Lupita Nyong'o is opening up about a deeply personal health battle, revealing that she is currently living with more than 50 uterine fibroids—noncancerous growths that can cause serious physical symptoms.
During a recent appearance on the Today show, the actress shared that her condition has progressed significantly since she was first diagnosed in 2014—the same year she won an Academy Award for 12 Years a Slave.
At the time, she underwent surgery to remove 23 fibroids. Now, the number has more than doubled.
“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.”
The current situation has brought her back to a difficult crossroads. “I’m being faced with the same options—surgery or live with the pain,” she explained, noting that procedures like a myomectomy are invasive and carry risks tied to reproductive health. “I’m not ready to make that decision,” she added.
Fibroids can vary widely in size, and doctors often use everyday objects to describe them. In Nyong’o’s case, the scale is significant. “My biggest fibroid is the size of an orange,” she said, highlighting the severity of her condition.
According to the Mayo Clinic, uterine fibroids—also known as leiomyomas—are common, especially among women of childbearing age. These benign tumors can develop in different parts of the uterus and range from tiny, undetectable growths to large masses that impact surrounding organs.
Symptoms can include heavy or prolonged periods, pelvic pressure, frequent urination, and lower back pain, though some women experience no symptoms at all.
The condition disproportionately affects Black women, who are significantly more likely to develop fibroids, often at younger ages and with more severe symptoms. By age 50, as many as 80% to 90% of Black women may experience fibroids, with higher rates of complications and more aggressive growth patterns.
For Nyong’o, the physical impact has been matched by an emotional one. She admitted that when she was first diagnosed, she struggled with feelings of isolation and self-blame. “I felt shame. What did I do to cause them? And I felt very alone and quite scared for my reproductive health,” she said.
That perspective has shifted over time. Speaking publicly about her experience has connected her with others facing similar challenges. “I’ve found community,” she said. “I’ve locked arms with women who have been fighting this fight for a long time.”
Now, Lupita Nyong'o is using her platform to push for change, including more research into less invasive treatment options. “I think it’s high time we speak up to ensure that this is no longer trivialized,” she said.