
Lupita Nyongâo is speaking out about a personal health journey she kept private for more than 10 years. In a candid Instagram post shared on July 15, the Oscar-winning actress revealed she underwent surgery in 2014 to remove 30 uterine fibroidsânon-cancerous tumors that often lead to pelvic pain, heavy bleeding and fertility issues. The diagnosis came the same year she won her Academy Award for “12 Years a Slaveâ.
âWhen we reach puberty, weâre taught that periods mean pain, and that pain is simply part of being a woman,â Nyongâo wrote in the post. âI hope my experience will resonate with anyone else who has ever felt dismissed, confused or alone.â
Fibroids affect millions of women, yet Nyongâo emphasized how little the condition is discussed, especially given how common it is. She stated in her post that fibroids impact 8 out of 10 Black women and 7 out of 10 white women.
âWe must reject the normalization of female pain,â she continued. âNo more suffering in silence.â
Now 42, Nyongâo is taking action beyond her personal story. She has partnered with the Foundation for Womenâs Health to create the FWH x Lupita Nyongâo Uterine Fibroid Research Grant, which will support new research into early detection, prevention, and less invasive treatment options. She also joined U.S. lawmakers on Capitol Hill this week to support new legislation for increased federal funding and improved care access.â
I envision a future with early education for teenagers, better screening protocols, robust prevention research, and less invasive treatments,â Nyongâo explained in her statement.
Public Support Pours in Following Nyongâoâs Announcement
Following her post, Nyongâo received an outpouring of support from celebrities and fans alike. Kerry Washington commented, âBrava Lupita. This is so brave and so beautiful,â while Halle Berry added, âThis is such important info to share! Thank you my friend ðð½.â Fellow entertainer Amber Ruffin also chimed in, writing, âNext time I see you, Iâll tell you a truly bonkers fibroids story!â
Comments from fans echoed the same sentiment, with one user writing, âPain is NEVER normal, and we’ve normalized women’s suffering for far too long!â Others thanked Nyongâo for bringing visibility to a topic that often goes undiscussed, especially among women of color.
Nyongâoâs Commitment to Wellness On and Off Screen
While Nyongâo hasnât publicly linked her fitness routine to her fibroid diagnosis, she has long embraced a proactive approach to wellness. In a 2022 Instagram video, the actress was seen training underwater with heavy weights while preparing for âBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverâ. âSwimming down to Talokan was not as easy as it looked!â she wrote in the caption.
The intense aquatic training was part of a six-week boot camp she completed to prepare for the filmâs stunts. Outside of the production, Nyongâo shared gym clips featuring glute bridges, dumbbell routines and more. Her day-to-day diet included lean proteins, plantains, sweet potatoes, and pineapple juice, with an emphasis on balance and whole foods, according to Womenâs Health.
Nyongâoâs dedication to both physical and mental strength mirrors the determination behind her latest advocacy work. Whether in the gym, on set, or in Washington, sheâs continuing to use her voice and her platform to prioritize women’s health.
âWe deserve better. Itâs time to demand it. Silence serves no one,â Lupita stated.
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