Latest news with #12YearsaSlave
IOL News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Lupita Nyong'o shares her journey with uterine fibroids and advocates for awareness
Lupita Nyong'o opens up about her struggles with fibroids. Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o took to Instagram to share her deeply personal struggle with uterine fibroids, revealing she underwent surgery in 2014 to remove 30 benign growths. She aims to spark a much-needed conversation about a condition that is common yet often unspoken. The 42-year-old Black Panther star hopes it will resonate with anyone who has felt "dismissed, confused or alone". Nyong'o first discovered she had uterine fibroids in 2014, the same year she won the Oscar Award for Best Supporting Actress for her debut film, 12 Years a Slave. In the post, she explains that fibroids are non-cancerous tumours that develop in or on the uterus, capable of causing debilitating symptoms such as heavy and prolonged periods, pelvic pain, and bladder issues. Nyong'o herself experienced painful periods, which she, like many women, initially believed were "simply part of being a woman".
Express Tribune
16-07-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
Lupita Nyong'o opens up about a private health struggle
Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o has publicly shared that she was diagnosed with uterine fibroids in 2014, the same year she won her Academy Award for 12 Years a Slave. The actress revealed that she underwent surgery to remove approximately 30 non-cancerous tumors, a procedure that she said left her physically and emotionally drained. In a new video released during Fibroid Awareness Month, Nyong'o described fibroids as benign growths that can cause symptoms including heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and reproductive complications. She also spoke about the social and medical silence surrounding menstrual and reproductive health, calling for more open dialogue and less stigma. 'I was dismissed, confused, and alone,' she said, recounting how long it took to get a diagnosis and appropriate care. Nyong'o is now partnering with the Foundation for Women's Health to launch a new fibroid research grant. In addition, she announced plans to collaborate with US lawmakers on legislation aimed at improving fibroid research, funding, and treatment access, particularly for communities disproportionately affected. Fibroids impact up to 80% of Black women by age 50, according to health experts, yet receive limited funding and public attention. Nyong'o's disclosure adds a high-profile voice to a growing movement advocating for better understanding and care of this common condition.
CTV News
16-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Lupita Nyong'o advocates for uterine health legislation after revealing fibroids diagnosis
Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o is sharing her experience of being diagnosed with uterine fibroids, using the opportunity as a call to action on Capitol Hill. (Michael Tran/AFP/Getty Images via CNN Newsource) Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o is sharing about her experience of being diagnosed with uterine fibroids, using the opportunity as a call to action on Capitol Hill. Nyong'o wrote on her Instagram page Tuesday that in 2014, the same year that she won an Oscar for '12 Years a Slave,' she 'discovered' that she had 30 uterine fibroids and underwent surgery to remove them. 'I started talking about my experience privately, and I realized so many women are going through this,' she wrote. 'We're struggling alone with something that affects most of us. No more suffering in silence!' Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus, according to the Office of Women's Health. Symptoms can be severe and may include heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods and stomach pain. According to a report by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Black women are three times more likely to develop fibroids than white women. Nyong'o wrote in her post that in light of July being Fibroid Awareness Month, she wanted to share her experience, saying she hopes it will 'resonate with anyone else who has ever felt dismissed, confused or alone.' Also on Tuesday, the 'Quiet Place: Day One' star appeared on Capitol Hill with Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke to help introduce a legislative bill package that they hope will advance uterine health initiatives, according to a news release. The four bills they introduced 'would expand research funding, increase early detection and interventions for uterine fibroids, study the causes of uterine cancer, and increase public awareness,' Nyong'o wrote in the caption of her Instagram post. 'In 2014 at the age of 31, I received my uterine fibroid diagnosis and was offered only two options: invasive surgery to remove them or live with the pain,' she said in a statement. 'I envision a different future: one with early education for teenagers, better prevention and screening protocols, robust research, and less invasive treatments for uterine fibroids.' Nyong'o also announced that she is launching the FWH x Lupita Nyong'o Uterine Fibroid Grant in partnership with the Foundation for Women's Health. The grant will fund medical research of uterine fibroids, according to the foundation's official website. 'I hope to seek answers for the far too many women dealing with uterine fibroids,' Nyong'o said Tuesday. 'We must reject the normalization of female pain.'
CNN
15-07-2025
- Health
- CNN
Lupita Nyong'o advocates for uterine health legislation after revealing fibroids diagnosis
Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o is sharing about her experience of being diagnosed with uterine fibroids, using the opportunity as a call to action on Capitol Hill. Nyong'o wrote on her Instagram page Tuesday that in 2014, the same year that she won an Oscar for '12 Years a Slave,' she 'discovered' that she had 30 uterine fibroids and underwent surgery to remove them. 'I started talking about my experience privately, and I realized so many women are going through this,' she wrote. 'We're struggling alone with something that affects most of us. No more suffering in silence!' Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous muscular tumors that grow in the wall of the uterus, according to the Office of Women's Health. Symptoms can be severe and may include heavy menstrual bleeding, painful periods and stomach pain. According to a report by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, Black women are three times more likely to develop fibroids than white women. Nyong'o wrote in her post that in light of July being Fibroid Awareness Month, she wanted to share her experience, saying she hopes it will 'resonate with anyone else who has ever felt dismissed, confused or alone.' Also on Tuesday, the 'Quiet Place: Day One' star appeared on Capitol Hill with Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke to help introduce a legislative bill package that they hope will advance uterine health initiatives, according to a news release. The four bills they introduced 'would expand research funding, increase early detection and interventions for uterine fibroids, study the causes of uterine cancer, and increase public awareness,' Nyong'o wrote in the caption of her Instagram post. 'In 2014 at the age of 31, I received my uterine fibroid diagnosis and was offered only two options: invasive surgery to remove them or live with the pain,' she said in a statement. 'I envision a different future: one with early education for teenagers, better prevention and screening protocols, robust research, and less invasive treatments for uterine fibroids.' Nyong'o also announced that she is launching the FWH x Lupita Nyong'o Uterine Fibroid Grant in partnership with the Foundation for Women's Health. The grant will fund medical research of uterine fibroids, according to the foundation's official website. 'I hope to seek answers for the far too many women dealing with uterine fibroids,' Nyong'o said Tuesday. 'We must reject the normalization of female pain.'
