What Lupita Nyong’o’s Fibroid Story Reveals About Hormones, Weight & Women’s Health

On The TODAY Show, Academy Award‑winning actress Lupita Nyong’o shared something deeply personal and necessary. In a candid conversation about women’s health, she revealed that 12 years after having fibroid surgery, the non‑cancerous growths have returned with 50 in total— double the number of fibroids than before — and once again she has been offered the same limited choices: Invasive surgery (Myomectomy) or live with the pain.

Her message was clear and powerful:

“The first thing I’ll say is, seek a second opinion and don’t accept a hysterectomy as the first resort for fibroids.’

During the interview, Nyong’o shared the full scope of her experience, describing symptoms that many women silently endure: “heavy bleeding, pelvic pain among other symptoms.” When she first learned she had fibroids, she asked her doctor what caused them. “He didn’t really have an answer,” she recalled. Seeking guidance on treatment, she was told bluntly: “All I was offered was surgery or live with the pain.” She chose surgery at the time, and when she asked what she could do to ensure they wouldn’t come back, she was told: “It’s only a matter of time.”

To her dismay, Nyong’o revealed:

“12 years later, I have fibroids again, I have doubled the amount of fibroids, and I’m still being offered the same options; surgery or live with the pain.”

She pointed out that if the majority of women are going through this, surely there should be more options — a sentiment I deeply relate to.

The Health Message Lupita’s Story Highlights

Just because a condition is common doesn’t mean it should be dismissed as normal

Fibroids affect an estimated 70–80% of women by age 50, with around 15 million women in the U.S. living with symptoms at any given time. They are especially prevalent and often more severe in Black women (NHS UK).

I share my own fibroid story in this blog post (LINK)

Common symptoms include:

Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
Pelvic pain or pressure
Frequent urination
Pain during intercourse
Fertility challenges

Doctors often compare fibroid size to fruit — a grape, an orange. Nyong’o revealed her largest was the size of an orange. It’s a vivid way to understand the physical burden many women carry.

2. Medical intervention alone is often management, not a cure.

Surgery addresses the fibroids you have now, but it doesn’t necessarily change the environment in which they grow. Hysterectomy — the complete removal of the uterus — is frequently recommended, especially for women with severe symptoms. While sometimes medically necessary, it is an irreversible and life-altering procedure.

Nyong’o urges women to seek second opinions and not accept hysterectomy as the first-line treatment without exploring alternatives.

Here’s why her stance resonates medically:

Fibroids are oestrogen- and progesterone-sensitive growths. Surgery removes existing fibroids, but it does not necessarily change the internal environment that allowed them to grow.

That environment can be influenced by (Mayo Clinic):

Hormonal imbalance
Chronic inflammation
Elevated oestrogen exposure
Insulin resistance
Obesity
Chronic stress

Medical intervention can remove fibroids.

But lifestyle and environmental factors influence whether new ones develop.

3. Lifestyle factors matter

Research suggests several supportive strategies alongside medical care:

1. Weight management

Excess body fat increases oestrogen production. Losing weight, when appropriate, may help regulate hormonal balance.

2. Anti-inflammatory diet

A diet rich in leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli), berries, whole grains, and omega-3 rich foods may help reduce inflammation. Limiting red meat and ultra-processed foods is recommended.

If you’re trying to balance hormones, reduce inflammation and lose weight in a sustainable way, my AfroGirlFitness Meal Plan was created with our bodies in mind- flavourful, culturally familiar meals that support fat loss and whole-body health.

3. Regular exercise

Improves insulin sensitivity and supports hormonal balance. a mix of cardio and strength training is ideal. g

4. Vitamin D optimisation

Low Vitamin D levels have been linked to fibroid growth. Common foods that are naturally high in vitamin D include oily fish like salmon, mackerel and sardines, egg yolks, liver, and fortified foods such as breakfast cereals, plant milks and dairy products. Getting out in the sun is important and supplementation under medical guidance may help.

