenopause): Conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), hypothyroidism, or perimenopause can disrupt regular ovulation. Without balanced progesterone and estrogen, the uterine lining can over-thicken before shedding, resulting in massive clots.


*Endometriosis and Adenomyosis: Endometriosis causes uterine-like tissue to grow outside the uterus. Adenomyosis occurs when this lining grows directly into the muscular walls of the uterus, causing severe swelling, excruciating pain, and heavy, clotted bleeding.


*Bleeding Disorders: Underlying conditions like Von Willebrand disease impair the body's natural ability to clot correctly, manifesting outwardly as heavy, prolonged menstrual bleeding.


*Early Pregnancy Loss: Passing sudden, unusually large, or grayish clots alongside intense cramping can sometimes indicate an early miscarriage before a person realizes they are pregnant.




When to Seek a Physician


According to clinical criteria from the CDC, you should schedule an evaluation with a gynecologist or primary care provider if your period meets any of the following parameters:


1. Size: You regularly pass clots larger than a quarter (1 inch / 2.5 cm).

2. Saturation: You soak through one or more pads or tampons every hour for consecutive hours.

3. Duration:Bleeding or spotting lasts for more than 7 consecutive days.

4. Disruption: The heavy flow or severe cramping forces you to miss work, school, or daily activities.



⚠️ **When to Seek Immediate Emergency Care:**

Go to urgent care or an emergency room if your heavy bleeding is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, shortness of breath, or extreme pallor (pale skin). These are acute signs of severe blood loss or secondary iron-deficiency anemia.

1 week ago | [YT] | 2

Sestra Health

Sestra Health has a disclaimer specifically addressing this and why representation in healthcare matters more than many people realize. For Black and Brown women, having physicians who look like them can create safer spaces for honest conversations, earlier diagnoses, stronger trust, and better health outcomes. Too often, women of color report feeling dismissed, unheard, or overlooked when expressing pain and symptoms. Culturally competent care helps bridge those gaps by acknowledging lived experiences, understanding cultural differences, and reducing unconscious bias in medicine.


Studies have shown that patient/ provider racial and cultural concordance can improve communication, increase patient satisfaction, and encourage preventative care and follow-up treatment. Seeing doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals who reflect our communities also inspires the next generation to pursue careers in medicine and advocacy.


Every woman deserves to feel seen, heard, respected, and protected in healthcare spaces. Representation is not about division, it is about equity, trust, understanding, and saving lives.


@sestra_health we believe Black and Brown women deserve healthcare that listens, learns, and advocates with them because our stories, symptoms, and experiences matter. 🤎✨



#SestraHealth #BlackMaternalHealth #HealthEquity #RepresentationMatters #BlackWomenInMedicine #BrownWomenInMedicine #WomensHealth #HealthcareDisparities #MedicalEquity #BIPOCHealth #WomenDeserveBetter #InclusiveHealthcare #AdvocateForYourHealth #CulturallyCompetentCare

1 week ago | [YT] | 2

Sestra Health

7 DAYS UNTIL Sestra Health officially drops! 🎉✨

What started as a vision turned into long nights, research, tears, passion, purpose, and a mission bigger than ourselves. Building @sestra_health has been a journey rooted in love for women, especially Black and Brown women who deserve to feel seen, heard, educated, and empowered in their healthcare experiences.


We created Sestra because too many women have been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or left searching for answers alone. This app is more than cycle tracking, it’s a safe space for education, hormone support, symptom tracking, wellness tools, advocacy, and community. 💕

We truly couldn’t be more excited to finally share this with the world. Thank you to everyone supporting us on this journey. We’re just getting started. 🚀


💡 Sestra Health Tip of the Day:
If your symptoms are being ignored, start keeping a detailed symptom journal. Track your cycle, energy levels, mood changes, sleep, pain, cravings, and any unusual symptoms. Bringing documented patterns to appointments can help providers take your concerns more seriously and support earlier diagnosis.


Who’s excited for launch day?! 👀👇



#SestraHealth #WomensHealth #HormoneHealth #CycleHealth #BlackWomensHealth #HealthEquity #PCOSAwareness #PMOS #MenopauseSupport #Perimenopause #HealthTech #BuiltForWomen

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

Sestra Health

Sis, it’s time to stop settling for a healthcare experience that wasn't made for you. 🙅🏾‍♀️✨

We’re launching Sestra Health because we believe every woman deserves to be her own best advocate. We’re bringing the education, the tools, and the community vibes straight to your phone.

Built for the women the world forgets. We see you, we hear you, and we’re here for you. 🦋🤎

Check back daily for updates and sneak peeks of the app! Who’s ready for the launch? 🙋🏻‍♀️🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🏾‍♀️🙋🏿‍♀️

#SestraHealth #EmpoweredWomen #Sisterhood #HealthAdvocate #DiversityInHealth #ComingSoon

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

Sestra Health

What’s NOT talked about enough:


1. Higher risk at LOWER weights

Latina women can develop insulin resistance even if they are not visibly overweight. This means many are told they’re “fine” until the condition has already progressed.


2. Insulin resistance starts EARLY

Research shows Latina girls and young women may develop insulin resistance in their teens or 20s long before diagnosis.


3. Hormones play a huge role

Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome are more common and often undiagnosed
driving: Irregular periods
Weight gain around the abdomen
Blood sugar issues


4. Pregnancy is a turning point

Gestational diabetes is more common in Latina women and many don’t realize: It significantly increases the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes later in life


5. It’s not just diet

Yes, food matters but so do:
Chronic stress (financial, family, immigration-related stressors) Poor sleep & Limited access to preventative care



Follow @sestra_health for more insights and information like this for black and brown women


#LatinaHealth #HispanicHealth #WomensHealthMatters #HormoneHealth #PCOSAwareness #DiabetesAwareness #CervicalCancerAwareness #EndTheSilence #PreventativeCare #HealthEquity #BrownWomenHealth #SestraHealth

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

Sestra Health

Black women continue to face some of the largest healthcare disparities in the United States and these gaps are not because Black women are “less healthy,” but because systemic barriers, medical bias, underrepresentation, and unequal access to quality care still exist.

