WASHINGTON D.C., United States — Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has bravely shared her personal journey following a diagnosis of uterine fibroids, shedding light on a condition that affects millions of women globally.
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths composed of muscle and fibrous tissue that develop in or on the uterus, most commonly during a woman’s reproductive years, particularly between ages 30 and 50.
On her Instagram page, Nyong’o disclosed that in 2014, the same year she achieved an Academy Award for her role in “12 Years a Slave,” she discovered she had 30 uterine fibroids. She subsequently underwent surgery to have them removed.
Reflecting on her experience, she noted the pervasive silence surrounding the condition: “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 most of us. No more suffering in silence!”
With July recognized as Fibroid Awareness Month, the star of “The 355” emphasized her motivation for speaking out about uterine fibroids. She hopes her personal account will “resonate with anyone else who has ever felt dismissed, confused or alone.”
Nyong’o further underscored the urgent need for answers and better solutions: “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!”
In a significant step, on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, Lupita Nyong’o joined Representatives Shontel Brown and Robin Kelly, alongside Senators in Washington D.C., to introduce a comprehensive package of uterine fibroid Congressional bills.
According to the actress, these legislative proposals aim to expand critical research funding, enhance early detection and intervention strategies for uterine fibroids, facilitate studies into the causes of uterine cancer, and significantly increase public awareness surrounding these conditions.
Also Read: Surge in undescended testis cases among children in Nyandarua and Laikipia, doctors warn
Further demonstrating her commitment to this cause, Nyong’o also announced the launch of the FWH x Lupita Nyong’o Uterine Fibroid Research Grant, established in partnership with the Foundation for Women’s Health.
“In partnership with the Foundation for Women’s Health, I’m launching the FWH x Lupita Nyong’o Uterine Fibroid Research Grant,” she confirmed.
“The Foundation for Women’s Health 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,” she concluded, highlighting the broad impact she hopes to achieve through this initiative.
