When almost 70-80 % of women will be diagnosed with uterine fibroids by age 50, it’s hard to believe how little we talk about them (Rogin, Vela, & Sunkara, 2025). If you’ve ever felt “something is off” with your pelvis, bleeding, fertility or sense of wellness, but were told “that’s just part of being a woman," this is for you. Because what’s happening behind the scenes is both common and under-recognized.
What Are Fibroids and Why Do They Matter?
Fibroids are benign, non-cancerous growths in or around the uterus. They range in size from as small as a pea to as large as a melon, and while some women don’t feel a thing, others are in severe pain.
Some of the symptoms include:
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Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding → iron-deficiency and fatigue
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Pelvic pain or pressure → sometimes the feeling of being full, or even gasping for breath if anemia reduces lung capacity
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Fertility complications or pregnancy issues → fibroids may grow during pregnancy and crowd the uterus
Why the Awareness Gap?
Several factors converge to make fibroids a “quiet” condition:
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Normalization of Pain – Many women are told that heavy periods, pelvic pain, bloating or fertility issues are just part of being a woman. Some live with fibroids so long they don’t realize another version of health is possible.
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Lack of Research + Investment – Despite the massive number of women affected, we still have limited understanding of how fibroids behave in the body.
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Treatment Gaps – At present, the most drastic solution, hysterectomy, still accounts for a large portion of fibroid surgeries. Many women are not aware of less invasive options or earlier interventions.
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Disproportionate Impact – Women of African descent face higher rates of fibroids and often more severe disease, yet the conversation and care models don’t always reflect that disparity.
Why It Matters for Your Whole-Body Wellness
At Pure Athena, we believe skin health, hormonal balance, fertility, and overall vitality are deeply interconnected. Fibroids may not sit in your skincare routine, but they influence your hormones, inflammation levels, and quality of life.
Hormonal disruption (especially of estrogen and progesterone) often plays a role in fibroid growth. Chronic inflammation and heavy bleeding can sap iron and nutrients, weakening skin, mood and resilience.
What Women Can Do Now
1. Get informed & trust your experience
If you notice heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, long periods, or fertility delays, do not wait. Ask about fibroids. Demand a clear evaluation. You deserve clarity.
2. Ask about treatment options early
Myomectomy (removal of fibroids), newer medications, less-invasive procedures and preventative approaches exist, but many women are not informed.
3. Support your body holistically
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Ensure iron, vitamin D, magnesium and other nutrients are in healthy ranges (especially if bleeding heavier than normal).
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Focus on anti-inflammatory nutrition (greens, omega-3s, berries) and support liver clearance (to manage estrogen levels).
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Support pelvic floor and core function. Healthy uterine positioning is part of the puzzle.
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Stress and sleep matter deeply: chronic stress alters hormones that can drive fibroid growth and worsen symptoms.
4. Leverage community & advocacy
As one patient advocate interviewed for this PBS segment, Why uterine fibroid awareness is low despite affecting a large percentage of women, noted: “I thought I was alone in my journey.” We want to remind you that you are not. Sharing your story helps shift cultural norms and open the conversations around women's health that so many struggle with in silence.
Source:
Rogin, A., Vela, V., & Sunkara, S. (2025, July 26). Why uterine fibroid awareness is low despite affecting a large percentage of women. PBS NewsHour. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/why-uterine-fibroid-awareness-is-low-despite-affecting-a-large-percentage-of-women