Linsey Davis, the prominent ABC News anchor, has bravely shared her long-standing struggle with uterine fibroids. In a recent interview with People, the 47-year-old journalist revealed that she was first diagnosed with these noncancerous growths, which can develop in or on the uterus, 13 years ago. Davis candidly expressed, "I suffered in silence," emphasizing that her condition was a topic she rarely discussed with anyone outside of her gynecologist.
Initially, her doctor assessed Davis's fibroids as mild, but she was warned that this condition could complicate her ability to conceive. After marrying her husband, Paul Roberts, the couple welcomed their son, Ayden, in 2014. During her pregnancy, medical professionals observed that her fibroid was growing alongside her fetus, yet they assured her that the baby would ultimately "win out," which turned out to be accurate.
As time passed, Davis experienced increasingly severe symptoms. "Fast forward six years, everything's fine, and then I just started having really drastically bad periods that would last for maybe two weeks," she recounted. The intense bleeding and bloating made her feel as if she were six months pregnant again. This prompted her to seek help from a specialist in fibroid treatment, who recommended a myomectomy—surgery designed to remove fibroids while preserving the uterus.
During the procedure, six fibroids were successfully removed, leading to significant relief from her symptoms. However, a year and a half later, Davis noticed a protrusion on the left side of her lower abdomen. Initially thought to be a hernia, a pelvic ultrasound later confirmed the unwelcome news: her fibroids had returned, this time numbering around 13.
Her doctors presented her with three treatment options: another myomectomy, uterine fibroid embolization, or a hysterectomy. While the first two options carried the risk of recurrence, a hysterectomy would provide a permanent solution. Ultimately, Davis made the decision to undergo a hysterectomy after experiencing uncomfortable bloating during the 2025 Oscars pre-show, which led to online speculation regarding her pregnancy status. "At that point, I was just in a state of mind like, I just wanna get rid of them," she stated, reinforcing her choice.
Davis's surgery is scheduled for August 15, and she has expressed that she does not plan to have more children. Instead, her primary goal is to eliminate the monthly symptoms caused by fibroids. It’s important to note that fibroids are a common issue, affecting more than 80 percent of Black women and about 70 percent of women overall by age 50.
Now, Davis is determined to raise awareness about uterine fibroids and to share her experience so that others do not feel compelled to endure similar symptoms in silence. "It just feels good to be able to talk with other people who say things like, oh, I had that too, and this is how I dealt with it, and this is what I recommend," she said. "I just feel like that is a healthier approach rather than just trying to, on your own, solve for x."
In an upcoming interview, she plans to delve deeper into her journey alongside gynecologist Dr. Soyini Hawkins, singer Tamar Braxton, and former 'Real Housewives of Atlanta' cast member Cynthia Bailey, all of whom have also faced challenges with fibroids. Through this platform, Davis hopes to inspire others to seek help and share their stories.
