Research Reality Check
Test your knowledge about health disparities
NIH funding is disproportionately low relative to disease burden for many conditions that primarily affect women.
How long do women with PCOS typically wait for diagnosis?
Research on PCOS & Fibroids in BIPOC Communities
Current research examining health disparities, diagnosis gaps, and treatment outcomes for PCOS and uterine fibroids in Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities.
3x Higher Risk
Fibroids are about 3 times more common in Black women than white women
Source: Catherino et al., Semin Reprod Med 20131 in 3 Wait 2+ Years
One-third of women with PCOS waited more than two years, and saw three or more clinicians, before diagnosis
Source: Gibson-Helm et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2017$33M in FY2023
NIH funding remains disproportionately low relative to disease burden for many conditions that primarily affect women; in FY2023 NIH awarded roughly $33 million across 87 PCOS projects
Source: NIH RePORTER award dataResearch Reality Check
Test your knowledge about health disparities
NIH funding is disproportionately low relative to disease burden for many conditions that primarily affect women.
How long do women with PCOS typically wait for diagnosis?
Recent Research Publications
Uterine fibroids and Black people of African descent globally: a scoping review protocol
Jefferies K, et al. • BMJ Open (2024)
Population: Black women globally
A comprehensive scoping review examining the global burden of uterine fibroids among Black women of African descent, highlighting significant health disparities.
Key Findings (as reported in this study):
- Black women are 3x more likely to develop fibroids compared to the general population
- Earlier onset and more severe symptoms in Black women
- Larger fibroid sizes reported in Black populations
Figures above are drawn directly from "Uterine fibroids and Black people of African descent globally: a scoping review protocol" (BMJ Open, 2024) — see link below.
The fibroid crisis in Black women: more work to be done!
Various Authors • American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (2024)
Population: Black women
Editorial examining the unique burden of uterine fibroids in Black women, emphasizing the intersection of biological and social determinants of health.
Key Findings (as reported in this study):
- Structural racism contributes to healthcare disparities
- Complex disease presentation in Black women
- Need for biopsychosocial approach to treatment
Figures above are drawn directly from "The fibroid crisis in Black women: more work to be done!" (American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2024) — see link below.
Uterine Fibroid Diagnosis by Race and Ethnicity in an Integrated Health Care System
Multiple Authors • PMC Research (2024)
Population: Multi-ethnic cohort
Cohort study of nearly 2 million patients examining differences in fibroid diagnosis rates across racial and ethnic groups from 2009-2022.
Key Findings (as reported in this study):
- 71% higher diagnosis rates in South Asian women
- 47% higher rates in East Asian women
- 29% higher rates in Southeast Asian women
- Significant disparities across ethnic groups
Figures above are drawn directly from "Uterine Fibroid Diagnosis by Race and Ethnicity in an Integrated Health Care System" (PMC Research, 2024) — see link below.
Uterine Fibroids Among Caribbean and African Women in the UK: A Rapid Scoping Review
Various Authors • medRxiv (2024)
Population: Caribbean and African women in UK
Scoping review examining fibroid prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes for Caribbean and African women in the UK healthcare system.
Key Findings (as reported in this study):
- Higher prevalence in Caribbean and African women
- Earlier onset compared to other ethnic groups
- Greater symptom severity documented
- Healthcare disparities within UK system
Figures above are drawn directly from "Uterine Fibroids Among Caribbean and African Women in the UK: A Rapid Scoping Review" (medRxiv, 2024) — see link below.
Racial and ethnic disparities in polycystic ovary syndrome
Multiple Authors • Fertility and Sterility (2023)
Population: Multi-ethnic populations
Comprehensive review of racial and ethnic disparities in PCOS diagnosis, presentation, and treatment outcomes.
Key Findings (as reported in this study):
- Delayed diagnosis in women of color
- Different phenotype presentations across ethnicities
- Healthcare access barriers for minority populations
- Need for culturally competent care
Figures above are drawn directly from "Racial and ethnic disparities in polycystic ovary syndrome" (Fertility and Sterility, 2023) — see link below.
Polycystic ovary syndrome: Criteria, phenotypes, race and ethnicity
Various Authors • PMC Research (2024)
Population: Multi-ethnic populations
Review examining phenotypic disparities of PCOS among various racial and ethnic populations, highlighting the need for personalized approaches.
Key Findings (as reported in this study):
- Marked heterogeneity across races and ethnicities
- Different symptom presentations by population
- Metabolic implications vary by ethnicity
- Need for ethnicity-specific diagnostic criteria
Figures above are drawn directly from "Polycystic ovary syndrome: Criteria, phenotypes, race and ethnicity" (PMC Research, 2024) — see link below.
Concerns and expectations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome vary across age and ethnicity: findings from PCOS Pearls Study
Multiple Authors • PMC Research (2023)
Population: Multi-ethnic women with PCOS
Qualitative study exploring perceptions and lived experiences of women with PCOS across different age groups and ethnicities.
