American broadcaster and journalist Hoda Kotb sat down with Lupita Nyong’o to discuss her struggle with fibroids on the Today Show.
“Lupita, this is something you had many years ago, and you’ve decided to advocate for it. Why?” Kotb asked.
“Back in 2014, I won an Academy Award, and in that same year, I was diagnosed with fibroids. So, I was experiencing this high high and this low low at exactly the same time. I had heavy bleeding and pelvic pain, among other symptoms,” started Nyong’o.
“… all I was offered was surgery or live with the pain,” continued the 12 Years a Slave actor.
“I chose surgery at the time, and then I asked what I could do to make sure they don’t come back? And he said: ‘It’s only a matter of time’. And then I learnt that 80% of women have fibroids by the age of 50.”
“So now 12 years later, I have fibroids again, I have double the amount of fibroids. And I’m still offered the same options: surgery or live with the pain. And if the majority of women are living through this, surely, we should have more options,” Nyong’o said.
“I mean, it just reminds you that we need so much more emphasis on women’s health because a lot of the time that funding is taken away, but I think it is a very important topic… and this affects fertility for a lot of women,” Kotb said.
“It does… I felt shame. What did I do to cause them? And then I felt very alone and quite scared for my reproductive health. I also learnt that a lot of women get recommended a hysterectomy… which is extreme,” responds Nyong’o.
How Lupita Nyong’o is doing now
“So, what have you learnt? It’s 12 years later, and we’re sitting at this point. So, what advice do you have for women going through it?” Kotb asked.
“Well, the first thing I would say is seek a second opinion, and don’t accept a hysterectomy as the first resort. And that’s why we’re trying to raise money for less invasive and non-invasive ways to treat fibroids through this Make Fibroids Count Campaign. I would also say that there’s a lot of power in speaking up. I spoke up, and the amount of support I got… hearing women say “me too” and share their stories made me feel less alone… It’s important to speak up to ensure that this is no longer trivialised, and to ensure that it’s no longer “considered normal” because it’s common,” Nyong’o said.