Lupita Nyong’o opened up about her ongoing battle with uterine fibroids, revealing that the condition has returned in full force. The Oscar-winning actress shared her shocking diagnosis on the Today show, describing how the number and size of her fibroids have left her weighing difficult choices about her reproductive health.
Lupita Nyong’o Confronts Growing Fibroids
Lupita Nyong’o, 42, first discovered she had fibroids in 2014, the same year she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. “The first time I got the fibroids taken out, they took out 23,” she said. “And this time, I’ve been informed two years ago that I have over 50.”
The actress revealed the tough decisions she now faces. “And I’m being faced with the same options,” she added. “Surgery or live with the pain.” She has yet to undergo the myomectomy, a procedure that removes fibroids while preserving the uterus.
“I’m not ready to make that decision,” Nyong’o shared. “It’s quite invasive… and it’s a big threat to our reproductive organs.”
Nyong’o described the scale of her largest fibroid: “When you have fibroids, doctors usually use fruit to explain to you what size your fibroids are. So your fibroid could be the size of a grape. My biggest fibroid is the size of an orange.”
Speaking Up and Finding Strength
The actress admitted feeling isolated at first. “I felt shame. What did I do to cause them? And I felt very alone and quite scared for my reproductive health,” she said. But speaking out has changed that, empowering her to connect with other women. “I’m excited right now because speaking up has really empowered me,” Nyong’o shared. “I’ve found community. I’ve locked arms with women who have been fighting this fight for a long time.”
Fans have rallied in support, with one asking ladies to: “Get your hysterectomy. It has been life changing for me. I was childfree and just got it done this January at 34.”
Another user commended her for speaking up about the issue: “Good on her for using her platform to highlight this issue. Love Halle Berry for talking so openly about menopause as well. Great job, ladies. Doing important work”.
Nyong’o continues advocating for less invasive fibroid treatments. “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,” she said, underscoring the importance of awareness and research for women’s health.
Nyong’o’s candid revelation and advocacy highlight the urgent need for awareness, support, and better treatments for women facing fibroids.
