Latest news with #LupitaNyongo
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lupita Nyong'o speaks out about painful experience with uterine fibroids. What are they — and who do they affect?
Lupita Nyong'o is going public about her battle with uterine fibroids. On July 15, the Black Panther star took to Instagram to share her story in honor of Fibroid Awareness Month. Nyong'o revealed that in 2014, the same year she won an Academy Award for her performance in 12 Years a Slave, she was diagnosed with 30 uterine fibroids and underwent surgery to remove them. When she asked her doctor how to prevent them from returning, she was told there was nothing she could do — it was only a matter of time before they would likely grow back. As Nyong'o explained in the post, uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in or around the uterus, ranging in size from a pea to a melon. They can cause symptoms like heavy bleeding, pelvic pain and pregnancy complications — though some people have no symptoms at all. Despite affecting eight in 10 Black women and seven in 10 white women, fibroids are rarely talked about. 'When we reach puberty, we're taught that periods mean pain, and that pain is simply part of being a woman,' Nyong'o wrote. However, when the actress started talking about her experience privately, she realized so many women were also suffering. 'We're struggling alone with something that affects most of us. No more suffering in silence,' the post continued. '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 treatments for uterine fibroids.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lupita Nyong'o (@lupitanyongo) She left readers with a call to action: 'Let's study women's health and prioritize this chronic condition that has never been comprehensively examined,' she wrote. The comments section on Nyong'o's post was full of people who applauded her for speaking out. 'Mine were literally making me crazy,' one commenter wrote. 'The pain, the periods, etc. I opted to have a hysterectomy last year, and it's been life-changing.' Another added, 'Had two surgeries for removal and had my hysterectomy in 10/2023. I could have avoided so much pain with a correct diagnosis when I was young.' A third shared that she also had surgery in 2021, after she bled for four months consecutively. 'I was in so much pain,' she wrote. 'Thank you for speaking on this.' And Nyong'o is doing more than just speaking out: In the caption of the post, she said she joined members of Congress on July 15 in Washington, D.C., to introduce a package of bills aimed at expanding research funding, improving early detection and treatment, studying uterine cancer causes and raising public awareness. One of the lawmakers involved in that effort is Rep. Shontel Brown, who shared a photo with the star on her Instagram and wrote in the caption, 'Honored to stand alongside @lupitanyongo today on Capitol Hill to speak out about uterine health — a critical issue impacting so many women. Silence saves no one. It's time we raise our voices and demand better awareness, research, and care. #uterinehealthawareness.' Rep. Yvette Clarke and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks posted similar messages on Instagram about working with the actress on this issue. Additionally, Nyong'o partnered with the Foundation for Women's Health to launch the FWH x Lupita Nyong'o Uterine Fibroid Research Grant, which will fund the development of minimally or non-invasive treatments to help improve quality of life for '15 million patients suffering from this chronic condition in the U.S. alone.' What are uterine fibroids? As Nyong'o explained in her post, uterine fibroids are benign tumors that develop in or around the uterus, most commonly during the reproductive years. They don't increase the risk of uterine cancer and rarely become cancerous, but they can vary widely in size and number — from tiny, undetectable nodules to large masses. They are typically discovered with a routine pelvic exam or an ultrasound. Many people with fibroids don't experience symptoms, but for those who do, symptoms can include heavy menstrual bleeding; painful, long or frequent periods; pelvic pain or pressure; difficulties urinating; constipation; back pain and pain during sex. In extreme cases, uterine fibroids grow large enough to fill the pelvis or abdomen, sometimes causing visible swelling and discomfort and pain. Maria Sophocles, a gynecologist and sexual medicine specialist at Women's Healthcare of Princeton told PureWow in 2023 that fibroids can 'cause such heavy bleeding that they can make you anemic and can even lead to such severe anemia that you can need a blood transfusion." How common are uterine fibroids? Fibroids affect about 40% to 80% of people with a uterus. They are most likely to develop between the ages of 30 and 50, as they're rare after menopause and before puberty, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Several factors can increase the risk of developing fibroids, including obesity or a higher body mass index, a family history of fibroids and not having children. Starting menstruation at a young age and experiencing menopause later in life are also linked to a higher likelihood of developing them. How are they treated? Treatment for uterine fibroids, according to the Cleveland Clinic, often starts with medication to manage symptoms like pain and heavy bleeding. Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen can help with discomfort, while iron supplements may be recommended if fibroids cause anemia. Hormonal birth control can reduce bleeding and cramps, and other medications — such as some newer oral therapies — can shrink fibroids or control bleeding, though the effects may be temporary. There are also treatments like uterine fibroid embolization that shrink fibroids by cutting off their blood supply. However, these options may affect the uterus and aren't typically recommended for people who want to have children in the future as they can impact fertility. Surgery, of the type that Nyong'o had, is also an option to treat fibroids. A myomectomy removes fibroids while keeping the uterus intact. A hysterectomy removes the uterus entirely. Fibroid pain is not rare — and stars are speaking out Nyong'o is not the first person to call attention to how women's pain, particularly around reproductive health, tends to be ignored by the medical community. In fact, research shows that women are more likely than men to have their pain attributed to psychological causes, according to a 2019 report from the Washington Post. And a 2025 survey published in JAMA Network Open found that many women with pelvic disorders felt routinely dismissed by their medical teams, who often alleged that the pain was psychosomatic. Other celebrities are speaking out about having that exact experience. Earlier this month, tennis star Venus Williams also spoke publicly about having painful fibroids in an interview with Today. In the interview, she said her pain was often dismissed by doctors, even when it left her 'laying on the floor in the locker room' before matches. Her persistent bleeding led to anemia, requiring multiple iron infusions, but it took her years to get diagnosed and properly treated by a doctor. 