According to the CDC, Black women are 3–4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Studies have also shown that Black patients are less likely to have their pain taken seriously and are more likely to experience delayed diagnoses for conditions like fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS, and autoimmune disorders.

@Sestra Health, we believe awareness is power.
That’s why we’re creating a space centered on education, advocacy, culturally competent care, and access to providers who truly listen and understand.

When we focus on the women most impacted, we create stronger healthcare systems for everyone.

This is not about exclusion.
It’s about correction, equity, and ensuring that no woman feels ignored, dismissed, or unseen when it comes to her health.


Because when Black women rise, we all rise. 🦋


#SestraHealth #BlackWomensHealth #HealthEquity #MaternalHealth #WomensHealth #BlackMaternalHealth #HealthcareDisparities #EndometriosisAwareness #PCOSAwareness #FibroidAwareness #HormoneHealth #BrownSkinWomen #CulturallyCompetentCare #WomenSupportingWomen #HealthAdvocacy #MedicalBias #HealthEducation #WellnessForWomen #EmpoweredWomen #WomensWellness #HealthJustice #InclusiveHealthcare #BlackWomenMatter #MentalAndPhysicalHealth #WomenAndWellness

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

Sestra Health

📋 Your Advocacy Checklist: How to Order Tests & Insist on Care
Don’t wait for a provider to offer a test if you feel something is wrong. You have the right to request specific diagnostics.


1. Ask for Specific Tests
If you have symptoms like persistent fatigue, unusual pain, or irregular cycles, ask for:

Full Blood Panels: (CBC, Iron/Ferritin, Vitamin D, Thyroid/TSH).

Heart Health: EKG, Echocardiogram, or a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test to check for inflammation.

Cancer Screenings: If you are overdue for a Pap smear or HPV test, or if you feel a lump, insist on an ultrasound or biopsy, even if a physical exam is "normal."


2. The "Note it in My Chart" Strategy
If a doctor refuses to order a test or dismisses your pain:

"I understand you don't feel this test is necessary right now. Please document your refusal to order this test in my medical record and provide me with the clinical reasoning for that decision."
Often, this request prompts providers to reconsider to avoid liability and ensure thoroughness.


3. Bring "The Receipts"
Keep a Symptom Journal: Note dates, times, pain levels (1-10), and triggers.

Family History: Be vocal about relatives who had heart disease, diabetes, or reproductive cancers.


4. Bring Support
If possible, bring a "Plus One" (a partner, friend, or doula). Having a witness or a second set of ears can change the dynamic of the room and ensure your questions are answered.



🦋 Sestra Health: We Remember the Women the World Forgets

@sestra_health we are committed to closing the gap. We believe every woman deserves to be seen, heard, and treated with the highest standard of care. Your life is valuable, your pain is real, and your health is a priority.

Stay Informed. Stay Vocal. Stay Empowered.

#SestraHealth #BlackWomensHealth #MaternalMortality #HealthEquity #PatientAdvocacy #SelfAdvocacy #BlackMaternalHealth #HealthcareDisparities #ListenToBlackWomen #OrderTheTest

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 1

Sestra Health

Ovarian cancer remains the deadliest gynecologic cancer for Black women, yet awareness and early detection are often lacking. 🖤 Symptoms like bloating, pelvic pain, frequent urination, and feeling full quickly should never be ignored. Because many symptoms can seem “normal,” ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at later stages.

At Sestra Health, we believe education saves lives. Knowing your body, advocating for answers, and prioritizing routine care can make a difference. ✨

#SestraHealth #OvarianCancer #BlackWomenHealth #WomensHealth #HealthEquity #GynecologicCancer #KnowYourBody #CancerAwareness #HormoneHealth #AdvocateForYourself #HealthcareMatters #EarlyDetection #BlackWomenWellness

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 0

Sestra Health

Hormonal health affects far more than just your menstrual cycle, it can influence your energy levels, mood, metabolism, sleep, skin, fertility, weight changes, and overall well-being.

Hormones act as the body’s chemical messengers, helping different systems communicate and stay balanced.

For many women, hormonal imbalances can show up as irregular periods, painful cycles, fatigue, acne, hair thinning, mood swings, bloating, low libido, or difficulty losing weight. Conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, thyroid disorders, fibroids, and perimenopause can also impact hormone health and are often underdiagnosed, especially in Black and Brown women.

Supporting hormonal wellness starts with listening to your body and prioritizing consistent care:
• Nourishing your body with balanced meals and enough protein
• Managing stress levels and getting quality sleep
• Staying active and hydrated
• Tracking symptoms and cycle changes
• Advocating for proper testing and medical support when something feels off

@sestra_health , we believe women deserve education, culturally competent care, and tools that help them better understand their bodies, because hormonal care is healthcare but right at your finger tips. 💙🦋



#HormonalHealth #WomensHealth #SestraHealth #PCOSAwareness #HormoneBalance #BlackWomensHealth #CycleHealth #EndometriosisAwareness #FibroidAwareness #MenstrualHealth #Perimenopause #SelfCareForWomen #HealthEquity #WomenSupportingWomen #HormoneHealing #WellnessJourney #ReproductiveHealth #HealthcareForWomen #BIPOCHealth #EmpoweredWomen

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 0