Black women are disproportionately affected by uterine fibroids—and the reasons are complex. Research shows they are more likely to develop fibroids, develop them at younger ages, experience more severe symptoms, and undergo surgery compared to women of other racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Yet despite how common fibroids are, many Black women spend years believing their symptoms are simply “part of being a woman.”
The good news is that awareness is growing. Earlier diagnosis, greater access to specialists, and more treatment options are helping women find answers sooner and take control of their health.
Why Are Fibroids More Common in Black Women?
Black women are more likely to develop uterine fibroids, often develop them at younger ages, and are more likely to experience larger fibroids and more severe symptoms than women of other racial and ethnic backgrounds.
Research has consistently shown that black women are approximately two to three times more likely to develop uterine fibroids than white women and often experience them years earlier, sometimes in their 20s and 30s.
Research also shows that Black women are more likely to experience:
- Larger fibroids
- Multiple fibroids at the same time
- Faster fibroid growth
- More severe symptoms
- Higher rates of anemia
- Greater likelihood of requiring hospitalization or surgery
While researchers continue to study why this disparity exists, experts believe it is likely due to a combination of factors rather than one single cause.
Current research points to several contributors, including:
- Genetic predisposition
- Hormonal influences
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Environmental exposures
- Differences in access to early diagnosis and specialty care
No single factor tells the whole story—but together, they help explain why fibroids affect Black women differently.
Why Are Fibroid Symptoms So Often Considered “Normal”?
Fibroid symptoms are often considered “normal” because they develop gradually and may be common within families, causing many women to delay seeking medical care.
Because fibroids often develop gradually, many women slowly adapt to heavier periods, worsening cramps, pelvic pressure, or fatigue over time.
For many Black women, these experiences may also be common among mothers, sisters, aunts, or friends, making symptoms feel like a normal part of life rather than a medical condition that deserves evaluation.
Many patients describe:
- Planning their lives around their menstrual cycle
- Carrying extra clothing because of heavy bleeding
- Living with chronic fatigue from anemia
- Avoiding travel, exercise, or social events during their periods
- Assuming painful periods are simply something to endure
Unfortunately, normalizing these symptoms often delays diagnosis and treatment.
How Can Fibroids Affect Your Health and Daily Life?
Fibroids can affect nearly every aspect of daily life, causing heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, bloating, fatigue, urinary symptoms, and complications that interfere with work, relationships, and overall quality of life.
Depending on their size and location, fibroids may cause:
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
- Pelvic pressure or pain
- Bloating or abdominal fullness (sometimes caused by an enlarged uterus)
- Frequent urination
- Constipation
- Pain during intercourse
- Fatigue caused by iron-deficiency anemia
For many Black women, these symptoms develop during some of life’s busiest years—while building careers, raising families, pursuing education, or planning pregnancy.
Over time, constantly adjusting daily routines around symptoms can take a significant physical and emotional toll.
Why Is Early Diagnosis Especially Important for Black Women?
Early diagnosis allows Black women to better understand their condition, preserve more treatment options, manage symptoms sooner, and potentially avoid years of unnecessary suffering.
Seeking care doesn’t necessarily mean treatment is needed immediately. Instead, it provides clarity about what’s causing your symptoms and allows you to understand your options before symptoms become more severe.
Earlier diagnosis may help:
- Preserve a wider range of treatment options
- Reduce the risk of severe anemia
- Better manage symptoms over time
- Support future fertility goals when applicable
- Avoid years of unnecessary suffering
Our goal is never to rush patients into treatment. It’s to help every woman understand her condition and make informed decisions based on her symptoms, goals, and lifestyle.
Why Are Many Black Women Diagnosed Later?
Many Black women experience delayed fibroid diagnosis because symptoms are normalized, dismissed, or mistaken for typical menstrual changes, allowing fibroids to grow larger before treatment is considered.
There are many reasons this can happen.
Some women normalize their symptoms because they’ve lived with them for years. Others are told that heavy periods are simply part of aging or that surgery is their only option.
Delayed diagnosis may also occur because:
- Symptoms are attributed to “normal” menstruation
- Women postpone seeking care due to busy schedules or caregiving responsibilities
- Access to specialists may be delayed
- Imaging isn’t performed until symptoms become severe
The earlier fibroids are identified, the more opportunities patients often have to discuss individualized treatment options.
