Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o shared a deeply personal health update during an appearance on Today, revealing that her fibroids have returned — and doctors have found more than 50.
According to People, Nyong’o first learned she had fibroids in 2014. At the time, she underwent surgery to remove them.
“The first time I got the fibroids taken out, they took out 23,” she explained. “And this time, I’ve been informed two years ago that I have over 50.”
“I Have to Make Two Choices”
Nyong’o said she is now facing a difficult decision: undergo surgery again or live with the pain. She has not committed to another myomectomy — a surgical procedure that removes fibroids while preserving the uterus.
“I’m not ready to make that decision,” she clarified. “It’s quite invasive… and it’s a big threat to our reproductive organs.” She also revealed that her largest fibroid is currently the size of an orange.
Fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow in or on the uterus. They are extremely common, especially among Black women. Yet many women suffer in silence.
From Feeling Alone to Advocacy
Nyong’o admitted that when she was first diagnosed, she felt isolated. That’s common with reproductive health issues. People whisper about them. They don’t broadcast them.
However, over time, she connected with other women experiencing similar challenges. Now, she is going further. She is actively raising money to support scientists working on non-invasive alternatives and treatments for fibroids. Instead of quietly managing the condition, she is pushing for better options.
