Porsha Williams is opening up about a major health crisis that changed her plans for motherhood and pushed her to speak more openly about uterine fibroids.
The Real Housewives of Atlanta star, 45, revealed that doctors discovered 21 uterine fibroids during an unexpected medical examination. One of the fibroids had grown to about the size of a cantaloupe.
Williams eventually underwent an emergency partial hysterectomy in May. The surgery removed her uterus while preserving her ovaries, meaning she can no longer carry another pregnancy. She shared the experience during a September 18 appearance on CBS Mornings with Gayle King. (CBS News)
Her story has now become more than a personal health update. Williams is urging women to pay closer attention to changes in their bodies and to speak up when something does not feel right.
Porsha Williams Discovers 21 Uterine Fibroids During Fertility Check
The discovery came unexpectedly. Williams had accompanied a friend to a fertility appointment to discuss egg freezing. Since she was already at the office of a fertility doctor, she decided to have herself examined as well.
During the examination, Williams noticed that the doctor suddenly became quiet. She then saw unusual images on the screen and immediately remembered her previous experience with fibroids.
“Not again. Not again.”
Doctors referred Williams to a fertility specialist, who was reportedly shocked by what she found during the examination. An MRI followed within hours, and surgery was scheduled about two weeks later. (MadameNoire)
The reality star said the entire process moved so quickly that she struggled to process what was happening until she woke up in the hospital.
“It all happened so fast.”
Williams later learned that doctors had found 21 fibroids. The largest was reportedly about the size of a cantaloupe. (CBS News)
Porsha Williams Mistook Fibroid Symptoms for Perimenopause
Looking back, Williams said her body had been giving her warning signs. She had experienced unusually long menstrual periods, migraines, extreme fatigue and mood swings.
Her menstrual cycle had also stretched to roughly six weeks. However, because she was 45, Williams believed some of the changes could have been related to perimenopause.
That assumption meant fibroids were not initially at the front of her mind. Her experience shows why significant or unusual changes should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional rather than automatically attributed to aging or hormonal changes.
The National Institutes of Health notes that fibroids can cause heavy or painful periods, anemia, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, back pain and reproductive problems. Some women, however, have no symptoms at all. (Discover Women’s Health Research)
Williams’ message is therefore straightforward: symptoms deserve attention, especially when they are new, severe or different from a woman’s usual experience.
Her Earlier Battle With Fibroids Also Affected Her Fertility
This was not Williams’ first experience with uterine fibroids. She said she was first diagnosed in her late 20s while dealing with fertility problems.
During one pregnancy, a fibroid continued growing instead of shrinking. Williams said it eventually became larger than the developing pregnancy and contributed to a miscarriage at four months.
She later underwent a myomectomy, a procedure that removes fibroids while preserving the uterus. She also had a fibroid embolization procedure as part of her earlier treatment.
Years later, Williams successfully became pregnant with her daughter, Pilar Jhena, who was born in March 2019. (The Grio)
That history made the latest diagnosis especially painful. Williams had been thinking about having another child, including the possibility of having a son or another daughter.
Emergency Hysterectomy Changed Porsha Williams’ Plans for Motherhood
The emergency surgery brought a major emotional change for Williams. Removing the uterus meant she could no longer carry another pregnancy herself.
According to her account, the surgery preserved her ovaries but removed her uterus. Her doctors also identified other reproductive health conditions, including endometriosis, according to her first-person account published by Glamour. (Glamour)
The physical recovery was only part of the experience. Williams also had to process the loss of an option she had imagined for her future.
She has spoken about the emotional weight of waking up after surgery and realizing that her ability to carry another child was gone. At the same time, she has expressed gratitude for her daughter and for the improvement she says she experienced in her health following the procedure. (Glamour)
The experience highlights how reproductive health procedures can carry both medical and emotional consequences, particularly for women who still have plans for pregnancy.
Why Porsha Williams’ Fibroid Story Matters to Black Women
Williams’ experience also draws attention to a wider health issue affecting Black women.
Uterine fibroids are common, benign growths that develop in or around the uterus. Research has consistently found that Black women in the United States develop fibroids more often and at younger ages than white women, while symptoms can also be more severe. (Discover Women’s Health Research)
Research has also documented heavier menstrual bleeding, anemia and greater concerns about fertility among Black women with symptomatic fibroids. (PubMed Central (PMC))
The reasons for these differences are complex and are not fully understood. Researchers continue to study biological, genetic, environmental and social factors that may contribute to the disparity. (NICHD)
The issue is relevant beyond the United States as well. A study involving women receiving care at Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Ghana found that uterine fibroid symptoms had a significant effect on quality of life, with heavy menstrual bleeding identified as the most concerning symptom among participants. (PubMed)
Porsha Williams Wants Women to Stop Self-Diagnosing
For Williams, one of the biggest lessons from the experience is the importance of speaking up.
“We have to stop diagnosing ourselves.”
She encouraged women to get checked when something feels unusual and to advocate for themselves during medical appointments. She also explained that openly discussing fibroids and hysterectomy can help another woman recognize symptoms that she might otherwise dismiss. (MadameNoire)
Williams said that seeing another woman publicly discuss fibroids might have prompted her to ask more questions earlier.
Her comments point to an important part of healthcare: patients can describe their symptoms, ask questions and request that concerns be investigated, while healthcare professionals can determine what examinations or tests are appropriate.
Her Story Challenges the Stigma Around Hysterectomy
Williams has previously spoken about having fibroids. However, she acknowledged that discussing a hysterectomy publicly felt different.
She said there is still a stigma around the procedure, particularly because of the way it can affect fertility and a woman’s feelings about her body and future.
By speaking publicly about her experience, Williams is adding her voice to conversations about reproductive health that many women may find difficult to have.
Her story does not mean that every woman with fibroids will need surgery. Fibroid treatment depends on factors such as symptoms, size and location of the fibroids, overall health and fertility goals. Available approaches can include medication, procedures that target fibroids and surgery, depending on the individual situation. (PubMed Central (PMC))
Porsha Williams Turns a Painful Experience Into a Health Message
Williams’ story ultimately carries a message about paying attention to the body.
Her diagnosis came while she was not even seeking care specifically for fibroids. Yet the examination uncovered a serious problem that required rapid medical attention.
That experience has encouraged her to use her public platform to remind other women that unusual symptoms should not simply be ignored.
For Black women, the conversation is particularly important because research shows a disproportionate burden of uterine fibroids. Williams’ decision to share her experience also helps make conversations about fibroids, fertility and hysterectomy more visible.
Her message is not about diagnosing yourself. It is about noticing changes, asking questions and making sure those concerns are properly discussed with a healthcare professional.