'It just got too bad, and I couldn't handle it,' Williams said. 'I'm sharing now because I was outraged that I didn't know this was possible. I didn't know what was wrong with me. No one should have to go through this.' In 2022, the musician FKA Twigs shared her experience battling fibroids, telling the Guardian, 'If loads of people have it, why hadn't I heard of it? If this is something that's not a big deal, why is it an actual hell living in my body right now?' That same year, Entertainment Tonight cohost Nischelle Turner also spoke about having three surgeries to get rid of her uterine fibroids, after years of heavy, painful periods. 'I knew that something was going on, but I didn't know what it was,' Turner told Today in 2022. 'I was actually scared that it could be some sort of cancer because my stomach looked like I was three months pregnant.'
The Independent
13 hours ago
- Health
- The Independent
Lupita Nyong'o opens up about health diagnosis: ‘Let's prioritize this chronic condition'
Lupita Nyong'o has spoken out about her experience with uterine fibroids during Fibroid Awareness Month. Nyong'o discovered she had the non-cancerous growths in 2014, the same year she won her Oscar, and underwent surgery to remove 30 fibroids. She highlighted that while some individuals are asymptomatic, others suffer debilitating symptoms such as heavy bleeding and pain, noting the condition's high prevalence, particularly among Black women. Nyong'o criticized the normalization of female pain and called for increased societal discussion, early education, better screening, and comprehensive research into women's reproductive health. She has joined Democratic congresswomen and senators to introduce legislative bills aimed at expanding research funding, improving early detection, and increasing public awareness for uterine fibroids, also partnering on a research grant.
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Lupita Nyong'o, 42, candidly reveals decade-long agonising battle with chronic uterine fibroids
Lupita Nyong'o has opened up for the first time about her private, decade-long struggle with a painful health condition in a candid Instagram post shared on Tuesday. The Oscar-winning actress, 42, revealed she has been silently battling chronic uterine fibroids, a common yet debilitating condition, for the past 10 years, saying she often felt 'dismissed' and 'alone' in her search for treatment. In honour of Fibroid Awareness Month, the Black Panther star opened up about battling uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous yet painful growths that develop in or around the uterus, according to the Mayo Clinic. She revealed she first discovered she had 30 uterine fibroids back in 2014, the same year she won an Academy Award and had to undergo surgery to have them removed. However, her relief was short-lived, as Lupita recalled her doctor telling her it was 'only a matter of time until they grow again.' While she didn't detail her specific symptoms, Lupita pointed out that the condition can cause extreme discomfort, including heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, anaemia, frequent urination, and pregnancy complications. The Oscar-winning actress, 42, revealed she has been silently battling chronic uterine fibroids, a common yet debilitating condition, for the past ten years, saying she often felt 'dismissed' and 'alone' in her search for treatment Other common side effects of the condition also include pain during sex and pressure in the abdomen. Lupita, who has partnered with the foundation to spread awareness, told her followers that she had decided to open up about her health struggles to raise awareness of the condition. She also aims to push back on the idea that 'pain is simply part of being a woman'. As part of rejecting 'the normalisation of female pain,' Lupita revealed that she is also joining several congresswomen to push for bills expanding research into the condition. She plans to launch her own grant in collaboration with the Foundation For Women's Health to fund less invasive treatments for uterine fibroids. The star captioned her post: 'I'm speaking up about uterine fibroids. This is my story. 'This Fibroid Awareness Month and beyond, I hope my experience will 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! Alongside a slew of candid images, she captioned the post: 'I'm speaking up about uterine fibroids. This is my story. This Fibroid Awareness Month and beyond, I hope my experience will resonate with anyone else who has ever felt dismissed, confused or alone' 'Here's where I'm beginning ➡️ 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. Learn more and get involved at the link in my bio.' What are Uterine Fibroids? Uterine fibroids are common growths of the uterus. They often appear during the years you're usually able to get pregnant and give birth. Uterine fibroids are not cancer, and they almost never turn into cancer. They aren't linked with a higher risk of other types of cancer in the uterus either. They're also called leiomyomas (lie-o-my-O-muhs) or myomas. The most common symptoms of uterine fibroids include: Heavy menstrual bleeding or painful periods, longer or more frequent periods, pelvic pressure or pain, frequent urination or trouble urinating, constipation, pain in the stomach area or lower back, or pain during sex.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Lupita Nyong'o reveals uterine fibroids diagnosis and calls for change
Lupita Nyong'o has revealed her uterine fibroids diagnosis after "suffering in silence" for over a decade. 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!"
