Lupita Nyong’o
Oscar-winning Kenyan actress, Lupita Nyong’o has revealed that her fibroids have returned in greater numbers.
Speaking on the Today show on Wednesday the 42-year-old actress shared details about her ongoing battle with the condition.
Nyong’o said she first discovered she had fibroids in 2014, the same year she won an Oscar for her role in 12 Years a 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.”
She explained that she now faces another difficult decision about whether to undergo surgery or manage the pain.
“I’m not ready to make that decision,” she said. “It’s quite invasive, and it’s a big threat to our reproductive organs.”
Describing the condition, she added, “Doctors usually use fruit to explain the size. My biggest fibroid is the size of an orange.”
Nyong’o admitted that when she was first diagnosed, she felt ashamed and alone.
“I felt shame. What did I do to cause them? I felt very alone and quite scared for my reproductive health,” she said.
However, she noted that speaking publicly has empowered her.
“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,” she added.
The actress is now calling for greater awareness and less invasive treatment options.
“I think it is high time we speak up to ensure that this is no longer trivialized and no longer considered normal just because it’s common,” she emphasised.