Latest news with #uterinefibroids
Yahoo
12 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.'
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Lupita Nyong'o reveals uterine fibroid battle
The Oscar winner shared details of her longtime struggle with the chronic condition in a candid Instagram post, and explained she learned of her diagnosis more than a decade ago. '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'.' Lupita went on to explain that fibroids are "non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus" but that while they might be far from rare…
The Independent
18 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.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Lupita Nyong'o Revealed She Has Painful Uterine Fibroids. Here's What That Means.
Actress Luptia Nyong'o shared on Instagram that the same year she won an Academy Award for her role in '12 Years A Slave' (2014)she was also diagnosed with chronic uterine fibroids, a common yet understudied medical issue in women — and particularly, Black women. In the Instagram post, Nyong'o said she had 30 fibroids removed only to be told there is nothing she can do to keep them from coming back. Her post is part of a campaign to raise awareness for uterine fibroids, support research funding and push forward Congressional bills. Nyong'o shared this news as a way to break the 'silent suffering' that's forced on women. And while Nyong'o is a well-known person dealing with the often-painful condition, millions of other women deal with it, too. Both in silence and at endless doctor's appointments. For instance, Tanika Gray Valbrun started experiencing extremely heavy periods early in her teen years. 'I was that girl who always had to carry pads with her, felt like I was always on my period, had to wear two panties and biker shorts, always had an extra bag with me,' she told HuffPost. In addition to the heavy bleeding, Valbrun also experienced painful periods, her abdomen protruded and she felt a constant need to use the bathroom. It wasn't until she was about 25 that she received a diagnosis: uterine fibroids. Many doctors appointments and treatments followed, and though she is still on this medical journey, the source of her issues is no longer a mystery. Although fibroids are quite common, they remain relatively unknown or misunderstood for many. 'Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that grow from smooth muscle cells, so they're often found in the uterus,' said Dr. Sawsan As-Sanie, an associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan Medical School. 'They can be in the lining of the uterus, the wall of the uterus or on the surface.' Also called leiomyomas or myomas, fibroids vary in shape, size and number. Some grow slowly over many years while others might remain the same size for a long time and then start to grow rapidly. 'Looking back, I think about how many times I had accommodated my life for fibroids,' Valbrun said. 'I was always strategizing what to bring or how to dress because I would be bleeding. I never wore white clothing, even though I love whites and light colors.' Below, experts break down the facts and misconceptions around uterine fibroids. Who is most likely to have fibroids? 'Fibroids are highly prevalent, and they become more common as patients get older,' As-Sanie noted. The National Institutes of Health estimates that up to 70% of white women and 80% to 90% of Black women will develop fibroids by the age of 50. 'Really, anyone with a uterus can experience uterine fibroids, but they disproportionately impact Black women at a higher rate,' Valbrun said. 'Black women are more likely to experience them, and their fibroids are more likely to occur when they're younger, grow more quickly and cause more symptoms.' Age is a big risk factor with fibroids, as their prevalence increases as patients grow older and then declines in post-menopausal women. Although fibroids are most common in women ages 30 to 40 and in Black women, As-Sanie said that she sees them in patients of all ages, races and ethnicities. 'Mine started in my teenage years, so it's not just an issue for women in their childbearing years,' Valbrun added. 'And even though race is a risk factor, it's not just a Black woman's disease ― just like endometriosis is not just a white woman's thing.' There are genetic factors as well. A family history of fibroids is associated with a three times greater risk of developing fibroids compared with women without that history, As-Sanie explained. She noted that obesity and nulliparous (the medical term for having never given birth) can also be factors. What are the symptoms? Despite their prevalence, fibroids don't cause symptoms in the majority of people who have them. 'Only about a quarter of women who have uterine fibroids have symptoms that are bothersome enough that they end up needing intervention,' As-Sanie said. The most common symptoms are related to menstruation, such as heavy bleeding and pelvic pain. 'Any amount of bleeding that interferes with quality of life deserves an evaluation,' As-Sanie noted. 'We tell patients if they're soaking through a pad or tampon more frequently than every one to two hours, that should warrant evaluation. That amount can lead to anemia, low blood counts.' Valbrun said that she's had to have at least five blood transfusions over the years to address her severe anemia. 'I was always craving ice and soap, so much that I would be constantly trying to smell them,' she recalled. 'My doctor told me it's called pica, and it's what happens when your body is deficient in iron.' In addition to menstrual pain, fibroids can also cause pain during sex and at random times. As Valbrun reported, they may lead to swelling in the uterus and abdomen as well. 'Patients can also have what we call 'bulk symptoms' ― pressure from fibroids if they get large enough, feelings of bloating, urinary frequency and urgency, and even constipation or other bowel issues,' As-Sanie said. 'Fibroids are also associated with pregnancy-related complications like miscarriage and infertility.' How are fibroids diagnosed? 'In terms of diagnosis, fibroids are generally diagnosed or at least suspected during a pelvic exam,' As-Sanie said, noting that the uterus often feels enlarged. If fibroids are suspected, then the next step usually involves imaging, commonly with a pelvic ultrasound ― though tests including sonohysterography, hysteroscopy, hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy can also offer information. 'Some patients come in reporting symptoms, but for others it might be diagnosed during a routine exam,' As-Sanie noted. 'They may have had no clinical symptoms. Or if they're having trouble becoming pregnant, fibroids may be discovered as they look into their fertility problems.' What is the treatment for fibroids? If you're diagnosed with uterine fibroids, the next steps depend on your symptoms. You might not need treatment if your fibroids are small and aren't causing symptoms or if you're nearing menopause. 'If someone's not having symptoms, we typically just survey them over time,' As-Sanie said. 