On a recent season of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, newcomer Bozoma Saint John spoke about her struggle with fibroids following surgery. She’s not alone—other Housewives stars have also shared their experiences over the years. While reality TV has helped spark awareness, fibroids are a far more widespread issue than many realize. 

By age 50, up to 70% of women will develop fibroids. That’s about 26 million women in the U.S. alone, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  

Despite how common fibroids are, the road to diagnosis and treatment is often long. Dr. Erica Marsh of University of Michigan Health points to what she calls the “four deadly Ds”—delay, dismissal, denial, and disrespect—as major barriers women face when seeking care. Many patients are told that heavy bleeding or pain is “normal,” causing years of untreated symptoms. 

Recent studies show fibroid rates climbing in India and Brazil, linked to environmental and genetic factors. At the same time, lawmakers in the U.S., like Congresswoman Shontel Brown, are reintroducing legislation to support fibroid detection and research. 

Doctors stress that hysterectomy is not the only treatment option, and fibroids do not automatically mean infertility. Patients are encouraged to be their own advocates—ask questions, push for answers, and know there are multiple options available. 

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