Up to 80 percent of Black women will develop uterine fibroids by age 50, according to data from USA Fibroid Centers, with more severe symptoms and fewer treatment options than their white counterparts. Yet many are never told about uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.
We spoke with Dr. Pratik A. Shukla to explore why this option remains overlooked and what it will take to achieve true reproductive justice.
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Why Don’t More Women Know About UFE?
BHM: You perform UFE at Rutgers, yet many women still don’t know it exists. Why is that?
Dr. Pratik A. Shukla: UFE is a minimally invasive procedure that cuts off the blood supply to fibroids, causing them to shrink and ultimately disappear. It’s done through a small incision in the wrist or groin, and most patients go home the same day without stitches. Recovery is fast, and it’s been shown to be as effective as surgery. Still, it’s underutilized, partly because patients typically see a gynecologist first. Unless that gynecologist refers them to interventional radiology, they may never hear about UFE.
The reality matches that concern. A 2024 survey conducted by the Society of Interventional Radiology found that only 17 percent of women diagnosed with fibroids recalled being offered UFE as a treatment, while hysterectomy remained the dominant recommendation. The data highlights a larger disconnect in the way treatment pathways are presented, one that continues to limit how fully informed patients can be.
The Disproportionate Burden on Black Women
BHM: Fibroids disproportionately impact Black women. What’s driving that disparity?
Dr. Shukla: It’s largely genetic. Black and Hispanic women are more likely to develop fibroids and have more severe symptoms. There’s also a cultural aspect; some women delay care because their symptoms seem “normal” within their community, which can lead to later diagnoses and more advanced cases.
National estimates cited by Michigan Medicine report that nearly a quarter of Black women between the ages of 18 and 30 have fibroids, compared to about 6 percent of white women. By age 35, that number rises to 60 percent for Black women. The women in our community are also significantly more likely to experience recurring fibroids and undergo hysterectomies, often during their peak reproductive years.
Reaching the Communities That Need It Most
BHM: In a world of misinformation, what does real education and outreach look like? What approaches have proven most effective in reaching women who might otherwise never hear about UFE?
Dr. Shukla: I work predominantly in an underserved community with low health literacy, where fibroids are endemic to the population, and I’ve been trying to find ways to increase awareness and do patient outreach. I’ve tried it all—education for gynecologists through grand round lectures, patient education tools, traditional marketing like social media, personally going out with a team of educators into the community for health fairs, and even partnering with UFE support groups like The White Dress Project.
What I’ve found is that the only truly effective method, especially in underserved minority communities, is a boots-on-the-ground approach. However, that requires a significant amount of person power and time. Currently, I’m leading the Uterine Fibroid Embolization Awareness Workgroup within the Radiology Health Equity Coalition.
The goal is to build teams of motivated medical students at academic centers in urban areas with similar populations, so we can increase these efforts in a coordinated way. Medical students and residents have an incentive to do productive volunteering, in this case, patient education and awareness, with the support of attending physician mentors like me.
A Closer Look at the Numbers
According to the Society of Interventional Radiology, 72% of women surveyed were unaware that they were at risk for fibroids. Meanwhile, research compiled by the Fibroid Fighters Foundation shows that over 85 percent of UFE patients report improved quality of life after treatment, often in outpatient settings.
As the data continues to accumulate, access to options like UFE remains fragmented. Awareness gaps and referral breakdowns still limit informed choice, especially for Black women. Reproductive justice requires consistent access to the full spectrum of care.
Shifting the Standard
BHM: If you had unlimited resources to reshape fibroid care for Black women, what would be your first move? What’s the one thing standing between the current reality and a future where treatment disparities no longer exist?
Dr. Shukla: The one thing standing between the current reality and the future is access to these patients. The one thing I would focus on is educating patients directly, those who have the most incentive to treat their conditions safely and effectively, in this case, with a minimally invasive alternative to surgery. I believe the referral pattern remains a hurdle for patients to access an interventional radiologist for these discussions.
If I had unlimited resources, I would launch a nationwide campaign with the help of influential individuals, including legislators, celebrities, and influencers, to increase awareness of this procedure to the point where patients would demand referrals. If we generate enough data suggesting disparities, we can hopefully engage in discussions with major media outlets to help increase awareness.
Resources
Are Black Women More Likely To Get Fibroids?
Understanding Racial Disparities for Women with Uterine Fibroids
Uterine Fibroid Resources | Radiology Health Equity Coalition