'They should get regular checkups to monitor for development of symptoms if they're not having them. Often we'll get repeat imaging every year or couple years to monitor for fibroid growth.' For patients with symptoms, it's important to examine the symptoms they're having and what their goals are. 'With heavy bleeding, this can often be managed with medications ― like hormonal birth control pills, progestin-only birth control methods, other pills and injections,' As-Sanie said. Although those methods are effective for many patients, they don't work for others. And over time other interventions might become necessary. Myomectomy is the surgical removal of fibroids, and uterine artery embolization (sometimes called uterine fibroid embolization) is a less-invasive procedure that involves injecting tiny particles into the blood vessels to stop blood flow to the fibroids and cause them to shrink. 'There are also different types of ablations where you can use forms of energy to basically burn them away or make them smaller,' Valbrun said. She added that the recovery process after fibroid-related procedures can be lengthy, noting that it took her about eight weeks to recovery from her myomectomy. Some fibroids are too small to be removed, and even after you've had fibroids removed or shrunk, there's always a possibility of regrowth or new ones appearing. And some patients have so many fibroids that it wouldn't be feasible to remove all of them. As a result, the only total cure is hysterectomy. 'The choice of what treatment is appropriate in patients very much depends on both a combination of things, like their age and desire to preserve fertility, as well as fibroid size and location,' As-Sanie said. 'Hysterectomy is generally considered a last resort when other things haven't worked, but it is considered curative and it's quite common in the U.S. And uterine fibroids and abnormal bleeding are the most common non-cancerous reasons that women have hysterectomies.' What should you do if you suspect fibroids? 'Any symptoms of heavy bleeding and/or pelvic pain that are bothersome enough that they're interfering with your quality of life warrant evaluation,' As-Sanie said. 'There's no amount of bleeding or pain we would say is automatically 'normal.' If you're not able to work as effectively or enjoy your life, that is by definition considered abnormal and deserves evaluation.' Fibroids are relatively common, but they're also just one of many potential causes for increased levels of pain and bleeding. It's important to see a medical professional to help figure out what might be at the root of your problems and determine the best course of treatment. Many experience pregnancy complications or infertility related to fibroids, but medical interventions can help. So if you're hoping to give birth someday, know that fibroids don't necessarily prevent that. 'For many women who have fibroids but no symptoms, we don't automatically recommend treatment in order to get pregnant or have a successful or healthy pregnancy,' As-Sanie said. 'The relationship between fibroids and fertility and pregnancy is complicated, but there are many women who have fibroids ― even fibroids that cause symptoms ― that can become pregnant and carry a healthy pregnancy without needing intervention.' And remember that there's nothing shameful about fibroids or any other gynecological issue. 'Patients often feel like it's embarrassing, and their families ― or even physicians they've seen ― have dismissed or minimized their pain as being a normal part of a woman's experience,' As-Sanie said. 'This is unfair and unhelpful to women.' She urged patients and medical providers to help break down the stigma around menstrual disorders. 'We need to improve awareness and diagnosis, as well as reduce the bias and stigma by talking about pain and bleeding so that young girls and women don't dismiss it as normal or think it's too shameful to talk about,' As-Sanie emphasized. 'That way they can get earlier diagnoses and treatments.' What else should people know about uterine fibroids? Valbrun is dedicated to raising awareness and clearing up misconceptions about uterine fibroids. In 2014, she launched The White Dress Project to spread the word, increase funding for medical research and offer support to other people who are living with fibroids. 'I want to make people feel like they are not alone,' she said. 'And I wanted the support for myself because I never saw any organized walks or runs or people asking me to buy a T-shirt about fibroid awareness. It feels very lonely to feel like you're the only one on the bathroom floor in the fetal position. You're the only one canceling on your girlfriends, the only one not spending the night at a guy's house even though you want to.' The name stems from her desire to reclaim the color white as a symbol of hope and empower herself and others to feel comfortable wearing white ― or to do it anyway in an act of rebellion against the limits fibroids can impose. The White Dress Project hosts community events, offers educational resources, supports research and advocates for policy in support of fibroid awareness. Michigan state Rep. Kyra Harris Bolden (D) has also gotten involved in advocacy after being diagnosed with fibroids in 2020 and undergoing a myomectomy. 'It took me seven weeks to get back to what I felt was 100%, but ever since then, I've been on this quest to just bring more awareness to fibroids,' she told HuffPost. 'After I shared my story on the House floor during Uterine Fibroid Awareness Month, I got an outpouring of messages from women sharing their fibroid experience and how horrific it had been.' Bolden has also partnered with organizations to spread awareness, worked on legislation and even helped get funding allocated for fibroid research in the Michigan state budget. 'This condition affects so many women but isn't widely talked about,' she said. 'If I had known it was so common, I probably wouldn't have waited until my condition got so bad to seek treatment and could've had a less invasive surgery.' Valbrun also wants to spread the word about the different treatment options for fibroids. 'A lot of times, hysterectomy is the only option offered for women to deal with fibroids,' she said. 'Black women are more likely to be offered hysterectomy. I was told to have a hysterectomy when I was 26 and use a surrogate if I wanted children, and it was really disheartening. Fortunately, I found another doctor who told me about my other options.' Of course, many patients are great candidates for a hysterectomy, especially if they are done having children or don't want to give birth, but Valbrun wants to make sure people feel informed and empowered about this decision rather than pressured. 'Remember that you are powerful and have a say,' she said. 'Nobody knows your body like you do.' Related... 9 Red Flags You May Have PCOS, According To Experts Are 'Dropsies' During Your Period A Real Thing? 4 Signs Your Period Pain Isn't Normal
Daily Mail
a day 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.
