What you need to know about uterine fibroids as Lupita Nyong’o opens up about her struggles

What you need to know about uterine fibroids

The Black Panther actress decided to speak out during Fibroid Awareness Month because so many women are suffering in silence.

She wrote on Instagram, "This Fibroid Awareness Month and beyond, I hope my experience will resonate with anyone else who has ever felt dismissed, confused, or alone.

"And I hope to seek answers for the far too many women dealing with uterine fibroids (80% of Black women and 70% of white women by age 50!). We deserve better. It’s time to demand it. Silence serves no one!"

The actress explained that she first found out she had uterine fibroids in March 2014, the same year she won an Academy Award for her role in 12 Years A Slave.

Lupita had surgery and had 30 fibroids removed. Following her surgery, the actress asked her doctor if there was anything she could do to stop them from occurring, but he said that it was only a matter of time until they grew again.

What are the symptoms?

Eight out of 10 black women will suffer from uterine fibroids, with seven in 10 white women being affected during their lifetimes.

Women aged between 30 and 40 are most likely to suffer, but they can appear at any age.

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus, on the uterine wall, or on its surface. They can be as small as a pea or as big as a melon and cause a myriad of symptoms.

The main symptoms include heavy, long, or painful periods, pain in the lower belly and back, and painful sex.

People will also pee often and suffer from discomfort in the rectum.

Medical experts still don't know what causes fibroids, but they believe hormones and genetics may make you more likely to get them.

Lupita wanted to share her story with the hope of encouraging the US government to invest more in uterine fibroids research.

"We need to stop treating this massive issue like a series of unfortunate coincidences. We must reject the normalisation of female pain. I envision a future with early education for teenagers, better screening protocols, robust prevention research, and less invasive treatments for uterine fibroids."

The actress hopes the government will introduce bills to expand funding and to increase early detection.

She also hopes they will invest more in interventions for uterine fibroids and studies to determine the cause.

She also launched the Lupita Nyong’o Uterine Fibroid Research Grant in partnership with the Foundation for Women’s Health to encourage more research.