,

Fibroids 101

From diagnosis to treatment options, we're breaking down what you need to know about the condition that affects more Black women than any other racial group

July is Fibroid Awareness Month, which means itโ€™s time to have an open and honest conversation about a condition that has wreaked havoc on women in our community. Black women are nearly three times more likely to have fibroids than white women. They are also more likely to develop them at younger ages and experience more symptoms. And while more Black women are living with fibroids, they often suffer in silence and without adequate support from healthcare providers. So from diagnosis to your treatment options, weโ€™re here to break down what you need to know about fibroids.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

What Are Fibroids?

Image: Shutterstock kanvictory

Fibroids are benign tumors that grow in and around a womanโ€™s uterus. Depending on the case, they can be as small as a seed or as large as a melon.

Who Gets Them?

Photo: Shutterstock michaeljung

Any woman of childbearing age can develop uterine fibroids. And although doctors still donโ€™t know exactly what causes them, they have narrowed down a few factors that may place certain women at greater risk, including a genetic history of fibroids, obesity and a red meat-heavy diet. African-American women are also more likely to develop fibroids than any other racial or ethnic group.

What Are The Symptoms?

Photo: Shutterstock tommaso79

Some women live with fibroids and have no symptoms. But depending on the size, location and number of fibroids, others can experience debilitating symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic or low back pain, frequent urination and infertility. Some women will also experience an enlargement of the abdomen that can cause them to look pregnant.

Women who experience heavy periods due to fibroids may also develop anemia, a condition in which the blood donโ€™t have enough healthy red blood cells to bring oxygen to the bodyโ€™s tissues. This may cause them to feel tired or sluggish.

How Are They Diagnosed?

Photo: Shutterstock Andrey_Popov

Your doctor can often find fibroids during a routine pelvic exam. They may order a series of imaging tests, including an ultrasound, MRI or CT scan to confirm the diagnosis.

Are They Dangerous?

Photo: Shutterstock fizkes

In most cases, fibroids are noncancerous and donโ€™t put women at greater risk for uterine cancer. According to Johns Hopkins, 99 percent of fibroid cases are classified as noncancerous.

What Can I Do?

Photo: Shutterstock Daniel M Ernst

When considering the best way to treatment options, woman can be faced with several options. The best treatment plan is usually dependent on the number and size of fibroids a woman has, the symptoms experienced, and whether or not the woman wants to preserve the uterus.

Some women may choose to make changes to their diet and exercise regimen. Several forms of birth control, including pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices), can be used to manage heavy bleeding. There are also a variety of surgical options, which range from a myomectomy, which removes the fibroids while leaving the uterus intact, to a hysterectomy, a procedure in which a womanโ€™s entire uterus is removed.

Talk to your doctor about the best form of treatment for you and your lifestyle. And donโ€™t be afraid to get a second (or third) opinion, if necessary.

ย 

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Have You Heard of The Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, a Beautiful, Soulful Singer Derailed By Her Own Demons?

Have You Heard of The Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, a Beautiful, Soulful Singer Derailed By Her Own Demons?

The soulful singer, known for hits like "Living All Alone and "You Know How to Love Me" died on June 30, 1995, just days before her 46th birthday ...
13 Ways Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' Will Impact Black Americans

13 Ways Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Will Impact Black Americans

With its hidden provisions and bold attacks to Medicaid and Pell Grant recipients, here's everything you need to know before it's way too late ...

Suge Knight Claims Tupac's Mother Made This Shocking Move in His Final Moments

Suge Knight Claims Tupac’s Mother Made This Shocking Move in His Final Moments

Knight's latest claim follows a series of confessions that might be tough to beliieve for a lot of folks ...
Spoilers: Black TikTok Has Theories on Whether Taraji's Daughter in 'Straw'

Spoilers: Black TikTok Has Theories on Whether Taraji’s Daughter in ‘Straw’

A very interesting theory about the major plot twist of the film is now being widely dissected and we've just got to discuss it! ...
The Unbelievable Reasons Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Got off to a Rocky Start

The Unbelievable Reasons Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Got off to a Rocky Start

