Lupita Nyong'o reveals secret decade-long health battle in candid post
Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o said, "Silence serves no one", as she candidly opened up about being diagnosed with chronic uterine fibroids. The Us actor said she had been secretly battling the condition, which are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the womb, for a decade
According to the NHS website, many women are unaware they have fibroids because they do not have any symptoms. Those who do have symptoms could experience heavy/painful periods, abdominal pain, lower back pain, a frequent need to pee, constipation and discomfort during sex. In some rare cases, further complications caused by fibroids can affect pregnancy
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In a new post shared on her Instagram page, Lupita, 42, said she was "speaking up" about her story. Along with a series of snaps, she said she hoped her experience would 'resonate with anyone else who has ever felt dismissed, confused or alone'.
"And I hope to seek answers for the far too many women dealing with uterine fibroids (80% of Black women and 70% of white women by age 50!). We deserve better. It's time to demand it. Silence serves no one," she wrote.
The star added: "1. Today, I joined Congresswomen @repshontel, @repyvetteclarke, @repbonnie, @reprobinkelly and Senators @sen_alsobrooks and @senlbr in Washington DC to introduce a package of uterine fibroid Congressional bills. These bills would expand research funding, increase early detection and interventions for uterine fibroids, study the causes of uterine cancer, and increase public awareness.
"2. In partnership with the Foundation for Women's Health, I'm launching the FWH x Lupita Nyong'o Uterine Fibroid Research Grant. @foundationwomenshealth will seek research proposals to develop minimally invasive or non-invasive treatments for uterine fibroids to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life for the 15 million patients suffering from this chronic condition in the U.S. alone."
The first photo was taken of her at the Oscars in 2014 when she won an award. She said she learned of her uterine fibroids that very same year.
She had surgery to remove 30 fibroids and asked her doctor whether there's anything she could do to prevent them from recurring. Her doctor told her: "You can't. It's only a matter of time until they grown again."
The star went on to share symptoms of fibroids, reminding readers that some people have no symptoms at all. Lupita added: "8 out of 10 Black women and 7 out of 10 white women will experience fibroids. Yet we speak so little of them."
"When we reach puberty, we're taught that periods mean pain, and that pain is simply part of being a woman. I started talking about my experience privately, and I realised so many women are going through this. We're struggling alone with something that affects most of us. No more suffering in silence!" the A Quiet Place: Day One actor added.
Lupita said people have to stop treating the condition as a 'series of unfortunate coincidences' as she told followers: "We must reject the normalisation of female pain. I envision a future with early education for teenagers, better screening protocols, robust prevention research, and less invasive treatments for uterine fibroids."
After opening up about her work to better the future for women's health, friends took to the comment section to praise the star.
Kerry Washington posted: "Brava Lupita. This is so brave and so beautiful," while Nigerian actress Ini Edo said: "The untold woes of womanhood … Be encouraged sis." Catwoman icon Halle Berry added: "This is such important info to share ! Thank you my friend."
Gabrielle Union wrote: "Thank you for sharing this and helping so many of us suffering in silence! Love you mama," and Jessica Alba commented: "You are so brave for sharing -we absolutely need more funding for women's health."
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