Black Panther’s Lupita Nyong’o Shares Her Painful Experience With Uterine Fibroids: Exploring Its Causes

Lupita On Her Experience With Uterine Fibroids

 

 

 

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A post shared by Lupita Nyong'o (@lupitanyongo)

 

Lupita Nyong'o shared an emotional post on Instagram where she openly discussed her painful experience with uterine fibroids. She disclosed, "I had 30 fibroids and had surgery to have them removed in 2014, the same year that I took home the Oscar. I asked my doctor if there was anything I could do to prevent them from growing back. She said, 'No, it's only a matter of time.'"

Lupita documented how, for years, she had kept her pain hidden. She spoke about how young girls are usually informed that pain during menstruation is natural. Her account soon generated thousands of comments, which exposed just how many women silently suffer from the same health issues.

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What Are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine fibroids are benign growths that develop in or on the uterus. According to Dr Manjula S. Patil, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Bangalore, fibroids are slow-growing tumours found in women of reproductive age. Most women have them but remain unaware until the fibroids become symptomatic, with the exception of an annual follow-up scan, which is required. 

They vary in size from small seeds to huge masses. Symptoms include heavy bleeding, pelvic pressure or pain, frequent urination, and painful sex. In a few instances, fibroids can impact pregnancy or fertility.

What Causes Uterine Fibroids?

Physicians continue to learn about the specific reasons why uterine fibroids develop. Yet, a number of factors seem to come into play:

• Hormones: Two important hormones in women's bodies are estrogen and progesterone, which aid the development of fibroids. Fibroids tend to develop in the childbearing years when there is greater production of these hormones.
• Genetics: Fibroids may run in families. If the woman's mother or sister had fibroids, she has a greater risk.
• Race: Black women have a higher chance of having fibroids than women in other groups and tend to have more extreme symptoms.
• Age: Fibroids are most prevalent in women between 30 and 50 years old, but younger women also contract them.
• Other Factors: Obesity, diet, and early menstruation may also have an effect on risk.

Even with research, there is still no surefire method to prevent fibroids. Most develop slowly, but some have the capacity to grow very fast.

Lupita's Advocacy and Alarm for Understanding and Change

The Black Panther actress is not only taking her experience and using it to advocate for more research, but she wants improved screening devices, fewer invasive treatments, and more education for females. She has allied herself with lawmakers and health organisations and joined forces to initiate research grants and aid new legislation targeting fibroids. Through her suffering, Lupita hopes to break the silence and secrecy about women's health problems.

A study in the Journal of Women's Health verifies how prevalent fibroids are. It reports that as many as 80% of Black women and 70% of white women will develop them by age 50. Symptoms might be worse in Black women, tending to necessitate more surgery and longer hospitalisations. Early diagnosis and patient education are essential in managing the uterine fibroids burden.

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Conclusion

Lupita Nyong'o's candour is opening doors for new conversations about women's health. Her bravery reminds us that pain cannot be ignored or denied. With more stories like hers, the hope is for improved research, treatment, and comprehension for all women who live with uterine fibroids.