So far, the jury has sent five different notes to the judge, suggesting jury deliberation in this case will be tedious and difficult ...
The Gruesome Truth Behind the Death Of a 7-Year-Old Florida Girl Found Unresponsive in Her Home

The Gruesome Truth Behind the Death Of a 7-Year-Old Florida Girl Found Unresponsive in Her Home

Naikishia L. Williams originally told police her daughter became unresponsive after she was given medication, but quickly, those claims were refuted ...
Remy Ma Detained After Altercation With Daughter of Man Her Son is Accused of Killingโ€” And it Was All Caught on Camera

Remy Ma Detained After Altercation With Daughter of Man Her Son is Accused of Killingโ€” And it Was All Caught on Camera

Jayson Scott, Remy Ma's son, faces murder charges for his alleged involvement in the 2021 shooting death of Darius Guillebeaux ...
DDG Says He Wants Another Kid, But the Details Behind It Have the Internet Big Mad

DDG Says He Wants Another Kid, But the Details Behind It Have the Internet Big Mad

In a now viral clip, the popular streamer was caught expressing his desire to have another child, but his method has the internet in a tizzy! ...
Mike Tyson Wants to Talk to Trump About What??

Mike Tyson Wants to Talk to Trump About What??

The former heavyweight champion wants President Trump to make the changes to some current laws that the Biden administration did not ...
Why a Lot of Black Folks Aren't Feeling Michelle Obama's Post-White House Era

Why a Lot of Black Folks Aren’t Feeling Michelle Obama’s Post-White House Era

After her podcast with her brother launched in March, some dedicated fans say silence is golden ...
Chris Brown Wants This... To Stop Right Now!

Chris Brown Wants This… To Stop Right Now!

Conversations about where Brown stands amongst the R&B space specifically, were renewed recently but it doesn't seem like he's here for it ...
Huge New Development in Case of Black Daycare Owner Who Shot Husband After Discovering Abuse

Huge New Development in Case of Black Daycare Owner Who Shot Husband After Discovering Abuse

Supporters say Daycare Owner shouldn't have spent a single day behind bars ...
Plot Twist: MAGA Drags Ex-Rep. Jamaal Bowman for N-Word Claims And They Are ... Right

Plot Twist: MAGA Drags Ex-Rep. Jamaal Bowman for N-Word Claims And They Are … Right

Past studies have noted a link between racism and health concerns for Black Americans, but there's no evidence to directly back up Bowman's claims ...
Photo: Getty Images Paras Griffinfor Idol Roc; Win McNamee

Why Nelly Needs to Finally Admit the Real Reason He Performed For Trump

Nelly is still defending his decision to perform at President Donald Trump's inauguration, when he should just own up to it ...
Black TikToker Who Sprayed Bug Killer on Walmart Food Learns His Fate

Black TikToker Who Sprayed Bug Killer on Walmart Food Learns His Fate

Wolfie Kahletti pleaded guilty in April, and now, he's officially been sentenced for his December crimes ...
Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncรฉ Concert, But One  Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncรฉ Concert, But One Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

A group of friends who experienced tragedy on their way to a Cowboy Carter show have sparked a viral debate about what would keep fans from seeing Queen Bey ...
This White Singer Sang This Chaka Khan Iconic Hit and Black Internet Lost Its Mind

This White Singer Sang This Chaka Khan Iconic Hit and Black Internet Lost Its Mind

Once Hayley Williams' clip began to make the rounds on social media, a lot of Black folks had a myriad of reactions! Let's get into it ...
Will Smith Just Brought Up the Chris Rock Oscars Slap And He Doesn't Seem Sorry ...Anymore

Will Smith Just Brought Up the Chris Rock Oscars Slap And He Doesn’t Seem Sorry …Anymore

It looks like the "Fresh Prince" star is feeling a bit differently about it than before and we've got the tea to prove it! ...
Angela Bassett arrives for the 74th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on September 12, 2022. Photo: Getty Images Chris Delmas / AFP

8 Black Actors Who Got Their Start in August Wilson Plays

Some of our greatest actors have appeared in the prolific playwright's shows on and Off Broadway ...