Did you know that “An estimated 70 percent of White women and 80 percent of Black women in the United States will develop uterine fibroids by age 50.” That’s not a typo. That’s a quote from a recent edition of Science News, which reports that the vast majority of women will develop these benign tumors at some point in their reproductive lives.
I know a lot about fibroids because my mother had them. Then my partner was diagnosed in her 40s. I’ll spare you her lurid description of how it felt, but it was reminiscent of that famous scene in “Alien.” The first doctor recommended a hysterectomy. The 2nd doctor we saw wanted to use a morcellator. Oh no. I’d read new studies showing they could spread cancer. Ultimately, she opted out of surgical procedures and endured the pain.
What Are Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. They’re made of muscle and fibrous tissue. They can range from tiny to massive (grapefruit-sized or larger).
While they’re classified as “benign,” that medical term is misleading. For many women, fibroids cause excruciating pelvic pain and heavy menstrual bleeding that leads to anemia. They also create pressure on the bladder and bowel, plus severe complications during pregnancy.
Women dealing with fibroid-related pain often experience:
- Avoidance of penetrative sex due to deep pelvic pain
- Anxiety about heavy bleeding during intimacy
- Body image struggles with fibroid-related abdominal distension
- Relationship strain from chronic pain and fatigue
- Fertility anxiety and grief over reproductive complications
- Loss of sexual confidence and desire
New Hope for Better Treatments
Now, Dr. Erika Moore, a biomedical engineer at the University of Maryland, is innovating a new kind of research. Moore’s lab has created sophisticated tissue models that mimic the physical properties of fibroid tissue. These models allow researchers to test non-hormonal treatments that could vastly improve treatment options.
Moore’s research opens the door to new, personalized medical treatments for women with fibroids. It represents hope that women won’t have to choose between silent suffering and major surgery. Her focus on racial health equity ensures that Black women — who develop fibroids earlier, more severely, and with worse outcomes than White women — won’t be left behind in the search for solutions.
For her work, Moore was named to the 2025 “Scientists to Watch” list. Read more about Dr. Moore’s research in Science News.
Banner credit: Title: Uterus (womb) Creator: Date: 1700/1850 Providing institution: Universitaire Bibliotheken Leiden Aggregator: Dutch Collections for Europe Providing Country: Netherlands Public Domain Uterus (womb) – Leiden University Libraries, Netherlands – Public Domain. https://www.europeana.eu/item/744/item_3460134
