Oscar Award winner Lupita Nyong’o bravely opened up on the “TODAY” show about doctors discovering 50 fibroids in her uterus after she previously had 23 removed 12 years ago.
“The first time I got the fibroids taken out, they took out 23,” the 42-year-old shared on the morning show. “And this time, I’ve been informed two years ago that I have over 50.”
Lupita Nyong’o Expresses ‘Shame’ About Her Fibroids
Nyong’o went on to express the internal struggle she’s dealt with as she grapples with wondering what she did to deserve her ongoing health battle.
“I felt shame. What did I do to cause them? she expressed. “And I felt very alone and quite scared for my reproductive health.”
To combat the emotional toll that her physical health has taken on her, Nyong’o is doing her best to advocate for other women who face the same challenges by helping to raise money for scientists to hopefully discover less-invasive treatments to remove uterine fibroids.
“I’m excited right now because speaking up has really empowered me,” the actress shared. “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,” Nyong’o added. “I spoke up, and the amount of support I got hearing women say ‘me too’ and share their stories made me feel less alone, and it’s honestly what has bolstered me to do the work that I do now.”
Lupita Nyong’o Says She Has Fibroid the Size of an Orange
The “A Quiet Place: Day One” actress also shared insight on how large her fibroids are, saying that they have increased in size compared to 12 years ago.
“When you have fibroids, doctors usually use fruit to explain to you what size your fibroids are,” she said. “So your fibroid could be the size of a grape. My biggest fibroid is the size of an orange.”
Nyong’o explained that she is now faced with the decision to undergo a myomectomy or live with the debilitating pain.
“And I’m being faced with the same options,” she said. “Surgery or live with the pain. I’m not ready to make that decision,” she shared. “It’s quite invasive… and it’s a big threat to our reproductive organs.”
According to Cleveland Clinic, uterine fibroids are a “noncancerous tumor” and have the potential to cause “heavy menstrual bleeding, back pain, frequent urination and pain during sex.”
If Nyong’o chooses to undergo a myomectomy, surgeons would create a C-section incision in her lower waistline to remove the fibroids while preserving the tissues in her uterus so she still has the option to become pregnant if she so chooses.
Another alternative to reducing the likelihood of fibroids coming back in the future is a hysterectomy to remove the entire uterus.
