Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has bravely opened up about a deeply personal health journey, revealing her battle with uterine fibroids and using her platform to call for better awareness, education, and research into women’s reproductive health.
“We Deserve Better” — Lupita Breaks the Silence on Fibroids
In a powerful Instagram post on July 16, the Wild Robot and A Quiet Place: Day One star shared that she was diagnosed with 30 uterine fibroids back in 2014 — the same year she won her Oscar for 12 Years a Slave. The 42-year-old actress disclosed that she had surgery to remove the fibroids but was told by her doctor that they would likely return.
“We’re struggling alone with something that affects us most. No more suffering in silence!” – Lupita Nyong’o
What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that develop in or around the uterus. They can vary in size — from as small as a pea to as large as a melon — and symptoms may include:
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Anemia
• Pelvic pain
• Frequent urination
• Fertility complications
However, some women experience no symptoms at all.
Advocacy Through Awareness
Nyong’o stressed how little society talks about fibroids despite the condition affecting up to 80% of Black women and 70% of white women. She criticized how girls are often taught to associate pain with menstruation, which can normalize suffering and delay proper diagnosis.
She wrote:
“We must reject the normalization of female pain. Let’s study women’s health and prioritize this chronic condition that has never been comprehensively examined.”
Lupita Is Taking Action
Beyond raising awareness, Lupita is pushing for systemic change:
• She has called on members of U.S. Congress to back a package of uterine fibroid bills.
• She’s partnered with the Foundation for Women’s Health to launch the FWH x Lupita Nyong’o Uterine Fibroid Research Grant.
• She highlighted Fibroid Awareness Month and encouraged followers to educate themselves and advocate for better care.
A Vision for the Future
Lupita outlined her hopes for:
• Early education for teens
• Stronger screening protocols
• More robust prevention research
• Less invasive treatment options
Her call to action is clear: “We deserve better. It’s time to demand it. Silence serves no one!”
Lupita Nyong’o’s courageous revelation is sparking a critical conversation on women’s health — one that’s long overdue. Her advocacy could pave the way for greater understanding, more research funding, and, most importantly, a future where women no longer suffer in silence.
