The study revealed a dramatic increase in the numbers of women with impaired fecundity, as well as an increase in women who sought medical treatment. Due to the lack of symptoms, many women frequently do not seek treatment. Those challenged with lower socioeconomic status often lack access to information, insurance and preventive health care. Endometriosis is a chronic condition that has reproductive and health consequences. Another frequent finding in African American women are uterine anomalies such as fibroids.
Fibroids generally occur in women of reproductive age.
They are two to three times more common in African American women than in Caucasian women. An additional consideration in our focus on infertility in African American women is the issue of wellness and quality of life. More than many issues in the field of health within the African American community, the issue of infertility has been least considered, researched, or even discussed among professionals within the health care community. This myth has bombarded our society with stereotypic information, influencing perceptions of women of color. According to a study done for Ferre Institute by the College of New Jersey in 1999, men often equate fertility with potency.