Introduction to Fibroids and Their Impact
Every month, Venus Williams experienced grueling symptoms with her periods. As her menstrual cramps intensified and the nausea heightened, she often found herself “hugging the toilet, waiting for this to pass.” As she grappled with the discomfort, doctors often dismissed her period symptoms as “normal.”
“It just got too bad, and I couldn’t handle it,” the seven-time tennis Grand Slam champion said in an exclusive TODAY interview aired July 3. “(I started) taking something a lot stronger that was prescription, which is not ideal because it’s hard to train on that or be in your right mind.”
Understanding Fibroids and Adenomyosis
While Williams, now 45, knew she had fibroids, doctors never shared how large they were or explained they were related to her intense pain, nausea and persistent anemia from heavy periods. For years, she suffered through it all while trying to maintain her status as an elite tennis player. She’s sharing her story for the first time to raise awareness of fibroids.
Fibroids, noncancerous growths that invade the uterus, are incredibly common — impacting 70% of white women and 80% of Black women before they turn 50. Fibroids cause extreme menstrual cramps, heavy periods, GI issues and bloating. Adenomyosis occurs when tissue like the lining of the uterus invades the uterine walls and causes pain, heavy bleeding and irregular periods.
Worrisome Symptoms Being Dismissed
As an adolescent, Williams experienced heavy bleeding during her periods.
“As bad as things were for me, crazy amounts of bleeding like you couldn’t imagine, lots of pain where you have to take prescription painkillers … my doctors told me it was normal,” she said. “I never realized (anything) was wrong.”
Throughout her career, her excessive bleeding and pain impacted her. When she went for anti-doping tests, they often flagged Williams as being anemic. At first, she attributed it to her Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition characterized by dry eyes and mouth along with muscle pain, fatigue and trouble swallowing, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
The Struggle with Fibroids and Adenomyosis
Williams bled so much during her periods that she often wore layers. That way, if it seeped through one set of clothes, people might not notice. Sometimes, she woke to see blood on her sheets. Her cramps were so intense that she often threw up or couldn’t peel herself off the ground.
During training at Wimbledon in 2016, the pain was all-consuming, and she became so sick she couldn’t eat. She took pills to ease the cramping, but on an empty stomach it made her feel “so out of it.”
“We had a doubles final to play next, and I was just lying on the floor in the locker room, like, ‘It’s gonna pass. It’s gonna pass,’” she recalled. “Thank God Serena got the doctor, and they gave me something. And I was able to get up and eat and start playing — bad luck for the opponents.”
Finding the Right Treatment
While scrolling on social media last summer, Williams saw a post about fibroids that said “you don’t have to live like this.” It was the first time she realized her experience wasn’t the norm for women.
“I got so excited,” she says. “I just dived into the research all that weekend.”
Then she saw an ad about a center that offered treatment for fibroids, and she was intrigued.
“I thought, ‘This is great,’ but I want to go to a place where I feel like I can get expert care,” she said. “I started researching places.”
After a few sleepless nights, she found NYU Langone Health Center for Fibroid Care led by Dr. Taraneh Shirazian.
The Road to Recovery
Shirazian recommended a myomectomy, a procedure that removes the fibroids from the uterus. When she first suggested it to Williams, though, Williams balked at the idea.
“When she came to see me, she told me, ‘I’ve seen a dozen other doctors. No one has recommended surgery. Why are you recommending surgery?” Shirazian recalled. “I said, ‘Well, because I know it will make you better.’”
Ultimately, she decided to undergo the myomectomy, and Shirazian removed the fibroids and the adenomyosis in Williams’ uterus without taking out her uterus. Since then, Williams’ quality of life has improved. She no longer needs to carry stashes of pain killers and tampons, for example.
Conclusion
By sharing her story, Williams hopes that she helps others receive better care.
“Hopefully someone will see this interview and say, ‘I can get help. I don’t have to live this way,’” Williams said. “I’m very passionate about this at this point in time because I know that other people can live better than what I lived.”
FAQs
Q: What are fibroids and how common are they?
A: Fibroids are noncancerous growths that invade the uterus and are incredibly common, impacting 70% of white women and 80% of Black women before they turn 50.
Q: What is adenomyosis?
A: Adenomyosis occurs when tissue like the lining of the uterus invades the uterine walls and causes pain, heavy bleeding and irregular periods.
Q: How did Venus Williams’ experience with fibroids impact her career?
A: Williams’ fibroids impacted her career, as she never had enough energy to play a real match the way she wanted to, and it affected her results.
Q: What treatment did Venus Williams undergo to address her fibroids?
A: Venus Williams underwent a myomectomy, a procedure that removes the fibroids from the uterus, and also had her adenomyosis removed without taking out her uterus.
Q: What message does Venus Williams hope to convey by sharing her story?
A: Venus Williams hopes that by sharing her story, others will realize they don’t have to live with the discomfort and pain of fibroids and can seek help to improve their quality of life.
