Congratulations are for tennis ace Venus Williams and actor Andrea Preti. Following an Italian celebration in September, the couple tied the knot during a week-long celebration with close friends and family in Palm Beach, Florida.
Talking to Vogue magazine, the athlete revealed that for the courthouse ceremony, she slipped into a stunning classic short skirt and top from Morilee New York, paired with headgear. Her wedding dress, by Georges Hobeika, was a corseted fishtail gown with an elaborate lace veil. A slim choker with diamonds studded along the chain, dainty earrings, and barely there makeup kept her look chic and oh-so-elegant.
Williams also revealed that she was diagnosed with adenomyoma in 2024. That harrowing experience turned her fate around and brought the couple closer than ever.
Story continues below this ad
“I was so down. I just felt so overwhelmed,” she recalled, adding that Andrea stepped up during this challenging period in her life, taking charge and offering to connect her with health experts in Italy. “It was so early in our relationship, but we were going through a lot, and he supported me,” she said.
Her wedding dress, by Georges Hobeika, was a corseted fishtail gown. (Source: Instagram/@andreapreti88)
Sharing that she had already frozen her eggs a while ago, Williams added that she had surgery a month after Andrea and her met. In fact, taking to Instagram four months ago, she had detailed the ordeal in the caption of her post, “I was misdiagnosed. I went untreated for years and years and years. It’s so important to advocate for your health! I suffered from severe anemia, debilitating pain, excessive bleeding and abnormally frequent menstrual cycles for many years. It affected my tennis and the trajectory of my career.”
Story continues below this ad
What is adenomyoma?
Dr N Sapna Lulla, Lead Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore, shared that adenomyoma is a type of adenomyosis, a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus grows into the muscle wall of the uterus. In adenomyoma, this growth forms a localised mass or lump inside the uterine muscle.
“This condition is not cancer, but it can cause significant discomfort and affect daily life. Many women experience heavy or prolonged periods, severe menstrual cramps, pelvic pain, bloating, and pain during sex,” she explained, adding that some women may also face difficulty in getting pregnant.
While the condition is not life-threatening, Dr Lulla mentioned that it can seriously affect quality of life if left untreated. The risk mainly comes from long-term pain, heavy bleeding, anaemia, and emotional stress. “The exact cause is not clearly known, but hormonal imbalance, especially excess estrogen, previous uterine surgeries like C-section, and childbirth are considered risk factors,” she said.
Story continues below this ad
Dr. D. Sandhya Rani, Lead Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, KIMS Hospitals Bengaluru added that a lot of time, symptoms of adenomyomas are similar to those of fibroids and endometriosis, which often leads to misdiagnosis. Women who suffer from adenomyomas should not think of their symptoms as simply “routine menstrual pain, and seek immediate medical care if they get progressively worse.
Andrea was a massive support to Venus during the surgery. (Source: Instagram/@andreapreti88)
According to her, a diagnosis is usually made through pelvic examination, ultrasound, or MRI. Treatment depends on age, symptoms, and whether the woman wants to preserve fertility. “Mild cases can be managed with painkillers and hormonal medicines that reduce bleeding and pain,” she added. Hormonal IUDs, birth control pills, or injections may help control symptoms.
In severe cases, like that of Venus Williams’, surgery may be needed. This can include removal of the adenomyoma or, in extreme instances in which childbearing is complete, removal of the uterus. “There is no guaranteed way to prevent adenomyoma, but early diagnosis and timely treatment can control symptoms effectively. With proper medical care, most women can lead a healthy and active life,” Dr Lulla concluded.
Story continues below this ad
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to.
