Linsey Davis, an anchor for ABC News, has opened up about her extended struggle with uterine fibroids, sharing her story publicly for the first time.
“I’ve suffered in silence,” Davis, who is 47 and hosts the Sunday edition of World News Tonight as well as serving as a correspondent for “Good Morning America” and “20/20,” mentioned. “It’s not just about talking to anyone—it’s mainly about consulting a gynecologist.”
She aims to help other women avoid feeling isolated in their experiences. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors found in the uterus and can lead to various symptoms, including pelvic pain, bloating, and even constipation. They’re fairly common among women, yet many are unaware since there often aren’t noticeable symptoms.
For Davis, the issue became evident over 13 years ago when she was first diagnosed. Initially, doctors downplayed the severity but warned it could pose challenges for pregnancy.
Surprisingly, about a year after marrying Paul Roberts, she welcomed her son Aiden in 2014. Throughout her pregnancy, the medical team monitored the fibroids, predicting they would cease growing as the baby developed.
“And that’s exactly what happened,” she recalled. “I have my son, and I didn’t have any issues.”
However, six years passed before things took a turn. Davis began experiencing a severe menstrual cycle lasting up to two weeks with intense bleeding and bloating, akin to being pregnant for six months.
After consulting her gynecologist, she was referred to a fibroid specialist. There, she underwent a myomectomy, which removed the fibroids while preserving her uterus. At that point, six fibroids were excised, and she experienced relief for a time.
Unfortunately, the relief was short-lived. Eighteen months later, Davis noticed a lump in her lower abdomen. Initially thought to be a hernia, an ultrasound revealed it was actually a return of uterine fibroids—this time, around 13 had developed.
Her doctor presented three options: another myomectomy, uterine fibroid embolization—blocking blood flow to fibroids—or a hysterectomy to completely remove her uterus.
The hysterectomy would be the only solution to prevent new fibroids from forming.
“I just want to get rid of them,” Davis expressed. She had a pivotal moment earlier this year while co-hosting the Oscar pre-show. She wore a dress that fit tightly around her abdomen, prompting speculation online that she was pregnant.
“It was so embarrassing,” she admitted. The public commentary reinforced her decision to pursue further treatment.
After a second opinion and discussion with her surgeon, Davis came to the decision for a hysterectomy. “I don’t want any more kids at this point,” she said. “That was mainly the reason I considered alternatives.”
Her surgery is set for Friday, and she looks forward to a future without periods. “I never miss having a period,” she added, reflecting on how buying what she believed was her last box of tampons felt like an achievement.
Davis wants to shed light on the prevalence of uterine fibroids, particularly among Black women. Statistics indicate that over 80% of Black women and around 70% of women overall will experience fibroids by age 50.
For years, Davis endured the pain, normalizing it and repeatedly telling herself it was just part of life. Looking back, she wishes she had known that many other women were grappling with similar struggles.
“If I had known I wasn’t alone, perhaps I wouldn’t have felt so embarrassed or isolated,” she said.
She believes in fostering openness around the issue, advising others to share experiences instead of suffering in silence. “I think that’s a much healthier way to manage it than trying to figure everything out alone.”
Before her surgery, Davis plans to participate in a discussion with gynecologist Dr. Soinni Hawkins, singer Tamar Braxton, and former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Cynthia Bailey.
