Lupita Nyong’o has openly discussed her Lupita Nyong’o fibroid battle, revealing the recurrence and significant growth of her uterine fibroids. The Oscar-winning actress shared the details of her diagnosis and the difficult decisions she faces regarding her reproductive health during an interview on the Today show.
The 42-year-old actress first became aware of her uterine fibroids in 2014, coinciding with the year she earned her Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She revealed that the initial surgery involved the removal of 23 fibroids.
“The first time I got the fibroids taken out, they took out 23,”
Nyong’o said.
“And this time, I’ve been informed two years ago that I have over 50.”
Nyong’o shared that she is currently confronting the same critical choices she faced previously regarding treatment.
“And I’m being faced with the same options,”
she said.
“Surgery or live with the pain.”
Despite this, she has not yet committed to undergoing a myomectomy, a surgical procedure intended to remove fibroids while preserving the uterus.
The actress elaborated on her hesitation:
“I’m not ready to make that decision,”
adding,
“It’s quite invasive… and it’s a big threat to our reproductive organs.”
Nyong’o also described the size of her most prominent fibroid to convey the seriousness of her condition:
“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.”
Finding Strength Through Speaking Out
Initially, Nyong’o felt isolated and ashamed about her condition.
“I felt shame. What did I do to cause them? And I felt very alone and quite scared for my reproductive health,”
she admitted. However, speaking publicly about her experiences has helped her find empowerment and connect with a broader community of women facing similar health struggles.
She explained the positive impact of opening up:
Image of: Lupita Nyong’o
“I’m excited right now because speaking up has really empowered me,”
and
“I’ve found community. I’ve locked arms with women who have been fighting this fight for a long time.”
The public response has been supportive, with fans sharing their personal stories and advice. One follower encouraged women to consider hysterectomy as a life-changing option:
“Get your hysterectomy. It has been life changing for me. I was childfree and just got it done this January at 34.”
Another praised Nyong’o for her advocacy, noting the importance of visibility from celebrities:
“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 to advocate for better awareness and less invasive treatments. She emphasized the urgency of changing perceptions around fibroids:
“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,”
stressing the need for more research and support for women’s health.
By sharing her story and raising awareness, Lupita Nyong’o highlights the widespread impact of fibroids and the pressing need for improved treatment options and community support for those affected by this condition.
