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Amy Schumer wasn’t too happy about recent comments about her appearance. Now, she’s sharing gratitude as the criticisms helped lead her to a previously unknown health issue now diagnosed as Cushing Syndrome. Schumer was recently the subject of some harsh criticism after clapping back at people pointing out her “puffy face” as she promoted season two of her latest TV series, Life & Beth.
Schumer Discovered She Has Cushing Syndrome
On Friday, the comedian opened up about her diagnosis in Jessica Yellin’s News Not Noise newsletter. Cushing syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your body makes too much of the hormone cortisol — known as the stress hormone.
While I was doing press on camera for my Hulu show, I was also in MRI machines four hours at a time, having my veins shut down from the amount of blood drawn and thinking I may not be around to see my son grow up. So finding out I have the kind of Cushing that will just work itself out and I’m healthy was the greatest news imaginable. It has been a crazy couple weeks for me and my family.”
Amy Schumer, News Not Noise
Schumer went on to say that it was difficult to navigate “fears about health” while also having to “be on camera having the internet chime in.”
But thank God for that. Because that’s how I realized something was wrong. Just like when I realized I had named my son something that didn’t sound so good. The internet is undefeated, as they say.
Amy Schumer, News Not Noise
The Comedian Wants Women to Advocate for Their Own Health
Amy Schumer says that while commentary on her body’s changes throughout the years has never been kind, she shares her story for an important reason.
I want so much for women to love themselves and be relentless when fighting for their own health in a system that usually doesn’t believe them.“
Amy Schumer, News Not Noise
Schumer has been a long-time advocate for women taking control of their health and well-being, publicly disclosing many steps of her own health journey in hopes other women would do the same. She also has been passionate about women feeling good in their own skin despite what anyone else says or thinks.
Most recently, Schumer had previously defended her appearance after online chatter and speculation. While celebrating Life & Beth, she talked about the “feedback and deliberation about my appearance,” which she’s dealt with throughout her career.
“You’re right. It is puffier than normal right now,” she said of her face, citing her endometriosis diagnosis and the nature of an autoimmune disease. “There are some medical and hormonal things going on in my world right now, but I’m okay.”
