Lupita Nyong'o reveals uterine fibroids diagnosis and calls for change
The 42-year-old actress was diagnosed with the illness - which sees non-cancerous growths developing in or around the uterus - 11 years ago, and she has opened up in a bid to encourage more people to talk about women's health issues.
She wrote on Instagram over a series of photos: "In March 2014, I won an Academy Award. That same year, I discovered I had uterine fibroids. 30 fibroids.
"I had surgery to remove them. I asked my doctor if I could do anything to prevent them from recurring.
"She said: 'You can't. It's only a matter of time until they grow again.' "
She explained that uterine fibroids "can range from the size of a pea to as large as a melon", and "can cause heavy menstrual bleeding and anemia, pelvic pain, frequent urination, and complications with pregnancy".
One of the slides on The Wild Robot star's post noted that while some women "have no symptoms at all", others will "experience debilitating effects".
Lupita pointed out how people "speak so little" of the health issue, despite fibroids impacting 8 out of 10 Black women, and 7 out of 10 white women.
She continued: "When we reach puberty, we're taught periods mean pain, and that pain is simply part of being a woman.
"I started talking about my experience privately, and I realized so many women are going through this.
"We're struggling alone with something that affects us most. No more suffering in silence! We need to stop treating this massive issue like a series of unfortunate coincidences.
"We must reject the normalization of female pain.
"I envision a future with early education for teenagers, better screening protocols, robust prevention research, and less invasive treatment for uterine fibroids.
"Let's study women's health and prioritize this chronic condition that has never been comprehensively examined."
The A Quiet Place: Day One actress encouraged her fans to read the caption to the lengthy post, which explained more about Fibroid Awareness Month and revealed she has not only called members of Congress to table a "package of uterine fibroid Congressional bills", as well as teaming up with the Foundation For Women's Health to launch the FWH x Lupita Nyong'o Uterine Fibroid Research Grant.
She wrote: "We deserve better. It's time to demand it. Silence serves no one!"
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