Breaking the Stigma: Talking About Fibroids Without Shame

Breaking the Stigma: Talking About Fibroids Without Shame

Uterine fibroids are common, benign growths of the uterus that can cause heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, pain, fertility challenges, and profound fatigue. Despite how common they are, many people suffer in silence—normalizing debilitating periods or feeling ashamed to talk about reproductive health. It’s time to change that. By understanding fibroids and speaking openly, we can reduce stigma, shorten the path to diagnosis, and help more people access effective care.

Fibroids Are Common—You Are Not Alone

Fibroids affect a large share of people with a uterus during their reproductive years. Research supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimates that as many as 70–80% of women develop fibroids by age 50. They are especially prevalent and often more severe among Black women, who tend to develop them at younger ages and are more likely to need treatment such as surgery. These facts are consistently documented by authoritative sources including the NIH and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Common symptoms include:

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding (soaking pads or tampons quickly, passing large clots, or periods lasting more than a week)
  • Pelvic pressure or pain, low back pain
  • Frequent urination or constipation due to pressure on nearby organs
  • Pain during sex
  • Fatigue from iron-deficiency anemia
  • Fertility challenges or pregnancy complications in some cases

None of these symptoms are something you should just “push through.” If they disrupt your work, school, intimacy, or daily life, it’s reasonable—and important—to seek care.

Why Stigma Persists—and How to Push Back

Silence around menstrual health and pelvic pain can delay diagnosis and treatment for years. Cultural taboos, fears about fertility, or negative experiences in the health system also keep many from speaking up. Stigma hits some communities especially hard, including Black women, who face both higher fibroid burdens and healthcare disparities.

Breaking the stigma starts with language. Try reframing the conversation:

  • Instead of “I just have bad periods,” try: “I have heavy bleeding and pain from fibroids, and I’m seeking treatment.”
  • Instead of “It’s embarrassing,” try: “This is a common medical condition—there’s nothing shameful about it.”
  • Instead of apologizing at work, try: “I’m managing a health condition and may need flexibility for appointments.”

Myths vs. Facts

  • Myth: Fibroids are cancer. Fact: Fibroids are benign. A very rare uterine cancer (leiomyosarcoma) can mimic fibroids, but overall risk is low.
  • Myth: Surgery is the only option. Fact: Treatments range from watchful waiting to medications and minimally invasive procedures. The right choice depends on your symptoms, goals, and medical history.
  • Myth: It’s my fault. Fact: Fibroids have complex hormonal, genetic, and environmental drivers. You didn’t cause them.
  • Myth: Fibroids always prevent pregnancy. Fact: Many people with fibroids conceive and carry healthy pregnancies. Treatment can be tailored when fertility is a goal.

Getting Diagnosed: What to Expect

A gynecologist can often detect fibroids through a pelvic exam and confirm them with imaging. The most common first test is a pelvic ultrasound (often transvaginal). In some cases, MRI or hysteroscopy (a small camera to view inside the uterus) helps map fibroid size and location. Your clinician will also assess for anemia with a blood test if heavy bleeding is a concern.

Bring a symptom log to your appointment: how many days you bleed, how often you change pads or tampons, the size of clots, pain levels, and any missed activities. Clear details help guide the best plan.

Treatment Options: From Lifestyle to Advanced Therapies

Treatment is personalized. Many fibroids don’t require intervention if they aren’t causing significant symptoms. When they do, options include:

Self-care and supportive measures

  • Iron-rich nutrition and iron supplements if you’re anemic (based on blood tests and clinician guidance)
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for period pain
  • Tracking cycles to anticipate symptoms and plan work or activities

Medications

  • Hormonal contraception (combined pills, patch, ring) or progestin-only methods can reduce bleeding and cramps.
  • Levonorgestrel-releasing IUD can significantly reduce heavy bleeding, though it may be less effective if fibroids distort the uterine cavity.
  • Tranexamic acid (an antifibrinolytic) is FDA-approved for heavy menstrual bleeding and can be used during menses to reduce flow.
  • GnRH agonists (e.g., leuprolide) or oral GnRH antagonists with add-back therapy (e.g., elagolix- or relugolix-combination tablets) can shrink fibroids and reduce bleeding for a limited time. Because they may affect bone density, they are usually used short-term or as a bridge to surgery.

Procedures

  • Uterine artery embolization (UAE): A minimally invasive procedure that blocks blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink. It can be effective for bleeding and bulk symptoms. Discuss future fertility goals with your clinician.
  • Myomectomy: Surgical removal of fibroids, preserving the uterus. Approaches include hysteroscopic (inside the uterus), laparoscopic/robotic (through small incisions), or open surgery, depending on fibroid size and location.
  • Radiofrequency ablation or MRI-guided focused ultrasound: Minimally invasive options that target fibroid tissue in select candidates.
  • Hysterectomy: Removal of the uterus. This is definitive but ends fertility; it may be appropriate for severe symptoms when other options are unsuitable or undesired.

When laparoscopic surgery is used, your surgeon may discuss techniques for removing tissue. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued safety communications about laparoscopic power morcellation because of the rare risk of spreading unsuspected cancer; containment systems and careful patient selection are important topics to review with your surgeon.

Talking to Your Doctor, Partner, and Employer

Stigma diminishes when we speak clearly about needs:

  • With your clinician: Lead with your top concerns (bleeding, pain, fertility), share your symptom log, and ask about all options that match your goals and values.
  • With your partner or family: Explain how symptoms affect energy, intimacy, and mood. Ask for tangible support—childcare during appointments, help with household tasks on heavy days, or simply understanding.
  • At work or school: It’s appropriate to request flexibility for medical care. Use concise, professional language: “I’m managing a medical condition that sometimes requires appointments or adjustments.”

Emotional Health Matters

Living with chronic pain, heavy bleeding, or fertility uncertainty can take a toll on mental health. Consider counseling, peer support groups, or patient organizations focused on fibroids and menstrual health. Treating anemia alone can meaningfully improve energy and mood.

When to Seek Care

Book an appointment if you have heavy bleeding that soaks through protection quickly, periods lasting longer than a week, pelvic pain or pressure that interferes with daily life, signs of anemia (fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath), or trouble getting pregnant. Prompt evaluation helps you avoid complications and explore more options.

The Bottom Line

Fibroids are common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of. Speaking openly—at home, at work, and in the clinic—can shorten the journey to relief. With evidence-based options ranging from medicines to minimally invasive procedures, you can choose a plan that fits your life and goals.

Trusted Sources and Further Reading

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