Key Findings (as reported in this study):
- Patient concerns vary significantly by ethnicity
- Age influences treatment expectations
- Cultural factors impact care preferences
- Need for culturally sensitive communication
Figures above are drawn directly from "Concerns and expectations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome vary across age and ethnicity: findings from PCOS Pearls Study" (PMC Research, 2023) — see link below.
Factors associated with self-report of polycystic ovary syndrome in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study (CARDIA)
Kim C, et al. • BMC Women's Health (2023)
Population: CARDIA study participants
Analysis of PCOS self-reporting patterns in a diverse cohort from the CARDIA study, examining racial and socioeconomic factors.
Key Findings (as reported in this study):
- Underreporting in certain ethnic groups
- Socioeconomic factors influence diagnosis
- Healthcare access impacts detection rates
- Long-term cardiovascular implications documented
Figures above are drawn directly from "Factors associated with self-report of polycystic ovary syndrome in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study (CARDIA)" (BMC Women's Health, 2023) — see link below.
Uterine fibroids - Causes, impact, treatment, and lens to the African perspective
Sefah N, et al. • Frontiers in Pharmacology (2023)
Population: African women
Comprehensive review examining uterine fibroids from an African perspective, addressing unique challenges and treatment approaches.
Key Findings (as reported in this study):
- Higher prevalence in African populations
- Limited treatment options in resource-poor settings
- Cultural factors influence treatment decisions
- Need for context-specific interventions
Figures above are drawn directly from "Uterine fibroids - Causes, impact, treatment, and lens to the African perspective" (Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2023) — see link below.
The global burden of polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer from 1990 to 2021
Cai QY, et al. • BMC Public Health (2024)
Population: Global populations
Global burden analysis examining trends in gynecological conditions including PCOS and fibroids across different populations and regions.
Key Findings (as reported in this study):
- Increasing global burden of PCOS and fibroids
- Significant regional disparities documented
- Higher impact in low-resource settings
- Growing need for targeted interventions
Figures above are drawn directly from "The global burden of polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer from 1990 to 2021" (BMC Public Health, 2024) — see link below.
Why Black Women Need Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome to Be Treated as a Reproductive Justice Issue
The Century Foundation • Policy Commentary (2024)
Population: Black women
Policy analysis examining PCOS through a reproductive justice lens, highlighting systemic barriers faced by Black women.
Key Findings (as reported in this study):
- PCOS disproportionately affects Black women
- Systemic barriers to diagnosis and treatment
- Need for policy-level interventions
- Reproductive justice framework necessary
Figures above are drawn directly from "Why Black Women Need Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome to Be Treated as a Reproductive Justice Issue" (Policy Commentary, 2024) — see link below.
Why PCOS Goes Underdiagnosed in Black Women
Capital B News • Health Journalism (2024)
Population: Black women
Investigative report examining factors contributing to PCOS underdiagnosis in Black women, including healthcare bias and access barriers.
Key Findings (as reported in this study):
- Significant underdiagnosis in Black communities
- Healthcare provider bias documented
- Delayed recognition of symptoms
- Need for provider education and training
Figures above are drawn directly from "Why PCOS Goes Underdiagnosed in Black Women" (Health Journalism, 2024) — see link below.
Stay Updated on Latest Research
New studies are published regularly. Follow our work to stay informed about the latest research on PCOS and fibroids in BIPOC communities.
Through our SheSpeaks Research Equity Project, we're leading community-driven research that centers BIPOC experiences and fills critical gaps in understanding.
The Research Funding Crisis
Revealing the shocking disparity in research investment
How does NIH funding compare to disease burden for conditions that primarily affect women?
Sources & References for Stats Above
These figures (stat cards and interactive quizzes) are drawn from the peer-reviewed literature and federal data cited below. The bibliography of research articles above links directly to each paper for its own reported findings.
- Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Pathogenesis and Clinical Manifestations of Uterine LeiomyomaCatherino WH, Eltoukhi HM, Al-Hendy A • Seminars in Reproductive Medicine • 2013 • Fibroid prevalence is roughly three times higher among women of African ancestry
- Delayed diagnosis and a lack of information associated with dissatisfaction in women with polycystic ovary syndromeGibson-Helm M, Teede H, Dunaif A, Dokras A • The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism • 2017 • One-third of respondents waited more than two years and saw three or more clinicians before diagnosis
- NIH RePORTER — federally funded research project databaseU.S. National Institutes of Health • 2024 • FY2023 awards: ~$33M across 87 PCOS projects; ~$31M across 47 uterine fibroid projects
- Gender Disparity in the Funding of Diseases by the U.S. National Institutes of HealthMirin AA • Journal of Women's Health • 2021 • In nearly three-quarters of cases where a disease affects primarily one gender, NIH funding favors male-predominant conditions relative to disease burden