5 alarming truths about uterine fibroids after Lupita Nyong’o’s disclosure

Hollywood superstar Lupita Nyong’o shocked fans on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, after revealing she secretly battled uterine fibroids, undergoing surgery to remove 30 growths shortly after her Oscar win in 2014.

The Black Panther star’s heartfelt confession, made during Fibroid Awareness Month, has shed a blinding spotlight on a condition affecting millions of women, yet still largely shrouded in silence.

“We deserve so much better,” Lupita wrote, calling for an end to the normalisation of female pain.

Now, in light of her bold disclosure, here are five alarming truths about uterine fibroids that every woman and man should know:

1. Fibroids are very common

According to research conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the US, up to 80% of Black women and 70% of white women will develop fibroids by the age of 50.

Yet, many women don’t even know they have them until the symptoms become unbearable or a scan finally confirms what doctors may have dismissed as normal cramps.

2. Fibroids can really big

Lupita had 30 fibroids removed and that’s not unusual. Some women have just one, others have dozens.

According to The Lancet, these non-cancerous growths can range from the size of a pea to a melon, sometimes expanding the uterus to resemble a second-trimester pregnancy. Yes, that large.

3. Pain is normalised

Despite intense cramping, heavy bleeding, and anaemia, many women are usually told to tough it out.

Studies show that women’s pain, especially menstrual pain, is frequently dismissed by health professionals.

A 2012 International Journal of Gynaecology study found that many women endure symptoms for years before getting a proper diagnosis or treatment.

4. Surgery not final solution

Fibroids can be removed, but they often grow back.

According to the NIH Office on Women’s Health, recurrence is common even after surgery. Some women go through multiple procedures, including hysterectomies, especially when fibroids affect fertility or quality of life.

5. Silence hurts more

Despite how common fibroids are, they’re still shrouded in silence.

A 2012 study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology found that despite fibroids affecting many women, awareness remains painfully low.

Lupita’s voice joins a growing chorus of women who are raising awareness about fibroids, fighting stigma and silence.

What are Uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas or myomas, are non-cancerous growths that form in or on the uterus. They’re made of smooth muscle and connective tissue and vary in size from a pea to a melon [sic].

There are at least four types of fibroids:

1. Intramural: within the uterine wall

2. Subserosal: on the outside surface of the uterus

3. Submucosal: under the uterine lining (often causing heavy bleeding)

4. Pedunculated: attached by a stalk

While some women never experience symptoms, others may suffer extreme discomfort, including:

1. Heavy periods

2. Pelvic pain or pressure

3. Frequent urination

4. Pain during sex

5. Fertility challenges

Diagnosis typically involves a pelvic exam or ultrasound, and treatment ranges from hormonal medication to surgery, depending on severity and desire for future fertility.

Lupita, who learned she had fibroids at the height of her Hollywood breakthrough, is now using her platform to raise awareness.

Her bold decision to share her story has resonated with thousands of women who know the pain all too well, and signals a much-needed cultural shift toward dignity and awareness in women’s health.

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