When it comes to women’s health, some conversations don’t get the attention they deserve, especially in the Black community. One such topic is fibroids. These non-cancerous growths in or around the uterus affect a staggering 80% of Black women by the age of 50, compared to 70% of white women.
Fibroid can significantly interfere with a woman’s life, causing a range of symptoms from heavy bleeding and pelvic pain to infertility and more. However, most fibroids do not cause symptoms or require treatment, but in some cases, their size and location within the uterus may lead to symptoms that require medical attention.
Despite being a common condition, particularly for Black women, many suffer in silence, dismissing their symptoms and hoping they miraculously go away. Some other women don’t even know they have fibroids as they do not experience any of these symptoms.
Different Types of Fibroids:
There are different types of fibroids, which are generally classified based on their location within the uterus.
Subserosal Fibroids:
Located in the outer wall of the uterus, these makeup about 55% of all fibroids.
Intramural Fibroids:
Found within the muscular layers of the uterine wall, accounting for approximately 40% of fibroids.
Submucosal Fibroids:
These grow into the uterine cavity and represent around 5% of fibroids.
Fibroids can also be pedunculated, meaning they are attached to the uterus by a stalk. They may occasionally occur in the cervix or attach to nearby organs such as the bladder and bowel through the surrounding ligaments.
Why are fibroids more common in Black Women? The reason for the disparity is not clear as researchers are still trying to figure it out. However, some evidence links environmental factors such as diet and history of abuse to Black women’s increased risk. Another study linked vitamin D insufficiency with increased fibroid risk in Black women.
Women Share What It’s Like to Live with Uterine Fibroids
Victoria, 28, Lagos
Sometime in March 2022, Victoria started having terrible pain in her lower abdomen. She kept enduring, hoping it would go away. But it became worse. When it became extremely painful to pass urine, she had to summon the courage to finally see a doctor.
“My Doctor ordered some tests, then an ultrasound, and I was told I had multiple fibroids which were pressing on my bladder, the reason I was experiencing pain while urinating. The doctor advised me to take it out as it was going to cause harm due to the position. I was given medication and told to come back for surgery. The medication helped with pain, as it subsided.”
As she stopped feeling the pain, Victoria gave up on surgery. However, the pain returned a few weeks later. She started looking for alternatives as she didn’t want to go for surgery.
“I was introduced to different herbs, traditional and Chinese medicine which they claimed had the powers to shrink the fibroid. There was this pad where I had to soak in water for 24 hours and then drink it. At a point, I realized I was just wasting my time with these herbs as I wasn’t seeing any results. Rather, I started noticing blood when I peed.”
Victoria finally summoned the courage to go for surgery in September 2022. Though it was a painful process, she’s glad she took that step. Her periods have returned to normal, unlike when she was having very heavy flow and visiting the restroom every hour.
Mitchelle, 41, Abuja
Mitchelle is one of those who have no symptoms. She was 38 years old at the time and had a normal cycle, no heavy flow, and no pain. When she had a spinal injury in 2021, she was asked to go for an MRI. It was this MRI that revealed she had multiple fibroids.
“It came as a shock to me cause I had no symptoms. The doctor said it was in a bad position. Due to the size and location, I was advised to book surgery as soon as possible, which was what I did. I did not even think twice about it. When I saw the things the doctors brought out, I couldn’t believe it: two big fibroids and about eight small ones. One was weighing close to what a newborn baby would weigh.
“After the surgery, the doctor said I should consider getting pregnant as there is a chance of it growing back.”
Annabelle, 47, Wales
Before Annabelle left Nigeria for the UK in January 2023, she had been told she had fibroids, and with time, her symptoms started to get worse.
“My periods have become a nightmare for me as I experience the most excruciating pain. My flow is extremely heavy, and I have to change hourly. I keep losing so much blood. I have even become anemic. The most annoying part of this whole thing is the health system over here. They keep giving me blood capsules to build my blood. I don’t need blood capsules; I need a solution, but these foreign medical personnel are not taking me seriously. I have had to change my diet, cutting out flour, red meat, sugar, and other things they said are feeding the fibroids.”
Annabelle has finally decided to return to Nigeria for a myomectomy as she’s not getting the attention she needs abroad.
“I have already booked my surgery in Lagos. I will be coming back in April to have this thing removed so I can have a semblance of peace.”
Anita, 39, Ghana
“The first indication that I had fibroids was when my stomach began protruding for no reason. I was doing sit-ups and all the other YouTube exercises for a flat tummy, avoiding eating late, cutting down on junk, and practicing portion control, but my tummy remained big.”
It became a thing of concern for Anita, and she had to see a doctor. She was told the location of her fibroids posed a serious threat to her fertility.
“I had a myomectomy in March 2023 to remove the fibroids. The recovery process was not easy as I had no one. In 2024, I was informed that I have a new set of fibroids that are growing, but I’m not about to go for any surgery. I just pray it goes away.”
Treatment Options for Fibroids in African American Women
Dealing with fibroids can be frustrating and overwhelming, but you are not alone. Thankfully, numerous forms of treatment can be tailored to a patient’s specific needs. You can opt for removal or treatment.
Fibroid removal typically involves a surgical procedure and a lengthy recovery process, while fibroid treatment doesn’t necessarily mean removal. It can mean finding alternative methods to stop fibroids from growing, shrinking them, and, most importantly, providing relief from symptoms.
Here are a few options:
Myomectomy:
This preserves the uterus while removing the fibroids. As a result, it is the procedure of choice for women who want to get pregnant.
Hysterectomy:
This is a permanent treatment because it removes all or part of a woman’s uterus and fibroids and prevents new fibroids from growing. In some cases, her fallopian tubes and ovaries are removed, too.
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE):
It is a minimally invasive procedure that blocks off the blood supply to the fibroids, causing them to shrink and die. It is low risk, has no incision, is faster than other options, and is an alternative to surgery.
Acessa:
Essentially, what the doctor does is deliver heat directly into a fibroid to treat the tissue and, in turn, relieve your symptoms. A small probe is placed into a fibroid and heated. By heating the fibroid, it is ultimately destroyed.
Endometrial Ablation:
It is a process that destroys the lining of the uterus and can be used to treat fibroids that are no larger than 3 centimeters.
Some other options include hormone therapy to shrink the size of the masses, as well as introducing birth control pills, IUDs, or progesterone shots to help curb bleeding and pain.
Other women may consider adding supplements or certain foods to their diet. A 2022 study published in Nutrients, a peer-reviewed scientific journal of human nutrition, also showed that a vitamin A-rich diet might prevent or limit the growth of fibroids. Additional research has found that people who tend to eat at least four servings of fruit or vegetables a day are less likely to develop fibroids in comparison to those who only ate one serving in the same timeframe.
Raising Awareness About Fibroids
Uterine fibroids is a condition that is all too common in the Black community but is often not discussed. Beyond the physical pain, women also go through emotional turmoil, pretending to be fine when in reality, they are not.
Some even shy away from treatment due to false narratives they have heard. Some continue to manage their symptoms till they can’t anymore. A study published in the Journal of Women’s Health states that Black women take an average of almost four years to seek treatment. By this point, their symptoms are likely worse, and the number of uterine fibroids may have doubled in size and quantity, making treatment much more difficult.
The more we shy away from this topic, the more women feel woefully unprepared for the journey and uneducated about their options.
It is important to have open conversations about fibroids. This way, women will be empowered to ask questions, to get answers, and to stop suffering in silence. As a Black woman, you need to take charge of your health. If you suspect you have fibroids, you need to speak up, get a second opinion, know your options, and build a support system.
You are not alone in this journey.
