Lupita Nyong’o reveals she has lived with 77 Uterine Fibroids, launches campaign to raise awareness

The Kenyan-Mexican star shared the deeply personal revelation while marking her 43rd birthday, opening up in a candid Instagram post about her long battle with the condition. According to Nyong’o, 25 fibroids have been surgically removed, while more than 50 remain, with the largest roughly the size of an orange.

“This is not a rare story,” the actress wrote. “It is just a rarely told one.”

Lupita Nyong’o’s Fibroid Diagnosis

Image: Buzzfeed

Nyong’o was first diagnosed with uterine fibroids in 2014, the same year she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in 12 Years a Slave. Behind the historic moment, the actress says she was already dealing with the painful symptoms associated with fibroids, including heavy menstrual bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, and emotional stress.

In the now-viral post, Nyong’o shared a powerful image of herself holding a tray filled with fruit—each representing a fibroid she has experienced. She described enduring “seasons of constant pain,” a reality that resonated with thousands of women who later shared their own stories.

What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Image: Responsum Health

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous tumors that grow in or around the uterus. While benign, they can cause serious health issues such as severe menstrual bleeding, pelvic pressure, infertility complications, and chronic pain.

Research shows fibroids are extremely common. Studies indicate that up to 80% of Black women and 70% of white women develop fibroids before the age of 50, making them one of the most widespread reproductive health conditions affecting women worldwide. Despite their prevalence, experts say fibroids remain under-researched and often overlooked in medical conversations.

#MakeFibroidsCount Campaign Expands

Image: Fibroid Fighters

Nyong’o is now pushing for change through her #MakeFibroidsCount campaign, which focuses on fibroid awareness, research funding, and better treatment options for women.

In July 2025, she partnered with the Foundation for Women's Health to launch a uterine fibroid research grant aimed at developing minimally invasive and non-invasive treatment options, since surgery remains the most common solution and fibroids can return after removal.

Fibroids cost the U.S. healthcare system more than $6 billion annually, yet advocates say funding for research still lags behind the scale of the problem.

“Uterine fibroids have shaped the health experiences of far too many women—silently, painfully, and invisibly,” Nyong’o said. “It’s time we start talking about them.”