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Lupita Nyong'o has shared that her uterine fibroids have returned and that she is once again facing difficult decisions about her health.
Appearing on the Today show on Feb. 25, the 42 year old actress spoke candidly about living with fibroids, a condition in which noncancerous growths develop in the uterus. The condition can cause intense symptoms, including heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, frequent urination, constipation, and back or leg pain
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. At that time, she underwent surgery to remove 23 fibroids. Now, she revealed, doctors have told her that she has more than 50.
"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."
The A Quiet Place: Day One star said she has not yet decided whether to undergo another myomectomy, a surgical procedure that removes fibroids while preserving the uterus. She described the operation as invasive and acknowledged that it can pose risks to reproductive organs. For now, she is not ready to make that choice.
While discussing her diagnosis, Nyong'o explained that doctors often use fruit as a comparison to describe fibroid size. Some can be as small as a grape, she said, but her largest fibroid is the size of an orange.
The actress also opened up about the emotional impact of her condition. When she was first diagnosed, she said she felt ashamed and questioned whether she had done something to cause the fibroids. She also felt isolated and worried about her reproductive health.
Over time, however, speaking publicly about her experience has helped her feel less alone. Nyong'o said that connecting with other women who have faced similar challenges has been empowering. Hearing others share their stories and say "me too" gave her strength and encouraged her to continue advocating for better awareness and treatment options.
She is now focused on raising funds and supporting research aimed at developing less invasive and noninvasive treatments for fibroids. Nyong'o believes it is important to speak out so the condition is no longer dismissed or normalized simply because it is common.