Yahoo
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lupita Nyong'o, Francesca Hayward Lead Star-Studded Cast for Chanel Connects Season 5 (EXCLUSIVE)
Academy Award-winning actor Lupita Nyong'o headlines the fifth season of Chanel Connects, the luxury house's flagship arts and culture podcast, alongside Royal Ballet principal dancer Francesca Hayward and artist Allison Katz. The new season, which launchs July 16 on Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Podcasts, explores themes of home through intimate conversations recorded at La Pausa, Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel's newly restored French Riviera villa that once hosted 20th century luminaries including Salvador Dalí, Jean Cocteau, and Misia Sert. More from Variety Tribeca Festival and Chanel Announce 2025 Artist Awards Program Participants CalArts, Chanel Launch Center for Artists and Tech With AI Focus Tilda Swinton, Apichatpong Weerasethakul Join Forces for Chanel's Asian Cinema Initiatives 'Gabrielle Chanel's villa, La Pausa, was a home of extraordinary creativity, where ideas evolved naturally among the olive groves and lavender. It's a perfect setting for the fifth season of Chanel Connects, which was recorded within the very rooms where Salvador Dali created 11 paintings, Misia Sert triumphed on the piano, and Jean Cocteau crafted his poetry,' said Yana Peel, president of arts, culture and heritage at Chanel. 'This season, we hear from today's creative pioneers. Through a series of conversations, they discuss what's new and next in culture.' Nyong'o, who serves as a Chanel House ambassador, opens the season in conversation with philosopher Emanuele Coccia, author of 'Philosophy of the Home,' exploring how concepts of home have evolved in the digital age. The Oscar winner, who has lived in Kenya, Mexico, and the U.S., reflects on her relationship to place: 'I've adapted and grown with the places I've called home.' She also shares her perspective on storytelling's power, noting that 'stories have the power to be a momentary home.' Episode two pairs Hayward with artist Allison Katz, whose work is held in collections including London's Tate Modern and Los Angeles' Hammer Museum. The duo discusses parallels between dance and painting, with Hayward offering her take on technology's role in performance: 'In a world of AI, you can't replace real life performance.' Katz, meanwhile, speaks to artistic risk-taking: 'It's important to risk my own story to get at something that goes beyond it.' The season continues with New Yorker writer Lauren Collins joining performance art duo Gerard & Kelly to explore dance language and the legacy of Americans on the French Riviera. Gerard & Kelly reflect on artistic evolution, suggesting that 'maybe that's how art moves forward, in the blind spots,' while Collins observes that 'somehow we always tell our own story through our work.' Michelin-starred chef Mauro Colagreco, who is also a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, connects with Paris-based artist Matthew Lutz-Kinoy in episode four. The conversation centers on creative ecology, with both artists drawing from their French surroundings while maintaining connections to their respective Argentine and international backgrounds. The season concludes with American artist Adam Pendleton in conversation with Peel herself, examining how technology will shape art's future. Pendleton, whose work was recently acquired by MoMA and featured at the Hirshhorn, also discusses his passion project preserving Nina Simone's childhood home. Chanel Connects is produced as part of the Chanel Culture Fund, which supports a network of creators and innovators through various programs including Art Partners, the Chanel Next Prize, and partnerships with institutions from CalArts to the Venice Biennale. The podcast amplifies voices across disciplines and generations, tackling contemporary cultural issues while honoring Chanel's century-long commitment to the arts. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples Oscars 2026: George Clooney, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Wagner Moura and More Among Early Contenders to Watch