New York Post
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Lupita Nyong'o reveals ‘massive' health issue that doctor said she could do ‘nothing' to prevent: ‘No more suffering in silence'
Oscar darling Lupita Nyong'o is stepping back into the spotlight — this time to highlight a condition so common yet so rarely discussed. In a raw, powerful Instagram post on July 15, the actress, 42, revealed a battle she's been quietly fighting for over a decade. 'In March 2014, I won an Academy Award,' she wrote, referring to her win for her supporting role in '12 Years a Slave.' Advertisement 5 In a powerful Instagram post on July 15, Lupita Nyong'o, 42, revealed a battle she's been quietly fighting for over a decade. REUTERS 'That same year, I discovered I had uterine fibroids.' Nyong'o went on to say she had up to 30 fibroids surgically removed. Advertisement She asked her doctor if there was anything she could do to prevent them from coming back. 'She said: 'You can't. It's only a matter of time … until they grow back again,'' she wrote. Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow within or around the uterus — they range from pea- to melon-sized. 5 'We're struggling alone with something that affects most of us,' she wrote. 'No more struggling in silence!' Getty Images for Airbnb Advertisement 'We're struggling alone with something that affects most of us,' Nyong'o wrote. 'No more struggling in silence!' Though benign, fibroids can have a major impact. They may lead to heavy, prolonged menstrual bleeding, pelvic and back pain, frequent urination, constipation, bloating and potential complications with fertility and pregnancy. Advertisement They're also widespread: 8 in 10 black women and 7 in 10 white women experience fibroids by the age of 50. 'We need to stop treating this massive issue like a series of unfortunate coincidences,' Nyong'o declared. 'We must reject the normalization of female pain. I envision a future with early detectors for teenagers, better screening protocols, robust prevention research and less invasive treatment for uterine fibroids.' 5 Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that within or around the uterus — they range from the size of a pea to a melon. Studio Romantic – What are uterine fibroids? Uterine fibroids, made of muscle and fibrous tissue, are extremely common — especially during reproductive years. While they're not cancerous, they can still cause significant symptoms and complications for many women. There are four main types, depending on where they grow: Intramural: In the muscular wall of the uterus Subserosal: On the outside of the uterus Submucosal: Just under the lining of the uterus (can cause heavy bleeding) Pedunculated: Attached to the uterus by a stalk Advertisement Fibroids can be symptom-less or they can wreak havoc on a woman's quality of life. 5 Fibroids are extremely common, especially during reproductive years. While they're not cancerous, they can still cause significant symptoms and complications for many women. nenetus – Symptoms may include: Heavy or prolonged periods Severe menstrual cramps Pelvic pain or pressure Frequent urination or difficulty emptying bladder Constipation Back or leg pain Pain during sex Bloating or a feeling of fullness Enlarged abdomen or uterus Infertility or complications during pregnancy Risk factors Advertisement Black women are two to three times more likely to develop fibroids and experience more severe symptoms. Most women are diagnosed between 30 and 50. Having a mother or sister with fibroids increases your risk. A diet heavy in red meat, obesity, earlier menstruation, vitamin D deficiency and no history of pregnancy puts you at greater risk. Treatment options Advertisement Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms, the size/location of fibroids, the woman's age and whether she wants to preserve fertility. Non-surgical options: Watchful waiting: For small or asymptomatic fibroids Medications: Hormonal birth control (pills, IUDs, shots): Helps with bleeding, not size GnRH agonists (e.g. Lupron): Temporarily shrink fibroids by stopping estrogen production — can cause menopause-like side effects Tranexamic acid: Reduces bleeding during periods NSAIDs (e.g. ibuprofen): Manage pain, not fibroid size 5 'We must reject the normalization of female pain. I envision a future with early detectors for teenagers, better screening protocols, robust prevention research and less invasive treatment for uterine fibroids,' Nyong'o The Met Museum/Vogue Advertisement Minimally-invasive procedures: Uterine artery embolization (UAE): Cuts off blood supply to fibroids to shrink them MRI-guided focused ultrasound (FUS): Uses high-intensity ultrasound waves to destroy fibroids Endometrial ablation: Destroys the lining of the uterus — not ideal for women who want to get pregnant Radiofrequency ablation: Uses heat via a small probe to shrink fibroids Myomectomy: Removes fibroids but preserves the uterus — ideal for women who want children. May be done laparoscopically, abdominally or hysteroscopically. Hysterectomy: Complete removal of the uterus — the only definitive cure for fibroids. May be recommended for severe symptoms or large fibroids in women who don't want to get pregnant. If you want to address your menstrual and hormonal health with traditional Chinese medicine, try a 15-minute virtual consultation with an acupuncturist and herbalist for Elix, a menstrual wellness brand. Can fibroids come back? Fibroids can recur after most treatments except hysterectomy. Recurrence is especially common in younger women and those with several fibroids.