The Viva Eve Difference: Every Woman Deserves to Feel Heard
For many women living with fibroids—especially Black women—the hardest part isn’t just the symptoms. It’s feeling like those symptoms have been minimized, normalized, or dismissed.
We believe every woman deserves to be listened to before she’s treated.
Our care team reflects the diversity of the women we serve, representing more than 10 nationalities and backgrounds, and we recognize that every patient’s experience with fibroids is unique. That’s why our approach begins with listening, education, and shared decision-making—not assumptions.
Whether a patient ultimately chooses monitoring, medication, Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), myomectomy, or another treatment, our goal is the same: to make sure she understands her diagnosis, feels empowered by her options, and knows her voice is part of every conversation.
For Ambra Brice Carpenter, one of Viva Eve’s patient ambassadors, that experience made all the difference.
“I barely sat down before the doctor said, ‘You have fibroids. I can schedule you for surgery next week.’ There was no real explanation of what fibroids were, no MRI, and no discussion about my goals or whether I wanted children.”
Seeking a second opinion led Ambra to Viva Eve, where she says the experience felt completely different.
“At Viva Eve, they took the time to educate me before recommending anything. They listened to my concerns, walked me through every option, and helped me understand what was happening inside my body. For the first time, I felt like I was making an informed decision—not just being told what to do.”
Today, after undergoing Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), Ambra shares her story to encourage other women to advocate for themselves and seek care that makes them feel heard.
“You deserve a provider who listens. You deserve to understand your options. And you deserve to trust your body again.”
What Are the Treatment Options for Fibroids?
Treatment for fibroids depends on a woman’s symptoms, fibroid size and location, and reproductive goals, and may include hormone treatment for fibroids, myomectomy, uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), or hysterectomy.
The best treatment depends on your symptoms, the size and location of your fibroids, your overall health, and your future pregnancy goals.
Treatment options may include:
- Medication to manage bleeding or pain
- Myomectomy (removing fibroids while preserving the uterus)
- Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), a minimally invasive procedure that shrinks fibroids while preserving the uterus
- Hysterectomy when definitive treatment is appropriate
“We often meet patients who have been told hysterectomy is their only option,” says Saloni Mathur, MD, OB/GYN and minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon at Viva Eve. “In many cases, there are several treatment paths available. The earlier we evaluate fibroids, the more options we can consider together.”
The Emotional Toll of Living With Fibroids
Living with fibroids can affect emotional well-being as much as physical health, leading many women to experience frustration, anxiety, embarrassment, isolation, and diminished quality of life.
Many women describe years of frustration, embarrassment, or isolation before finally receiving answers.
Some worry about fertility.
Others avoid vacations, social gatherings, or intimacy because they’re constantly managing symptoms.
Many simply feel unheard after years of being told their symptoms were “normal.”
We believe listening is an essential part of treatment. Every patient’s experience is different, and every woman deserves to understand all of her options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Black women develop fibroids more often?
Researchers believe the increased risk is likely related to a combination of genetics, hormones, environmental factors, vitamin D deficiency, and differences in healthcare access. No single cause has been identified.
Do fibroids always cause symptoms?
No. Some fibroids cause no symptoms and are discovered during routine pelvic exams or imaging.
Can fibroids go away on their own?
Fibroids typically do not disappear without treatment, although symptoms may change over time.
Can fibroids affect fertility?
Yes. Depending on their size and location, fibroids can sometimes affect fertility or pregnancy outcomes.
Is hysterectomy the only option?
No. Many women have several treatment options available depending on their symptoms, anatomy, and reproductive goals.
When should I see a fibroid specialist?
If heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, bloating, fatigue, or pressure is affecting your daily life, it’s time to schedule an evaluation.
You Deserve Answers—And You Deserve Options
For too long, many Black women have been told that debilitating periods are simply something they have to live with. That conversation is changing.
No one should have to normalize symptoms that interfere with their health, goals, or quality of life. Whether you’re just beginning to ask questions or are ready to explore treatment, you deserve compassionate care, clear answers, and a team that listens.
Schedule a consultation with Viva Eve to receive a personalized evaluation and learn about your treatment options. Once you submit your appointment request, a member of our Patient Concierge team will contact you to confirm your visit, answer any questions you have, and help guide you through the next steps of your care.
