Uterine fibroids lead to hysterectomy for reality star Michelle Le

Michelle Le, a participant on the twentieth season of ‘Married at First Sight’, revealed she underwent a hysterectomy in May due to severe uterine fibroids. The procedure has left her unable to carry a pregnancy, though she and her husband, Cameron Mitchell, intend to explore surrogacy.

Le’s experience highlights a broader medical trend, as uterine fibroids are the leading cause of hysterectomies in the United States. These benign tumors affect a significant portion of women; according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, they affect up to 80 percent of Black women and 70 percent of white women by age 50.

Symptoms can include heavy menstrual bleeding, anemia, pelvic pain, and complications with pregnancy. The location of the fibroids can impact fertility by distorting the uterine cavity or blocking fallopian tubes. Additionally, studies indicate a high rate of recurrence, with 53 percent of fibroids returning within five years.