Venus Williams, a global sports icon with seven Grand Slam titles, four Olympic gold medals, and over $42 million in prize earnings, has long been admired for her power and grace on the tennis court. But behind her seemingly untouchable success, Williams has quietly endured a debilitating condition that affects millions of women—especially Black women—across the United States: uterine fibroids.
In an exclusive interview with COTXAPI, the 45-year-old athlete spoke candidly about her decades-long battle with fibroids and the excruciating symptoms she’s lived with since her teens. “I remember playing my first French Open at 16,” she recalls. “I was hugging the toilet bowl, losing my lunch from period pains—just before going on to win my match.”
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That 1997 tournament, where she defeated Japan’s Naoko Sawamatsu, marked the start of an elite tennis career. But it also began a silent health struggle. The heavy periods, extreme cramping, and persistent pelvic pain were something Williams simply learned to manage—often without medical validation or adequate support.
Fibroid Symptoms Misunderstood, Undiagnosed for Years
For years, Williams said she was never formally diagnosed with fibroids, a condition involving noncancerous tumors that grow in or on the uterus. Like many women, she assumed her painful symptoms were a normal part of her menstrual cycle. “I think I just kind of diagnosed myself,” she said.
Eventually, in 2016, her gynecologist confirmed she had uterine fibroids, but the medical advice she received was underwhelming: “They would tell me, ‘We’ll just watch it,’” she explained. The only option offered was a hysterectomy—removal of the uterus—a drastic step for someone not ready for that level of intervention.
As her symptoms worsened into her 30s, Williams began relying on prescription pain medication just to function. “I could never be caught without my pain pills. Getting caught in that kind of pain is a disaster,” she shared. She also faced constant mental stress and logistical struggles due to excessive bleeding, often carrying extra pads, tampons, underwear, and clothes everywhere she went.
A Turning Point: New Era of Women’s Health Care
By 2024, after nearly three decades of coping, Williams decided it was time to reclaim her health. She noticed the women’s health landscape was evolving, with new, patient-centered clinics making gynecological care more accessible. One day, scrolling through Instagram, she came across an ad for a fibroid treatment center that offered more than just monitoring or surgery.
This led her to Dr. Taraneh Shirazian, a board-certified gynecologist and director of the Center for Fibroid Care at NYU Langone Health. Dr. Shirazian's holistic approach to fibroid treatment—focusing on continuous care and how fibroids impact all aspects of life—was a revelation for Williams.
“For the first time, I talked to someone who was confident they could treat me,” she said.
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Upon further testing, Dr. Shirazian gave Williams a more comprehensive diagnosis. In addition to fibroids, she had an adenomyoma—a condition in which the lining of the uterus grows into the uterine muscle, causing even more severe symptoms. “I was the first person to tell her about the adenomyoma,” said Dr. Shirazian. “She’d never heard of it before.”
Choosing Surgery—and Finding Relief
After reviewing treatment options, including uterine-sparing surgery and radiofrequency therapy, Williams chose surgery. “Surgery completely removes disease,” explained Dr. Shirazian. “Given her symptoms and history, that was the best option.”
The procedure took place in July 2024. Williams remembers feeling fear in the operating room—but also a moment of comfort. “[Dr. Shirazian] held my hand and I was out,” she said. “That meant so much.”
The surgery was a success. Within days, Williams was walking around. Within a month, she was fully recovered—free from the pain and trauma that had shadowed her for most of her life.
“I had access to the best healthcare, and still didn’t have the right healthcare—until I went to NYU,” she said. “In just three months of meeting Dr. Shirazian, I found relief.”
Raising Awareness for Women Like Her
Williams hopes that by sharing her story, she can help other women—especially Black women—recognize symptoms, seek proper care, and advocate for themselves. Statistics show that fibroids affect 40% to 80% of people with a uterus by age 50, with Black women three times more likely to develop them and at younger ages.
However, many Black women face systemic challenges in healthcare. A 2024 survey revealed that 58% of Black women believe the U.S. healthcare system was designed to hold them back. Dr. Shirazian aims to change that through grassroots outreach and partnerships with advocacy groups like The White Dress Project, which educates women about fibroids and connects them with trusted care providers.
“Make sure you have a doctor that believes in you and that you believe in,” Williams said. “You don’t have to settle at all.”
Final Thoughts: Health Is Power
Now, a year post-surgery, Venus Williams is not just pain-free—she’s empowered. Her story is a powerful reminder that even world-class athletes aren’t immune to medical bias, misinformation, or misdiagnosis. But with the right care, healing is possible.
She urges women everywhere: “If something doesn’t feel right, speak up. Advocate for yourself. You are worth it.”
