Tamuno Wokoma
Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has opened up about her ongoing battle with uterine fibroids, revealing she now has more than 50 growths.
During a candid interview on the Today show, Nyong’o shared that her condition has progressed significantly since her initial diagnosis in 2014—shortly after her historic Oscar win for 12 Years a Slave.
Her first surgical intervention removed 23 fibroids, but recent scans show the number has more than doubled.
“After my first surgery, doctors extracted 23 fibroids,” she disclosed. “Now, I’ve learned there are over 50, with the largest comparable to an orange in size.”
The actress expressed frustration at her limited treatment choices—either enduring chronic discomfort or undergoing another invasive procedure with potential fertility implications.
“Myomectomies carry risks, and I’m not prepared to commit to that path yet,” Nyong’o admitted.
Uterine fibroids, benign tumors that disproportionately impact Black women, often lead to debilitating symptoms like severe pelvic pressure and excessive bleeding.
Nyong’o recalled the isolation she initially felt after her diagnosis: “I blamed myself and feared for my future reproductive health. The stigma made it harder.”
Finding solidarity in support groups transformed her perspective. “Connecting with other women showed me I wasn’t alone,” she said.
Now, the Black Panther star is championing greater awareness, urging the medical community to prioritize research and improved care.
“This condition deserves serious attention—not dismissal,” Nyong’o emphasized. “It’s time to break the silence.”
