The Fibroids Routine That Keeps Women Coming Back

Sis, let me stop you right here. If you are a Black woman between 16 and 25, there is an 80 percent chance you will develop fibroids at some point in your life. That is not a typo. Eighty percent. Let that sink in for a second.

You are sitting in a lecture hall stressing about your GPA, or you are three months into your first job trying to figure out your 401k, and meanwhile your body is quietly growing these non-cancerous tumors in your uterus that can mess with your periods, your energy, your sex life, your fertility, and honestly your whole vibe. And the craziest part? Nobody is talking about it.

So I am going to be the big sister who tells you everything your gynecologist might not have mentioned in your rushed 15-minute appointment. Because fibroids are not some “older woman problem” you need to worry about later. They start developing in your 20s. Sometimes earlier. And knowing what is happening in your body right now is the first step to taking control.

What Even Are Fibroids—And Why Is Your Body Doing This?

Alright, let me break this down like we are on FaceTime and you just asked me between sips of iced coffee. Fibroids are growths of muscle and tissue that form in or on the walls of your uterus. They are almost always benign—meaning not cancerous—but they can cause a whole host of problems that make you feel like your body is betraying you.

Think of your uterus like a balloon. Fibroids are like lumps of clay pressing against the inside or outside of that balloon. Sometimes they are tiny, like a pea, and you never even know they are there. Other times they grow to the size of a grapefruit or larger. And when they do, girl, you feel it.

Here is what that actually looks like in your real life:

You are bleeding through a super-plus tampon and a pad in under an hour during your period. You are so crampy that you skip class or call out of work. Your lower belly feels bloated and heavy even when you are not on your period. You are exhausted all the time because you are losing so much blood that your iron levels are in the gutter. You have pain during sex that you just assumed was “normal.” You feel like you have to pee constantly because something is pressing on your bladder.

If any of that sounds familiar, listen to me: you are not dramatic. You are not weak. You are not making it up. Your body is trying to tell you something.

Why Black Women Specifically? And Why Now?

This is the part that made me angry when I first learned it. Fibroids do not affect all women equally. Black women are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids than white women. We tend to develop them at younger ages. Our fibroids tend to be larger and more numerous. And we are more likely to end up needing major surgery because our symptoms were ignored or dismissed for too long.

Researchers are still trying to figure out exactly why. Some theories point to genetics, some to environmental factors like the chemicals in hair products and skincare marketed to Black women, some to chronic stress and inflammation from systemic racism. The truth is probably a combination of all of it.

But here is what I need you to understand: the “why” matters less right now than the “what now.” You cannot change your genetics or the products you used in middle school. But you can start paying attention to your body and advocating for yourself in a medical system that has historically dismissed Black women’s pain.

That stat right there? That is the gap we are closing today. You are going to be in the group that knows, that advocates, and that takes action before things get bad.

What Your Doctor Probably Is Not Telling You

Okay, let me be real with you about something. When I was 22 and went to my campus health center complaining about heavy periods and pelvic pain, the doctor told me to “try ibuprofen and a heating pad.” She did not order an ultrasound. She did not mention fibroids. She made me feel like I was being dramatic about something that was just “part of being a woman.”

I was not being dramatic. And neither are you.

Here is what you need to know: fibroids do not always show up on a standard pelvic exam. Your doctor can feel them if they are large enough, but small or medium-sized fibroids can hide. The only way to really know what is going on is to ask for a transvaginal ultrasound. That sounds scary, but it is basically a wand they insert to get a clear picture of your uterus. It takes 15 minutes. It is not comfortable, but it is not unbearable. And it gives you answers.

If your doctor brushes off your symptoms, you have permission to ask directly: “Could this be fibroids? Can you order an ultrasound to check?” If they still dismiss you, find another doctor. I know that is easier said than done when you are on a student health plan or your parents’ insurance, but there are resources. Planned Parenthood does gynecological exams on a sliding scale. Community health centers often have women’s health services. You deserve a doctor who takes you seriously.

What Actually Works for Managing Fibroids

Alright, let me give you the real tea on what helps. I am going to break this into two categories: what you can do right now on your own and what you need a doctor for.

