For a condition that will affect most women at some point in their lives, uterine fibroids remain widely misunderstood—and underfunded.
Health experts say up to 70% to 80% of women will develop fibroids by age 50, yet researchers still don’t fully understand why they grow or how to prevent them.
That gap in knowledge is driving new research, including efforts to recreate fibroid growth in lab settings to better understand how the tumors form and how they might be stopped. But progress has been slow, in part because funding for fibroid research continues to lag behind other major health conditions.
At the same time, doctors say the impact on patients can be significant—ranging from chronic pain and heavy bleeding to infertility, pregnancy complications and severe anemia. In many cases, the effect on quality of life is comparable to, or worse than, conditions such as heart disease or cancer.
For Black women, the burden is even greater.
They are diagnosed with fibroids at three times the rate of white women and often experience more severe symptoms at younger ages. Researchers say a mix of biological, environmental and social factors may be contributing to that disparity.
Among the emerging areas of concern is the role of hair care products.
Researchers examining multiple studies have found a possible link between certain hair dyes and relaxers—particularly products commonly used by Black women—and an increased risk of fibroids and other hormone-related conditions. The concern centers on how chemicals applied to the scalp can be absorbed into the bloodstream over time.
Hair care, often passed down through generations as a cultural practice, may unintentionally expose users to substances that affect the body’s endocrine system, researchers said. Still, they caution that more study is needed to fully understand the connection.
Stress, however, appears to play an even larger role, along with factors such as early onset of menstruation and higher body mass index—conditions that disproportionately affect Black women.
Despite the risks, many women delay seeking care, often because symptoms have been normalized.
Doctors say it’s common for women—especially in Black families—to be told that severe pain or heavy bleeding is simply part of life. That perception can lead to years of untreated symptoms and more complicated health issues later.
Early diagnosis, experts say, can make a significant difference.
“When we recognize fibroids earlier, intervention can dramatically improve quality of life and reproductive outcomes,” one physician noted.
Treatment, however, is not always straightforward. Fibroids can return even after surgery, forcing some patients to undergo multiple procedures over time. Others turn to a mix of medical and holistic approaches to manage symptoms.
The cost of care adds another layer of challenge. Researchers estimate fibroids carry a national economic burden of more than $42 billion annually, reflecting both direct medical costs and lost productivity.
As research continues, advocates say more attention—and more funding—are critical to closing the gaps.
For now, they say awareness remains one of the most important tools: helping women recognize symptoms, seek care earlier and better understand a condition that affects millions, but is still too often overlooked.