This article is part ofUterine Fibroids and Black Women, a destination in our Health Divide series.
Access to care can be a major issue with fibroids.
Thepain and other symptoms that fibroidscan cause will only get worse if left untreated.
Xiaoyu Liu / Verywell
Verywell Health: What are the biggest obstacles to getting the proper care for fibroids?
Dr. Shepherd:There is a healthcare disparity with fibroidsmore African American women and women of color have them.
Access to and resources about more minimally-invasive procedures would be beneficial.
Fibroids also have a financial costboth for the individuals who have them and for society.
According to a 2017 report, the direct annual healthcare costs for fibroids are over $9.4 billion.
The cost of lost wages and sort-term disability is more than $5 billion.
In general, the topic of fibroids needs to be discussed more.
We need to get to a point where women feel that they have enough education and information.
This is where we need to do a better job.
Verywell Health: Why are there more hysterectomies for fibroids in Black patients than in white patients?
Dr. Shepherd:I think that there is a serious racial disparity in health care overall.
Fibroids can be so debilitating.
Fibroids may progress to a state where urgent, serious care is needed.
I also think there is a mistrust of going to the doctor among Black women.
There is a gap in communication between a community and how they get information.
These are all barriers that might be seen between a community and healthcare providers.
Verywell Health: What can healthcare providers do differently?
It can fall flat.
But there are a lot of patients who don’t have an established OBGYN.
They can definitely take it up with their primary healthcare provider.
Family practitioners are wonderful at being able to guide patients along.
This can also be done by other providers such as nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse-midwives.
Verywell Health: Are there any dedicated fibroid specialists or fibroid treatment centers?
But any gynecologist can diagnose and treat fibroids.
Interview conducted byValerie DeBenedette, health writer.
Hartmann KE et al.Management of Uterine Fibroids[Internet].
