Oscar-winning actress and author Lupita Nyong’o has transformed a deeply personal health challenge into a call for medical innovation, revealing that her battle with uterine fibroids has resurfaced more than a decade after her first major surgery.

In a candid interview with journalist, Nyong’o disclosed that the non-cancerous growths composed of muscle and fibrous tissue have returned aggressively, prompting her to advocate for improved and less invasive treatment options for women worldwide.

For years, Nyong’o believed her severe menstrual symptoms were simply part of being a woman. Raised in a conservative environment where monthly pain was normalized, she said she did not initially recognize the seriousness of her condition. Heavy bleeding and clotting failed to trigger alarm because she had been taught to expect discomfort as routine.

Her diagnosis came in 2014, the same year she won the Academy Award. A routine gynecological check-up led to an ultrasound that revealed 30 uterine fibroids. The discovery marked a turning point in her health journey.

To address chronic fatigue and pelvic pain, Nyong’o underwent a myomectomy, a surgical procedure that removes fibroids while preserving the uterus. The surgery brought temporary relief. However, 12 years later, the condition has returned with greater intensity. She now faces more than 50 new fibroids, once again causing significant discomfort.

Confronted with the same limited options living with pain or undergoing another invasive operation Nyong’o decided to push for systemic change. In partnership with the Foundation for Women’s Health, she has launched a research grant aimed at accelerating the development of minimally invasive and non-invasive treatments.

The initiative seeks to break the cycle of repeated surgeries that many women endure and instead promote long-term, sustainable solutions in reproductive healthcare.

Nyong’o said taking part in advancing research has been empowering, emphasizing that women deserve better medical options than a lifetime of recurring operations. Her advocacy brings renewed attention to uterine fibroids, a condition affecting millions globally but often overlooked in mainstream health discussions.