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Summary
In a recent tweet by an X (formerly called Twitter) user, a Ugandan doctor, Dr Solomon Kimera, popularly known for tweeting about health issues on X, has made a disturbing claim that has raised women's voices. The tweet states that women who want to be financially independent before having kids will have fibroids staring at them. This statement highlights misinformation and gendered pressure. There is no scientific evidence that proves delayed childbirth causes fibroids.
Claim:
On June 2, 2025, solo_mdofficial posted a tweet on X stating, “Girls today; I want to first be an independent, financially stable woman before I get any kids.’ Meanwhile, fibroids are looking at you like.” The tweet has 11M views, 2.2k comments, 5.5k reposts, and 8.5k. The essence of fact-checking this claim is that it misinforms women about their health and makes complex medical conditions seem like “punishments” for exercising autonomy. It shows why we need more feminist public health education, not shame-based messages disguised as concern.
NFM Checks
According to a study on African Journals Online, fibroids (uterine leiomyomas) are non-cancerous uterine growths that can develop during a woman’s childbearing years. They are growths made of muscle and tissue that form in or on the wall of a woman’s uterus. Uterine leiomyoma is one of the benign tumours prevalent in the South-South region of Nigeria. It is believed that these tumours develop in the majority of African women and become symptomatic in one-third of these women.
The risk factors include age, a family history of fibroids, obesity, or early onset of puberty. Not all fibroids cause symptoms, but when they do, symptoms can include heavy menstrual bleeding, back pain, frequent urination, constipation, prolonged periods, and pain during sex. Small fibroids often don’t need treatment, but larger fibroids can be treated with medications or surgery.
Mayo Clinic.Org stated that two hormones, estrogen and progesterone, cause the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus to thicken during each menstrual cycle to prepare for pregnancy. These hormones also seem to help fibroids grow. Fibroids contain more cells that estrogen and progesterone bind to than do typical uterine muscle cells.
A report by Voice of Nigeria says delayed childbirth, especially between the ages of 36 and 50, is a potential risk factor for developing uterine fibroids, which can be associated with hormonal, genetic, and lifestyle stressors. But no, fibroids are not caused by delayed childbirth. Women who have had more pregnancies may have a slightly lower risk of developing fibroids. However, this does not mean that delaying childbirth causes fibroids. Fibroids are rare in women under 20; they are more common in older women, and they can occur at any age, but are more common in women of childbearing age.
A study on American Fibroid highlights that women who have children can still develop fibroids. While having children is associated with a lower risk of developing fibroids, this doesn’t mean early childbirth prevents fibroids or that delaying causes them. The risk of fibroids is generally thought to decrease with each pregnancy, but fibroids can develop or grow even after having children.
Additionally, further enlightens that raising a child requires significant financial resources, therefore wanting to be financially stable is a responsible act. According to UNICEF, nearly 385 million children live in extreme poverty globally. In Nigeria alone, data from the National Bureau of statistics (NBS) shows that over 63% of the population is multidimensionally poor, meaning they suffer deprivations in health, education, and standard of living. An AP report notes that globally, 27% of children under 5 including those in Nigeria, live with severe food poverty, consuming insufficient dietary diversity.
In a country where millions live below the poverty line, having children without adequate financial preparation often results in, malnutrition, child labour, increased maternal mortality, and lack of education. According to News.Zikoko.Com the average cost of giving birth in a hospital in Nigeria ranges from ₦80,000 to ₦250,000, while a C-section may cost up to ₦500,000. Basic needs such as; school fees, clothing, food, and healthcare for just one child can run into millions of naira over the years.
To knowingly bring a child into this kind of environment without a safety net is not an act of love, it can be a setup for lifelong struggle, for both mother and child. No woman owes the world early motherhood. Every woman has the right to be financially free, to define success outside of reproduction and to choose herself first, without guilt.
Health issues like fibroids shouldn’t be used to guilt women out of their freedom to choose. Therefore, having children earlier doesn’t guarantee a fibroid-free life, just as having them later doesn’t guarantee complications.
NFM further consulted a medical expert, Dr Uchechi Daniels, for more clarity. She acknowledges that delayed childbirth can increase the risk of fibroids between the ages of 30 and 50. However, it is not the major cause of fibroids because it varies. She further advises women to do body routine checks often to detect any reproductive issues on time.
Fibroids are not directly linked to age or childbirth. You only embarrassed yourself and your medical expertise,” another medical health professional, Dr Mary, explained, “Nulliparity is a risk factor for fibroids, not a cause of fibroids. Being a “cause” and being a “risk factor” are different terms.”
What Research Says
A major study published in Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that each birth was associated with a 20% reduction in fibroid risk. However, the risk was not increased in childless women; it only reduced in those who gave birth. Therefore, childbirth may lower the risk, but not giving birth doesn’t cause fibroids.
According to a study, while fibroids are less common before the onset of menstruation, they can occur at any age. Some women may develop them earlier, particularly African American women; their growth rate can vary from person to person, and some women may not experience any symptoms or complications.
Additionally, clevelandclinic.org says that delayed childbirth itself may not directly cause fibroids; it suggests a potential link between delayed childbearing and an increased risk of developing uterine fibroids. Specifically, the indication of delayed childbearing may increase the likelihood of fibroid development. However, delayed childbearing is not the only risk factor for fibroids; other factors include age, family history, race, and obesity.
Conclusion
Dr Solomon Kimera, through his tweet, manipulates his medical knowledge of fibroids as a scare tactic to pressure women into motherhood. However, fibroid is a complex medical condition, and delayed childbirth is a factor but not the cause of the condition. Women have the right to choose when, how, and whether to become a parent without shame, misinformation, or fear tactics.
Naija Feminists Media is committed to combating misinformation in the digital space for a gender equal world.
