Academy Award–winning actress Lupita Nyong’o said she is living with more than 50 uterine fibroids, underscoring the prevalence of a condition that affects millions of women globally and often carries significant reproductive and economic implications.
The 42-year-old star, who was first diagnosed 11 years ago, said she previously underwent surgery to remove 23 fibroids. The tumors later returned. Speaking on Today show, Nyong’o said she was informed two years ago that the number had risen to over 50, leaving her once again weighing surgery against managing chronic pain.
“I’m being faced with the same options: surgery or live with the pain,” she said.
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop from muscular tissue in the uterus. Their size and number are influenced by estrogen levels, with cases ranging from symptomless to severely debilitating. Physicians often use fruit as reference points to describe scale, Nyong’o noted. “Your fibroid could be the size of a grape. My biggest fibroid is the size of an orange.”
Nyong’o said she is reluctant to undergo another procedure, describing it as invasive and a potential risk to her reproductive health at a time when she plans to have children. “It’s a big threat to our reproductive organs,” she said.
Symptoms of uterine fibroids can include heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure or pain, frequent urination, abdominal distention, constipation, lower back pain and pain during intercourse. Some women, however, remain asymptomatic.
Beyond the physical toll, Nyong’o described the emotional impact of her diagnosis, including feelings of shame and isolation. “What did I do to cause them? I felt very alone and quite scared for my reproductive health,” she said, adding that speaking publicly has connected her with other women confronting similar conditions.
“There’s a lot of power in speaking up,” she said.
Nyong’o has previously addressed issues of abuse and accountability in Hollywood. In 2020, she spoke publicly about her encounter with former producer Harvey Weinstein, who is incarcerated at Rikers Island following convictions for sex crimes.
She said that sharing her experience at the time drew widespread support from women who came forward with their own accounts. That response, she said, reinforced her belief in collective advocacy — a stance she now extends to raising awareness about women’s reproductive health.
“I spoke up and the amount of support I got hearing women say ‘me too’ and share their stories made me feel less alone,” Nyong’o said. “It’s honestly what has bolstered me to do the work that I do now.”
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