The ‘Fibroid Slayer’ Shares Exclusive Tips For Relief

July is Fibroid Awareness Month, but for many Black women, fibroids are a constant concern. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Black women are three times more likely to develop fibroids than other women. They also tend to get them at younger ages and often have larger, faster-growing tumors and more severe symptoms, as reported by the Mayo Clinic. For years, Black women felt their only choices were to live with ongoing pain or undergo a hysterectomy.

Today, women have more options than ever, but understanding them can feel overwhelming. In an exclusive interview with The Root, Dr. Pierre Johnson, a board-certified OB-GYN known as the “Fibroid Slayer,” said women should know one thing first: “It’s not a death sentence.”

Set Your Ultimate Goal

Johnson, who gained national attention after removing a 27-pound fibroid while preserving a patient’s 17-week pregnancy, approaches fibroid care with a patient-first philosophy. He said treatment decisions should begin with a woman’s goals rather than focus on a specific procedure. “It usually comes down to two priorities: pregnancy or symptom relief,” he said.

Once a woman identifies her primary goal, the options become much clearer.

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When Watching and Waiting Makes Sense

Most fibroids are small and don’t require treatment, according to the Cleveland Clinic and Dr. Johnson. Some women choose to live with occasional symptoms, especially if they are mild or manageable. Others may be advised by their doctor to watch and wait, since fibroids often shrink naturally during menopause.

For Black women,watching and waiting can be more complicated. Many have been taught to normalize heavy periods and pelvic pain because they are viewed as a normal part of the menstrual cycle, which can delay diagnosis and treatment. For women experiencing heavy bleeding, exhaustion, anemia, pelvic pressure, or fertility challenges, continuing to wait may come at the expense of their health, quality of life or fertility.

Managing Fibroids With Lifestyle Changes

Many women who are not ready for surgery or medication turn to diet changes, supplements and herbal teas. Eating high-fiber foods like apples and broccoli, vitamin D-rich foods like salmon, and exercising regularly may help with fibroid symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Johnson added that lifestyle changes that let them “live life [without constant] bleeding and changing pads” are worth celebrating, but cautioned that many marketed fibroid remedies may help with pain but don’t actually shrink fibroids.

When to Consider Medical Relief

When symptoms begin to affect daily life, prescription medications can help. The Mayo Clinic notes that hormonal birth control, tranexamic acid and progestin-releasing IUDs can make periods lighter but don’t shrink fibroids. NSAIDs can help with pain, but not with bleeding.

Some prescription medications temporarily shrink tumors by blocking hormones, but can cause menopause-like side effects including hot flashes or bone loss, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Preserving Fertility With Myomectomy

If having children is the goal, Johnson said, protecting the uterus becomes the priority. In many cases, that means a myomectomy, which removes fibroids while leaving the uterus intact.

Johnson compared the uterus to a house, explaining that submucosal fibroids that push into the uterine cavity (“the room”) often cause the most symptoms, even if they’re small. They are also commonly associated with infertility, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Fibroids on the outer surface of the uterus, or “the roof,” are less likely to cause symptoms.

For complex myomectomies, Johnson prefers open surgical approach because he believes it allows for more complete fibroid removal than robotic surgery. “The only way that I can assure that I can remove a pebble-sized fibroid that is stuck in deep muscle is actually feeling it,” he said.

While a 2025 American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology study found a 20 percent reintervention rate after 11 years, Johnson said that, to his knowledge, none of his patients have needed repeat surgery.

Choosing Hysterectomy Without Shame

For women who are done having children or want complete relief from years of heavy bleeding, pain or anemia, a hysterectomy to remove the uterus can be a very effective option. For many Black women, the decision is deeply personal because the uterus can feel tied to identity or womanhood. Johnson believes compassionate care gives women the space to ask questions and separate today’s treatment options from the “brutal” surgical practices of the past that ignored their bodies, recovery and quality of life.

While hysterectomy once meant major open surgery for many women, Johnson said that he often uses robotic surgery to perform the procedure through small incisions. Most patients go home within 24 hours and return to work in about a week.

Taking Charge at Your Appointment

Women with fibroids can integrate Johnson’s goal-based method into conversations with their own doctors by clearly stating whether their main goal is pregnancy or symptom relief. Ask what type of fibroids you have and where they are relative to the uterus, as this can affect your treatment options.

If your doctor suggests surgery, ask why they recommend that approach and whether you’re a candidate for other surgical options. Also ask whether the incision will be below the bikini line, how long the recovery will take, and what the risk for recurrence is. If you don’t feel heard, don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion.

The Bottom Line

The best treatment is the one that aligns with your goals. As Johnson said, “The ultimate goal isn’t fibroid eradication. The ultimate goal is to live healthy lives and not have your quality of life impacted.”