‘Have surgery or live with pain’ – Lupita Nyong’o shares her 12-year fibroids struggle
By Valerian Khakayi, March 24, 2026Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o has yet again opened up about a deeply personal health journey, revealing a 12-year battle with fibroids that began at the height of her career.
Speaking candidly on Monday night, March 23, 2026, Lupita recalled that back in 2014, the same year she won an Academy Award, her life was filled with extraordinary highs. But behind the scenes, she was quietly dealing with a difficult diagnosis that would shape her life for years to come.
She says while celebrating one of the biggest achievements in her career, she was simultaneously facing challenges with her reproductive health.
The Hollywood actress added that despite the private struggle, she still had to step onto red carpets, smiling in front of cameras while dealing with pain and uncertainty.
“Back in 2014, that was the year I won the Academy Awards. “It was a monumental year for me with a lot of highs, but I also got diagnosed with fibroids, I was experiencing challenges in my private life with my reproductive health, and awkwardly, I had to be on the red carpet and smiling,” Lupita recalled.
At the time of her diagnosis, Lupita admits she knew very little about fibroids.
She added that while searching for answers, she consulted her doctor, but was faced with a harsh reality.
In addition, Lupita stated that she was told that there was little clarity on what actually causes fibroids, and when it came to treatment, the choices were limited: either have surgery or endure the pain.
“I did not know much about fibroids, and when I asked my doctor what caused them, I was surprised to know that they did have an answer, and when I asked what I could do about them, they offered two options, surgery or living with pain at the time, I chose surgery,” she added.
Undergoing surgery
Lupita underwent a myomectomy, a procedure to remove fibroids, during which 23 growths were taken out.
Hoping for a long-term solution, she asked what she could do to prevent them from returning. The response was discouraging; there was little she could do. It was only a matter of time before the fibroids came back.
“I had myomectomy surgery, and 23 fibroids were removed back then. When I asked what I could do so that they cannot come back, the doctor said there is not much one can do; it is just a matter of time until these fibroids come back,” Lupita stated.
Struggles with fibroids
Ten years after her initial surgery, Lupita discovered that her fibroids had returned, this time more aggressively.
“Ten years later, I learned that my fibroids were back and they had doubled; now I have over 50, and now that my numbers have changed, the options I was offered have not. I was told to live with the pain or get the surgery again,” she disclosed.
Reflecting on her journey, Lupita highlights a troubling reality many women face. In the 12 years since her diagnosis, treatment options for fibroids have remained largely the same.
“In the 12 years since I was diagnosed with fibroids, my treatment options have essentially remained the same: have invasive surgery or live with the pain,” she stated.