Understanding the Struggles of Black Women with Fibroids

From childbirth to menstruation, pain is often seen as a normal part of being a woman. It is something women learn to handle quietly instead of talking about. People often say women are built to endure pain. For many Black women dealing with fibroids, this expectation can be very heavy.

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that come from the muscle tissue of the uterus. They are common and many women might not even notice they have them. For others, fibroids can cause heavy or long menstrual bleeding, severe cramps, pelvic pain and pressure, anemia, pain during sex, and problems with getting pregnant.

The situation is more serious for Black women. Research shows that fibroids are more common among Black women. They often develop at younger ages and can be larger, more numerous, and more painful. A review from 2024 said fibroids might affect up to 70 percent of women by age 50, with Black women facing a much higher risk than White women.

This difference is so well-known that fibroids are sometimes called the “Black woman’s curse.” While this phrase expresses the pain of women living with fibroids, it can make it seem like they are destined to suffer. The truth is that many women live with these symptoms for years before they get the care they need.

Moyo Awotile understands this struggle well. Her journey started in 2018 when she missed her period and went to see a doctor. An ultrasound showed she had fibroids and another reproductive health condition. At that time, she did not realize how serious the diagnosis would become. She carried on with her life, but over the years, her periods got harder to manage. The pain grew, her cycle became irregular, and sometimes the cramps made it hard for her to eat. Eventually, she returned to Avon Medical for a solution.

Moyo’s story highlights a less talked about reality of fibroids: Women often adjust their lives around their symptoms. A period becomes something to plan for, and heavy bleeding affects what clothes can be worn and how long one can stay out. Pain can interfere with work, social life, and relationships. Fatigue is often accepted as normal, even when it comes from blood loss and anemia.

Doctors say that heavy or painful periods that disrupt normal life need medical attention. But discussions about menstrual health are often uncomfortable in many communities. This leaves some women to accept symptoms that should lead to seeking medical help.

There is also a lack of knowledge about fibroids among Black women in Africa. A review of research on Black women in sub-Saharan Africa found big gaps in understanding the disease, including how common it is and what causes it. This shows that more research is needed on fibroids in African communities.

For women who need treatment, the decision can be scary. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for fibroids. Depending on the size and place of the fibroids, how bad the symptoms are, age, and family planning, treatment options can vary. These options include medication, monitoring, uterine artery embolization, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery. For example, myomectomy removes fibroids while keeping the uterus, while hysterectomy removes the uterus and is usually considered when other treatments don’t work.

For Moyo, surgery became the choice, and she had an open abdominal myomectomy. During the surgery, doctors found multiple fibroids weighing over 1.5 kilograms in total. Her story did not end there, as recovery became another important part of her journey.

She remembers the support she got from her family, colleagues, and others around her. She describes community as a big part of her healing. The medical team at Avon Medical also checked up on her after the surgery, including a follow-up two weeks later.

This focus on care after the procedure is important because recovery is often left out of talks about fibroids. A successful surgery might fix the immediate issue, but the patient still has to deal with pain, mobility, anxiety, follow-up appointments, and slowly returning to everyday life.

Moyo’s biggest realization came after she recovered. She saw a big improvement in her life quality and a new sense of peace.

Her story shows why we need to talk about fibroids beyond just diagnosis. Avon Medical’s documentary, “Overcoming Fibroids: A Journey of Care and Compassion,” aims to change this by focusing on living through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. This shows how healthcare can go beyond just a procedure to include communication, follow-up, and support.

But the bigger issue goes beyond one woman or one hospital. For women, especially Black women, fibroids remain a serious health issue that needs more open talks, better research, and quicker help.

Calling fibroids a “curse” shows how many women have felt about this condition for generations. But it should not decide how the future looks. A diagnosis does not have to mean a life sentence, and treatment should go beyond just removing fibroids. It should also be about whether a woman can return to work without fear, go through her day without pain, manage her life without anxiety, and regain the quality of life she lost.

This is the conversation we need to have now. It is not just about how many women have fibroids, but how many have changed their lives around them, and how many could live better if they had the right information, support, and care to seek help sooner.