Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has opened up about a private and painful battle she has quietly managed for over a decade. In a heartfelt revelation shared with her fans, the Kenyan star disclosed that she was diagnosed with uterine fibroids in 2014, the same year she won her Academy Award for 12 Years a Slave.
At the time, Lupita was celebrating a career-defining moment, but behind the scenes, she was undergoing surgery to remove 30 fibroids from her uterus. The diagnosis and operation marked the beginning of a lifelong journey of managing a condition that affects millions of women, particularly Black women. Despite her global fame, Lupita chose to keep the ordeal private—until now.
In a post dated July 15, the actress recalled the moment she asked her doctor if there was a way to stop the fibroids from coming back. The answer was devastating: there wasn’t. “It’s only a matter of time until they grow again,” she was told.
Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that can be as small as a pea or as large as a melon. They often cause heavy menstrual bleeding, anaemia, pelvic pain, frequent urination, and in some cases, complications during pregnancy. Lupita explained that the symptoms can be debilitating, yet the condition remains widely misunderstood or ignored.
Now, using her platform, Lupita is determined to change that. “This Fibroid Awareness Month and beyond, I hope my experience will resonate with anyone else who has ever felt dismissed, confused or alone,” she wrote. “And I hope to seek answers for the far too many women dealing with uterine fibroids. We deserve better. It’s time to demand it. Silence serves no one.”
As part of her advocacy, Lupita has joined forces with congresswomen and senators in Washington, DC, to support a series of bills aimed at addressing the issue. These proposed laws would boost funding for research, increase early detection efforts, study links to uterine cancer, and raise public awareness about fibroids. She also announced the launch of a uterine fibroid research grant that will support the development of minimally or non-invasive treatment options.
Lupita’s courage in sharing her story has resonated with many women worldwide. Her comments have sparked a wave of testimonials from women who have endured similar experiences, many of whom applauded her transparency.
In a separate but equally personal revelation, Lupita recently shared her emotional journey of losing her Kenyan accent while studying and working in the U.S. The transformation, she said, was driven by industry pressure to adapt. Over time, she began to feel disconnected from her identity, and the struggle to reclaim her original accent became symbolic of her efforts to stay grounded.
Through her openness, Lupita Nyong’o continues to inspire—not just as an actress, but as a woman using her voice to champion the voiceless. Her message is clear: women’s health deserves attention, funding, and respect.
