Fibroids in West Africa: Why Young Women Should Not Ignore the Warning Signs ‎

Many women in West Africa suffer in silence with heavy periods, pelvic pain and fatigue, and assume it is simply part of being a woman. For some, the cause is uterine fibroids.

Fibroids are usually non-cancerous growths in or around the uterus . Black women are up to four times more likely to develop them, according to DW Africa . Research puts the figure at about three times after adjusting for age and other factors.

Why many women find out late
Only about 25% of women with fibroids show clinical symptoms, and most fibroids go undetected . A South African gynaecologist notes that they are often found by accident, when patients consult for back pain or heavy bleeding.

Among women who do have symptoms, 20% to 50% experience heavy menstrual bleeding, which can lead to anaemia, bladder problems and pregnancy complications .

What about young girls?
The concern for young women is real, but it should be stated carefully. Fibroids are mostly seen in women of reproductive age.

Risk is about 4 to 11 times higher in women aged 40 to 60 than in those aged 20 to 30, and an early first period is linked with higher risk. Black women, however, tend to experience larger fibroids, earlier onset and more severe symptoms . A doctor in Uganda also points to family history: a mother or sister with fibroids raises a woman's risk.

So the message to girls and young women is not panic, but awareness. Know your family history, track your periods, and do not accept severe pain or very heavy bleeding as normal.

A gap in the evidence
West Africa lacks good data. A review found few robust studies of fibroid prevalence in sub-Saharan Africa, with only nine eligible articles, four from Nigeria and two from Ghana . Without data, health authorities cannot plan screening or treatment, which can be costly for families.

What to do
There is no sure way to prevent fibroids. Doctors advise that unusual menstrual changes should be checked early and persistent symptoms never ignored .

Warning signs include very heavy or prolonged periods, pelvic pain or pressure, frequent urination, and unexplained tiredness. A simple ultrasound can often confirm the cause.

Schools, mothers, community leaders and health workers should talk about this openly. Early diagnosis can spare many women pain, anaemia and, in some cases, surgery.

This article is general information, not medical advice.

Mustapha Bature Sallama
Medical/Science communicator, Private Investigator, Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Analysis,United States Institute of Peace (USIP), [email protected] +233555275880

References
DW Africa (2026). Fibroid awareness post. #DWAfrica #FibroidAwareness. Social media.

Sefah, N., et al. (2023). Uterine fibroids: Causes, impact, treatment, and lens to the African perspective. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13:1045783. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.1045783

Morhason-Bello, I. O., & Adebamowo, C. A. Epidemiology of uterine fibroid in black African women: a systematic scoping review. BMJ Open, 12(8):e052053. https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/12/8/e052053

Etowa, J., et al. (2024). Uterine fibroids and Black people of African descent globally: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open. https://doaj.org/article/476f6b5da02748c4a6c375575418c82d

Jefferies, K., & Bland, L. (2024). Uterine fibroids and Black people of African descent globally: a scoping review protocol. https://researchexchange.ocrahope.org/papers/bmjopen-2024-085622

Health-e News. Uterine fibroids: Black women at higher risk. https://health-e.org.za/?p=44731

Daily Monitor (Uganda). Black women more likely to suffer fibroids, scientists say. https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/black-women-more-likely-to-suffer-fibroids-scientists-say-3316794