Lupita Nyong'o Champions Uterine Health Reform Following Fibroid Diagnosis

Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o recently revealed her personal journey with uterine fibroids, prompting her to advocate for legislative action on Capitol Hill. In a Tuesday Instagram post, she shared that in 2014, the same year she earned an Oscar for "12 Years a Slave," she discovered she had 30 fibroids and subsequently underwent surgical removal. Nyong’o noted the importance of speaking up, stating, “Many women experience this alone. We shouldn’t suffer silently!” Uterine fibroids, which are benign tumors, can lead to significant discomfort, including heavy bleeding and abdominal pain. Research indicates that Black women are disproportionately affected, facing a threefold higher risk than their white counterparts. This July, designated Fibroid Awareness Month, Nyong’o collaborated with Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke to introduce a comprehensive legislative package aimed at improving uterine health, promising research funding and enhanced public awareness. Furthermore, she announced the launch of the FWH x Lupita Nyong’o Uterine Fibroid Grant, supporting pivotal medical research initiatives.