Lupita Nyong'o Reveals Agonising Fibroid Battle in New Awareness Campaign
Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o has publicly detailed her painful decade-long struggle with uterine fibroids, launching a significant new campaign to raise awareness about this common yet often debilitating condition. The 42-year-old star, who first received her diagnosis in 2014—the same year she won her Oscar for 12 Years a Slave—recalled feeling "very alone and scared" when initially confronting the diagnosis.
A Private Decade of Pain
For ten years, Nyong'o privately endured the challenging symptoms of uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus. These growths can cause:
- Heavy and extremely painful menstrual periods
- Persistent abdominal or lower back pain
- Frequent urination and constipation
- Significant discomfort during sexual intercourse
The actress underwent surgery to remove her fibroids, but her relief proved temporary as the growths returned more aggressively than before. Nyong'o revealed she now has more than double the number of fibroids removed during her initial surgery, with the largest currently measuring "the size of an orange."
Breaking the Silence and Finding Community
Nyong'o first shared her condition publicly last year, a decision she says has fundamentally transformed her experience. "Speaking up has made me feel less alone," she explained, noting that going public has enabled her to connect with numerous women facing similar health challenges. During an appearance on the Today Show, she elaborated on her initial feelings of isolation and shame surrounding her diagnosis.
"I felt shame. What did I do to cause them? And I felt very alone and quite scared for my reproductive health," Nyong'o recalled. Her doctor had warned that fibroid recurrence was likely, stating it was "only a matter of time until they grow again." This prediction proved accurate, with her current fibroid count exceeding fifty growths.
The Make Fibroids Count Initiative
Nyong'o is now channeling her personal experience into advocacy through the Make Fibroids Count campaign, created in partnership with the Foundation for Women's Health. The initiative commits $200,000 toward research for less invasive treatment options and aims to amplify conversations about fibroid management and care.
"I'm excited right now because speaking up has really empowered me," Nyong'o stated. "I've found community. I've locked arms with women who have been fighting this fight for a long time. And we get to raise this money with this campaign and actually have women who are most affected participate in the solution we long to find."
Timing and Targeted Advocacy
The actress deliberately launched her initiative at the intersection of Black History Month and Women's History Month, highlighting that black women are disproportionately affected by uterine fibroids. She has joined several congresswomen in pushing for legislation that expands research into the condition and challenges the dangerous notion that "pain is simply part of being a woman."
Nyong'o emphasized the power of shared experiences in driving change: "By sharing our stories, that's how we actually make this issue unavoidable, so that we are no longer neglecting it and we're dealing with it head on." She added that hearing other women say "me too" has bolstered her commitment to advocacy work.
Treatment Dilemmas and Future Hopes
Currently facing difficult treatment decisions, Nyong'o explained her hesitation about undergoing another myomectomy—a surgical procedure to remove fibroids while preserving the uterus. "I'm being faced with the same options. Surgery or live with the pain," she said. "I'm not ready to make that decision. It's quite invasive... and it's a big threat to our reproductive organs."
The actress concluded with a powerful call to action: "I think it's high time we speak up to ensure that this is no longer trivialized and it's no longer considered normal just because it's common." Her campaign represents a significant step toward destigmatizing uterine fibroids and improving treatment options for millions of women worldwide.
