In the landscape of women's health, uterine fibroids remain one of the most underestimated and commonly overlooked conditions. Search terms like “uterine fibroids,” “heavy periods,” and “chronic pelvic pain” show up frequently online, but public understanding of the issue remains limited. That’s why tennis icon Venus Williams’s recent revelations about her decades-long battle with fibroids have struck such a powerful chord.
Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and one of the greatest athletes of our time, recently shared that she has been silently suffering from fibroids for nearly 30 years. From her teenage years onward, she experienced symptoms that went far beyond “normal” menstrual discomfort. The pain was not occasional or tolerable—it was a recurring crisis. “Every month felt like a storm,” she said. Nausea, fatigue, excruciating cramps, and overwhelming blood loss became her routine.
“I was hugging the toilet, just waiting for it to pass,” Venus recalled.
Despite how severe the symptoms were, doctors repeatedly dismissed her concerns. Like many women, she was told, “It’s normal. It’s just your period.” Heavy bleeding? Fatigue? Fainting? All brushed aside.
This experience isn’t unique to Williams. According to a study published in The Journal of Women’s Health, over 40% of women with fibroids reported having their symptoms dismissed or downplayed by healthcare professionals. One woman, Lily, a Chinese-American who eventually underwent fibroid removal surgery, said she was chronically anemic due to excessive monthly bleeding. Yet time and again, doctors handed her iron pills and blamed stress. “I started to think maybe it was in my head,” she said.
A French entrepreneur once shared during a TED Talk how years of fibroid-related pain impacted her career. “I couldn’t stand long enough to speak in meetings. I had to retire early. I thought I was just weak,” she confessed—only to later be diagnosed with multiple large fibroids.
These stories are echoed by countless women around the world. Though fibroids are benign tumors, the toll they take on quality of life is anything but benign. Many women say they’ve had to constantly call in sick to work, avoid social engagements, and even scale back physical activity. The fatigue from chronic anemia, combined with intense pain and emotional swings caused by hormonal imbalance, can erode every part of daily life.
Venus herself collapsed in the locker room during Wimbledon 2016 due to unbearable pain. Her sister, Serena, had to call for medical help. “I was lying on the floor, unable to move,” she recalled. That moment became a turning point.
She eventually found a specialized team at NYU Langone’s Center for Fibroid Care. Through comprehensive MRI imaging and hormonal testing, she learned the full extent of her condition. “I knew I had fibroids—but I never knew they were that big or that many,” she said. After undergoing minimally invasive treatment, her symptoms eased. Her quality of life, and even her athletic performance, significantly improved.
From a medical standpoint, fibroids are believed to be influenced by estrogen levels, genetics, and environmental hormone exposure. Black women, in particular, are more likely to develop fibroids, often at a younger age and in greater numbers. This racial disparity also partly explains why Venus’s case was so severe—and why the medical community must do more to account for these differences in treatment and diagnosis.
Today, fibroid treatments are much more advanced and individualized. They include uterine artery embolization, myomectomy, focused ultrasound (HIFU), and hormonal therapy. The goal isn’t just removal—it’s also about listening to patients, understanding their symptoms, and creating a treatment plan that aligns with their goals, especially for women who still wish to conceive.
Venus’s openness helps highlight a much larger problem in healthcare: when women express pain, are they taken seriously? Her story isn’t just personal—it’s emblematic of how society often tells women to tolerate, endure, or ignore their suffering.
Thankfully, her courage is encouraging others to speak up. More women are now seeking second opinions, joining support communities, and exploring advanced treatment options that weren’t widely discussed a decade ago. For many, Venus’s story validates their own.
“No one should have to live this way,” she said. It's not just a statement—it’s a call to action. Pain isn’t something women should have to normalize. Unmanageable periods, chronic fatigue, and constant pain are not simply “part of being a woman.” They are signals that deserve attention, care, and answers.
If you or someone close to you is experiencing symptoms like heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, or persistent fatigue, don’t dismiss it. Seek medical attention, and if your concerns are ignored, find a doctor who will listen. Your pain is real, and you deserve better.
In a world that has long overlooked the reality of female pain, Venus Williams’s voice gives us one of the most important reminders of all: strength is not just about winning on the court. Sometimes, it’s about standing up for your body—and finally being heard.