UFE & Black History Month

February 16, 2026 Richmond Vascular Center

Black History Month, Fibroids, and Health Equity: What Every Woman Should Know

February is Black History Month, a time to honor achievements and reflect on ongoing challenges that shape the lived experiences of Black Americans today. One critical area where disparities remain stark is women’s health. Conditions that affect quality of life and long-term health outcomes are shaped by biology, access to care, and systemic inequities. Uterine fibroids are a powerful example of this intersection and a reminder that awareness and access matter.

Understanding Fibroids and Who They Affect

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the muscle of the uterus. They are one of the most common gynecologic conditions in the United States. Most women with fibroids will never know they have them, but for many, symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure, and fatigue can significantly disrupt daily life. 

Research shows that fibroids are not experienced equally across racial groups. Black women are consistently diagnosed with fibroids at much higher rates than white women. One study found that fibroids were present in about 35.7% of Black or African American participants compared with 10.7% of white participants in a community sample of reproductive-aged women. (JAMA Network) Another body of evidence shows that Black women have approximately two to three times the risk of developing fibroids and tend to develop them at younger ages. (PMC)

These patterns mean that by the time many Black women reach their late 40s, 70% to 80% may have developed fibroids. (Resilient Sisterhood Project)

The Broader Context: Healthcare Disparities and Access

These statistics reflect not only biological patterns but also broader disparities in health care. Black women in the United States face disproportionate challenges across a range of health outcomes. For example, their maternal mortality rate from pregnancy-related causes remains several times higher than that of white women, and most of these deaths are considered preventable. 

Structural barriers, including limited access to specialty care, socioeconomic stress, and implicit bias within healthcare systems, shape how individuals experience symptoms, receive diagnoses, and explore treatment options. These factors are part of the lived reality for many Black women and help explain why conditions like fibroids often go underdiagnosed or undertreated until symptoms become severe. (American Medical Women’s Association)

How Fibroids Affect Daily Life

Fibroids can vary widely in size, number, and effect. For some women they are small and cause no symptoms; for others, they can lead to heavy bleeding, anemia, pain during menstruation, frequent urination, or pressure in the pelvic area. These symptoms can interfere with work, family responsibilities, and overall quality of life. Because Black women are more likely to develop larger or more numerous fibroids, they are also prone to experience more severe and life-disrupting symptoms. (JAMA Network)

Despite these impacts, many black women feel uncertainty about when to seek care or what options are available. Fibroid symptoms are too often minimized by patients and clinicians alike, leading to delayed diagnoses and delayed conversations about treatment pathways. (American Medical Women’s Association)

Treatment Options: Beyond a One-Size-Fits-All Approach

Historically, surgical removal of the uterus, hysterectomy, has been one the most common treatment for symptomatic fibroids. Black women are significantly more likely to undergo surgical treatments, including hysterectomy or myomectomy, than white women. (scientificarchives.com) These procedures can be appropriate in some cases, but they carry risks and long recovery periods and may not align with every woman’s goals around fertility or body autonomy.

Minimally invasive options are important parts of the treatment landscape. One such option is Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), a procedure that uses image guidance to block the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink over time. UFE is performed on an outpatient basis, preserves the uterus, has a much shorter recovery time, and is less disruption to daily life than traditional surgery.

Awareness of all available treatment options is critical to equitable care. Equal access to information, specialists who practice minimally invasive procedures, and shared decision-making between patient and provider help ensure that every woman can make a choice that fits her body and goals.

Moving Toward More Equitable Care

Black History Month is an opportunity to recognize disparities and reflect on pathways forward. Progress requires more than awareness; it requires open conversations between patients and healthcare providers, equitable access to specialty care, and systems that listen to women about their symptoms and concerns.

For individuals experiencing symptoms associated with fibroids, learning more about the condition and available treatments is a first step. Asking questions during a consultation, seeking second opinions if needed, and exploring minimally invasive options can lead to care that feels empowering rather than dismissive.

Empowerment Through Information

No one should navigate symptoms or treatment decisions alone. If fibroid symptoms are affecting your quality of life, talk to a clinician you trust. Together, you can explore options — from watchful waiting and medication to minimally invasive procedures like UFE. At Richmond Vascular Center, we welcome your questions.