Lupita Nyong'o Reveals Diagnosis of Over 50 Uterine Fibroids
Lupita Nyong’o is opening up about her health.
The 42-year-old A Quiet Place: Day One actress made an appearance on Today, and discussed her recent diagnosis of over 50 uterine fibroids.
Keep reading to find out more…
Per Cleveland Clinic: “Uterine fibroids are a common type of noncancerous tumor that can grow in and on your uterus. Not all fibroids cause symptoms, but when they do, symptoms can include heavy menstrual bleeding, back pain, frequent urination and pain during sex. Small fibroids often don’t need treatment, but larger fibroids can be treated with medications or surgery.”
Lupita explained that she first discovered she had them in 2014 following her Oscar win for 12 Years of Slave.
“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. And I’m being faced with the same options. Surgery or live with the pain,” she went on to say.
She has not yet chosen to undergo the myomectomy.
“I’m not ready to make that decision. It’s quite invasive… and it’s a big threat to our reproductive organs.”
“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,” she explained.
Lupita also spoke about stigma for speaking out.
“I felt shame. What did I do to cause them? And I felt very alone and quite scared for my reproductive health,” she said.
“I’m excited right now because speaking up has really empowered me. I’ve found community. I’ve locked arms with women who have been fighting this fight for a long time…there’s a lot of power in speaking up. I spoke up and the amount of support I got hearing women say ‘me too’ and share their stories made me feel less alone and it’s honestly what has bolstered me to do the work that I do now.”
She’s now raising money to help science find better ways to treat 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,” she added. Watch her appearance above.
She’s also starring in an upcoming epic alongside many A-listers.