What you can do right now:

First, clean up your diet. I know, I know—you are in college or just starting your career and eating ramen and takeout. But hear me out. Fibroids are fueled by estrogen and inflammation. So anything you can do to lower both of those things in your body helps keep fibroids from growing larger or causing worse symptoms.

Cut back on red meat and processed foods. Eat more leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale, and fiber-rich foods like beans and oats. Green tea has compounds that may actually shrink fibroids over time. Turmeric and ginger are natural anti-inflammatories. You do not have to be perfect, but even swapping one meal a day makes a difference.

Second, watch what you put on your body. This is a big one that nobody talks about. Many hair relaxers, skin lighteners, and even some body lotions marketed to Black women contain chemicals called parabens and phthalates that mimic estrogen in your body. That extra estrogen can feed fibroids. Check your products on the EWG Skin Deep database or switch to cleaner brands. Your beauty routine should not be making your health worse.

Third, manage your stress. I know that sounds like some “just do yoga” nonsense, but chronic stress raises cortisol, which throws your hormones out of balance. You do not have to meditate for an hour. Just do five minutes of deep breathing before bed, take a walk without your phone, or literally just say no to one more thing this week. Your nervous system needs a break.

What you need a doctor for:

If your symptoms are moderate to severe—meaning you are missing class or work, you are anemic, you are in significant pain—you need medical intervention. Options include:

Hormonal birth control (pills, IUD, or shot) to help control heavy bleeding. This does not shrink fibroids, but it can make your periods more manageable.

GnRH agonists which are medications that temporarily shrink fibroids by putting you into a temporary menopause-like state. This is usually a short-term solution before surgery.

Myomectomy which is surgery to remove the fibroids while leaving your uterus intact. This is the option if you want to preserve fertility.

Uterine fibroid embolization (UFE) which is a minimally invasive procedure that cuts off blood flow to the fibroids, causing them to shrink.

Hysterectomy which is removal of the uterus. This is a major surgery and should be a last resort, especially if you are young and may want children. Unfortunately, Black women are disproportionately recommended for hysterectomy compared to other options. Know that you have choices.

The Truth Nobody Tells You About Fibroids and Your Life

Here is something I wish someone had told me at 22. Fibroids do not just affect your period. They affect your whole life. They can make you feel bloated and heavy all the time, which messes with your body image. They can cause pain during sex, which can make you feel broken or like something is wrong with you. They can cause fatigue that makes it hard to focus in class or perform at work. They can cause anxiety because you are constantly worried about when the next bad period is going to hit.

And on top of all that, there is the emotional weight of feeling like your body is working against you when you are already trying to figure out your career, your relationships, your money, and your whole identity as a young woman.

I need you to hear this: you are not broken. You are not less than. You are not alone.

There are thousands of young Black women going through exactly what you are going through. The problem is we are not talking about it. We are suffering in silence, thinking it is normal, thinking we are alone. But you are not. And now that you know, you can do something about it.

Start Here: Your Action Plan

I do not want you to read this whole post and then close the tab and forget about it. I want you to do something with this information. Here is your step-by-step starting point:

Step 1: Schedule a gynecological appointment within the next month. If you do not have a gynecologist, start with your campus health center, Planned Parenthood, or a community health clinic. Tell them you want to be evaluated for fibroids because you have [list your symptoms].

Step 2: Start tracking your symptoms today. Download an app or open your Notes app and write down: how many pads/tampons you use per day during your period, your pain level, any bloating, any back pain, any pain during sex, and how many days you feel fatigued. Bring this to your appointment.

Step 3: Look at your diet and make one small change this week. Swap one red meat meal for a plant-based meal. Add a serving of greens to your lunch. Drink green tea instead of soda. Just one change. You can build from there.

Step 4: Check your beauty and skincare products for endocrine disruptors. The EWG Skin Deep database is free. Just search the products you use daily and see what comes up. If something has a high hazard rating, look for a cleaner alternative.

Step 5: Find your community. You do not have to figure this out alone. There are support groups for young women with fibroids, online communities, and resources specifically for Black women. Knowing you are not the only one going through this makes a world of difference.

This is the kind of stuff women talk about inside TechMae every single day. No judgment, just real ones keeping it real.

Related: This post is a must-read for women on their journey to feeling better in their bodies.

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