“I felt alone”: Actress Lupita Nyong’o shares ongoing struggle with fibroids

Actress Lupita Nyong’o has disclosed that her uterine fibroids have returned.

Appearing on the Today show on February 25, the 42-year-old opened up about her ongoing struggle with fibroids — noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause severe symptoms including heavy menstrual bleeding, prolonged periods, pelvic discomfort, frequent urination, constipation, and pain in the back and legs.

Nyong’o first learned she had fibroids in 2014, the same year she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her breakout role in 12 Years a Slave. She revealed that during her initial surgery, doctors removed 23 fibroids. However, two years ago she was told she now has more than 50.

She explained that she is once again facing a difficult choice: undergo surgery or continue managing the pain. The A Quiet Place: Day One star said she has not yet decided whether to have a myomectomy, a procedure that removes fibroids while preserving the uterus.

According to Nyong’o, the surgery is invasive and poses significant risks to reproductive health, which makes the decision challenging. She noted that doctors often compare fibroid sizes to fruit to help patients understand their scale, revealing that her largest fibroid is the size of an orange.

The Oscar winner admitted that when she was first diagnosed, she felt ashamed, isolated, and fearful about her reproductive health. Over time, however, speaking publicly about her experience and connecting with other women facing similar struggles has been empowering.

She said the overwhelming support from women sharing their own stories made her feel less alone and strengthened her resolve to advocate for change. Nyong’o is now campaigning and raising funds to support research into less invasive and non-invasive treatments for fibroids.

She stressed the importance of breaking the silence around the condition, arguing that it should not be dismissed as normal simply because it is common.