LOS ANGELES, February 2026 — Academy Award–winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has revealed that she is currently living with more than 50 uterine fibroids, describing the condition as a painful, recurring health battle that has left her facing the same difficult choice: undergo surgery again or continue living with chronic pain.
Speaking publicly about her diagnosis, the 42-year-old actress shared that she first had fibroids removed in 2014, the same year she won the Oscar for 12 Years a Slave. At that time, doctors removed 23 fibroids. However, two years ago, she learned that the growths had returned in far greater numbers.
She said her largest fibroid is the size of an orange, underscoring the severity of her condition.
Nyong’o explained that she has been navigating fibroids for over a decade. Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in or around the uterus and can cause significant symptoms, including pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and reproductive complications.
After her first surgery in 2014, she hoped the issue had been resolved. Instead, the fibroids returned, a reality many women with the condition experience.
Now, she says she is hesitant to undergo another invasive procedure, particularly as she considers her reproductive future. The recurrence has forced her to confront limited treatment options once again.
Beyond the physical pain, Nyong’o described the emotional toll of the diagnosis.
“I felt shame. What did I do to cause them? I felt very alone and quite scared for my reproductive health.”
She admitted that, for years, she internalized the condition, questioning whether she had somehow caused it. Only after opening up did she realize how common the issue is and how many women suffer silently.
Sharing her story publicly, she said, has been empowering. The response from other women has reinforced the importance of speaking openly about reproductive health.
Nyong’o’s disclosure has sparked renewed attention around uterine fibroids, a condition that affects millions of women but is often under-discussed.
By sharing that she now has over 50 fibroids after previously undergoing surgery to remove 23, she has highlighted the reality of recurrence and the limited long-term solutions many women face.
Her message is clear: severe pain should not be normalized, and women deserve better research, awareness, and treatment options.
Actress emphasized that she no longer wants to suffer in silence. Instead, she hopes her candor will encourage others to seek medical guidance, ask questions, and advocate for themselves.
(Rh/ARC)
