Venus Williams Opens Up About Her 30-Year Battle With Fibroids: ‘I Was Clutching the Toilet in Agony’…Read More…
In a brave and emotional revelation, tennis icon Venus Williams has opened up about her decades-long battle with fibroids — a chronic health condition that silently affects millions of women around the world. For the first time, the 44-year-old legend has shared the harrowing details of her personal journey, describing years of misdiagnoses, physical agony, and emotional exhaustion while continuing to compete at the highest level of her sport.
Venus, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and a trailblazer both on and off the court, admitted that for over 30 years she suffered in silence from the debilitating effects of fibroids — noncancerous tumors that grow in the uterus. Speaking in a recent interview with Essence magazine, she recounted the unbearable pain that at times left her curled on the bathroom floor, “hugging the toilet bowl,” unable to move.
“I remember one night I was supposed to attend a charity gala, and instead I was doubled over in my hotel bathroom, crying and clenching the toilet bowl for support,” Venus said. “I didn’t know what was wrong with me. All I knew was the pain was so intense, I couldn’t stand.”
A Silent Struggle Behind the Spotlight
For much of her career, the tennis superstar was lauded for her powerful serves, steely determination, and consistent performances. Few knew that behind the athletic facade was a woman battling not just fierce opponents on the court but an invisible and misunderstood condition in her own body.
Venus revealed that her symptoms began in adolescence, but she was repeatedly told that what she was experiencing was simply “normal period pain.” Over time, the symptoms escalated — heavy bleeding, fatigue, pelvic discomfort, and bloating — yet her concerns were often brushed off.
“Being a Black woman in healthcare, I often felt dismissed,” Venus explained. “Doctors would say, ‘Oh, it’s just your cycle,’ or, ‘You’re an athlete, your body goes through stress.’ But I knew deep down that something wasn’t right.”
It wasn’t until she reached her early 40s that she finally received a proper diagnosis: uterine fibroids. By that time, she had endured years of misdiagnoses, failed treatments, and a deepening sense of frustration.
Raising Awareness and Empowering Women
Now, Venus is using her platform to shed light on fibroids — a condition that affects approximately 70% of women by age 50, with Black women being disproportionately impacted. Studies have shown that Black women are three times more likely to develop fibroids and often experience more severe symptoms and earlier onset.
“The silence around fibroids is deafening,” she said. “So many women are suffering, thinking they’re alone, thinking the pain is just part of being a woman. But it’s not — and we need to start talking about it.”
Through her story, Venus hopes to inspire more women to seek answers, advocate for their health, and push back against dismissive healthcare encounters.
She has also partnered with several organizations focused on women’s reproductive health and plans to launch a fibroid awareness campaign later this year. The initiative aims to educate women about the signs and symptoms of fibroids, promote early diagnosis, and empower patients with information about treatment options — including less invasive procedures and holistic approaches.
Playing Through the Pain
What makes Venus’ story all the more astonishing is that she managed to maintain a stellar tennis career despite the toll fibroids were taking on her body.
“There were matches where I could barely move, matches where I felt like I was dragging an anchor behind me,” she recalled. “I’d wake up feeling like I had no energy, like I was fighting a battle inside my own body — and then I’d have to go play a Grand Slam.”
Even as she pushed through the physical limits imposed by fibroids, Venus remained fiercely competitive. Her ability to fight through adversity has long been part of her legend — but now, knowing the full extent of her pain, her accomplishments take on an even greater meaning.
“I’ve always tried to be strong, but strength isn’t about pretending you’re not in pain. Strength is speaking out, even when it’s hard,” she said.
A New Chapter
Now on a more manageable treatment regimen, Venus says she’s feeling stronger and more in control of her body. While she admits that fibroids still pose challenges, the difference now is that she knows what she’s up against — and she refuses to suffer in silence.
“I’ve learned to listen to my body and speak up when something doesn’t feel right. That’s not weakness — that’s wisdom,” Venus said.
As she continues to advocate for women’s health and share her story, Venus Williams is once again proving that she is much more than an athlete — she’s a resilient, fearless voice for change.
“In tennis, you learn to fight point by point, game by game,” she said with a smile. “With health, it’s the same. You fight every day — but now, I know I’m not fighting alone.”
With her candor and courage, Venus Williams is serving up more than just inspiration — she’s igniting a conversation that could improve the lives of countless women across the globe.
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