Venus Williams Opens Up About Her Struggle with Fibroids and Advocates for More Awareness

Venus Williams, one of the most celebrated athletes in tennis history, has long been a symbol of strength, resilience, and excellence in sports. Over the course of her illustrious career, Williams has proven time and again that she is more than just a powerhouse on the court. But behind her success lies a painful secret that she kept hidden for years—fibroids.

In a powerful interview with NBC News Now anchor Zinhle Essamuah, Venus Williams opened up about her battle with fibroids, benign tumors that develop in the uterus. She shared her emotional journey of dealing with debilitating symptoms while doctors dismissed her concerns, even though she was performing at the highest levels of tennis. Venus’s story is part of an important conversation about women’s health, and it has shed light on the often overlooked issue of fibroids—especially during Fibroid Awareness Month.

What Are Fibroids?

Fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that develop in or on the uterus. They are incredibly common, with studies showing that nearly 70% to 80% of women will develop fibroids by the time they reach 50. Though the condition is widespread, fibroids are often not talked about enough in mainstream health conversations, leading to delayed diagnoses and a lack of awareness around the condition’s impact on women’s lives.

For many women, fibroids can lead to severe symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, bloating, frequent urination, and infertility. In some cases, these symptoms can be debilitating, making it difficult for women to go about their daily lives, much less maintain careers that demand physical performance at the highest level.

Williams, who has spent much of her life in the public eye as a tennis champion, revealed that her journey with fibroids started years ago. Despite experiencing painful symptoms, she said that doctors initially dismissed her concerns. For years, she endured significant pain while trying to stay at the top of her game. It’s a stark reminder of how even the most accomplished athletes, who appear to be in peak physical condition, can face health challenges that are often minimized or ignored.

“I would go to doctors and they would tell me that it was just normal pain or that it was part of being a woman, and I should learn to live with it,” Williams explained during her interview. “I just kept pushing through because I wanted to continue competing, but it was incredibly difficult.”

Williams’s story is all too familiar for many women who suffer from fibroids. It highlights a significant issue within the healthcare system, where women’s pain is often dismissed, and their symptoms are not taken as seriously as those of men. The fact that a world-class athlete like Venus Williams faced years of being overlooked by medical professionals is a glaring example of how societal biases can impact healthcare.

The experience of Venus Williams is not an isolated one. For many women, especially women of color, their health concerns are often downplayed, leading to delayed or incorrect diagnoses. Studies have shown that women are more likely to have their symptoms attributed to psychological issues rather than being taken seriously. In the case of fibroids, this lack of acknowledgment has led to millions of women suffering in silence.

Williams’s advocacy for fibroid awareness is not just about her own experience—it’s about ensuring that women everywhere have their voices heard and are given the proper care and attention they deserve. “I want other women to know that they don’t have to live with these symptoms,” she said. “It’s important to listen to your body and seek help if something feels off.”

Advocacy and Awareness

This July, in honor of Fibroid Awareness Month, Venus Williams is using her platform to raise awareness and push for greater visibility around fibroids. She has partnered with NYU Langone and Dr. Tara, a leading specialist in fibroid treatment, to educate women about their options and to advocate for better healthcare practices.

In addition to sharing her personal story, Williams has joined the We Wear White Project, an initiative designed to raise advocacy around fibroids. The project encourages women to wear white, symbolizing both the fight against fibroids and the need for more open conversations surrounding the condition.

Through her partnership with medical professionals and organizations like NYU Langone, Williams aims to encourage women to seek help and not accept that pain or discomfort is something they must endure. This message resonates deeply, especially for those who have been told that their symptoms are just part of being a woman or are brushed aside as insignificant.

“I want to be able to speak up for the women who don’t feel comfortable talking about it or who don’t know they have options,” Williams said. “The more we talk about it, the more people will understand that fibroids are a major issue for women.”

Living with fibroids can take a heavy emotional toll, especially when doctors dismiss the symptoms or when the condition is left untreated for years. For Venus Williams, this struggle wasn’t just about physical pain but also about the emotional weight of not being heard.

“I’ve always been the type of person who pushes through and keeps going,” Williams shared. “But the fibroids were something I couldn’t just will away. It made me question if I was doing something wrong, and it was hard to accept that I wasn’t getting the help I needed.”

Her journey with fibroids also led her to question the ways in which women’s health is often under-researched and underfunded. As she worked through her own health challenges, Williams came to realize that many women suffer in silence due to a lack of information and a lack of support from the medical community.

“Women’s health is so often overlooked,” Williams stated. “It’s not just about fibroids, but about women’s health in general. We need to ensure that women’s concerns are taken seriously, that they are provided with the best care possible, and that we create spaces for women to talk openly about their health.”

A Future of Empowerment

Despite the setbacks she faced, Williams is not letting fibroids stand in her way. She has announced that she will be competing in the 2025 Charlotte Invitational, marking her return to competitive tennis after a period of health challenges.

Her comeback is a testament to her perseverance, and it highlights the power of early intervention and the right treatment. Venus’s fibroids are now managed, and she is feeling better than ever. Her story of resilience is not just about overcoming the physical pain of fibroids but also about advocating for change and making sure other women have access to the care they need.

“Getting the right treatment has made all the difference for me,” Williams said. “I’m playing better than ever, and I want every woman to know that they deserve to feel good, too.”

Conclusion

Venus Williams’s bravery in speaking out about her fibroid diagnosis and the challenges she faced in seeking treatment has opened up important conversations about women’s health. Her advocacy is a powerful reminder that no woman should have to suffer in silence, and that doctors must listen to and take seriously the health concerns of their female patients. Through her partnership with medical professionals and campaigns like the We Wear White Project, Williams is not just raising awareness for fibroids but is also pushing for a larger cultural shift that puts women’s health at the forefront.

Venus Williams’s story is an inspiration, not only for women dealing with fibroids but for anyone facing challenges in silence. Her openness about her own experience is helping to break down the stigma around women’s health issues and encouraging others to seek help without shame. It is time to ensure that no woman feels like her health concerns are dismissed, and that every woman can live free from the pain and suffering of untreated fibroids.