5. Stress reduction

Chronic stress elevates cortisol, which can indirectly disrupt hormonal pathways.

So much of what we need isn’t new; it’s ancestral. In African Wellness Secrets, I explore traditional foods, movement, sunlight, rest and community practices that supported hormone health long before modern diet culture existed.

4. Speaking up is powerful and healing.

Strength doesn’t require us to sit in silence and deal with pain alone. In fact I would say it’s the opposite. Self- advocacy is strength and it’s a first step towards reclaiming agency over our health outcomes. Whether that be sharing in an online forum, publicly on social media, with family and friends or seeking medical advice, you just never know where you help will come from. the old adage holds true here: A problem shared is a problem halved. By sharing her story and founding the Make Fibroids Count Campaign, Nyong’o is not only raising funds for research into less invasive treatments, but also challenging the culture of shame surrounding reproductive health. Nyong’o described feeling ashamed, wondering, “What did I do to cause them?” She felt alone and fearful for her reproductive future.

Fibroids can impact fertility. For many women, womb health is deeply tied to identity, femininity, and societal expectations around motherhood. When that feels threatened, stress rises.

And stress matters (Fibroid Institute).

Chronic stress:

Alters hormonal balance
Increases systemic inflammation
Can worsen menstrual symptoms
May contribute indirectly to fibroid persistence

When women carry both the physical burden and emotional shame, the internal environment becomes even more strained. Speaking up breaks that cycle.

6. Routine check-ups are critical.

Fibroids can be asymptomatic or slowly progressive. I would strongly advise women with a family history, heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, or other symptoms to get timely medical evaluations (The Fibroid Foundation). You can only act on what you know. Early awareness allows you to take proactive steps with lifestyle adjustments like improving your nutrition, losing weight if required, regular exercise, and supplementing as needed in order to support hormonal and reproductive health before symptoms get worse and your options become limited to invasive surgery.

7. Surgery isn’t the only option, and it doesn’t have to be the first.

Today, there are less invasive treatments (NHS UK) that can shrink fibroids, reduce symptoms, and often preserve fertility:

1. Laparoscopic (Keyhole) Myomectomy

Best for: One or a few fibroids, usually smaller than 10 cm, that are accessible via laparoscopy.

Limitations: Very large fibroids, multiple fibroids in tricky locations (e.g., deeply embedded in the uterine wall or near blood vessels) may require open surgery instead.

2. Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

Best for: Multiple fibroids of varying sizes; can treat large fibroids, but extremely large ones may require staged procedures or follow-up.

Limitations: Not always ideal if fertility preservation is a top priority, since UFE may affect the uterine lining or blood flow to the endometrium.

3. MRI-Guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS)

Best for: Small to medium-sized fibroids (generally less than 10 cm) that are well-separated and not too deep in the uterus.

Limitations: Not suitable for very large, multiple, or calcified fibroids; location near sensitive structures (like bowel or bladder) may limit use.

These options aren’t offered everywhere yet, which is part of why campaigns like Make Fibroids Count are so important to raise awareness, funding, and research into less-invasive treatments.

If surgery has been presented as your only choice, it’s worth asking your doctor about these alternatives or seeking a second opinion. You have the right to explore all options before making a decision about your body.

Nyong’o’s message isn’t anti-surgery. It’s really about pro-choice and giving women enough information so that they can make an Informed choice.

It’s a call for more research.
More nuanced treatment plans.
More respect for women’s lived experiences.
More emphasis on prevention, lifestyle, and whole-body health- not just crisis management when things get unbearable. The epidemic of hacking women’s uterus’ out in the name of health care is one we need to talk about.

And when the majority of women are experiencing something debilitating, the answer cannot be silent endurance.

If this resonates with you, I share my full fibroid journey — from diagnosis during pregnancy to navigating fear, recovery and lifestyle changes; in My Fibroid Story.