Understanding Uterine Fibroids
- Actress Lupita Nyong’o, 42, reflected on her 2025 highlights in a 25-second Instagram video, expressing gratitude for personal connections, her work, and support after sharing her uterine fibroid story, while carrying her women’s health advocacy forward into 2026.
- “Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that are extremely common, with up to 80% of women having a fibroid in their lifetime,” Dr. Kelly N. Wright previously told SurvivorNet. “Many fibroids are small and cause no symptoms, and therefore can be monitored over time.”
- It’s important to note that while fibroids themselves aren’t cancerous, there is a rare type of cancer that can mimic the look of these tumors.
- We admire Nyong’o ability to exude happiness and gratitude for what she has after an arduous health journey. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, several studies have indicated that learning to live with gratitude can lead to more happiness and less stress.
- One way to exercise gratitude is to take time to think about things you appreciate every day. One way to exercise gratitude in your life is to write down those things in a journal.
The 42-year-old diversity advocate, celebrated for her performances in “Black Panther” and “12 Years a Slave,” shared a thoughtful video on Instagram this week, writing alongside it, “My 2025 in a 25-second flash. Whew! (Disclaimer: These are definitely just the highlights – there were plenty of lowlights, but I was too busy crying through them to grab my phone and capture them!)
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Nyong’o opened up about her health journey in a July 2025 Instagram post, sharing that in 2014, the same year she won an Academy Award, she found out she had 30 uterine fibroids and needed surgery to remove them. Then, when she asked her doctor how to prevent them from returning, she was told there was no way to stop it—they would likely grow back over time.
She noted that from puberty, women are often told that period pain is just a normal part of being female, leaving many to deal with the condition quietly and this health topic seldom discussed.
In September, Nyong’o shared another informative post, urging others dealing with fibroids that “It’s not your fault.”
She said, “We blame ourselves because we’re not taught about fibroids. Science can’t pinpoint exactly why they form, but estrogen dominance fuels their growth, and I’m genetically predisposed to that.”
Nyong’o then advised others to learn about their family history and “know your body.”
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She continued, “Become your own health detective. Keep a period diary. Not just length, by flow heaviness, clots, cramps and everything. Fibroids change things subtly over time and this record helps you communicate with doctors.
“I ignored so many signs because I thought constant pain was just part of being a woman. UNTRUE. Period pain, heavy bleeding, and clotting aren’t normal. If something feels off, BELIEVE in yourself.”
For anyone coping with symptoms, she insists on getting checked as soon as possible, find an experienced doctor, and be prepared for appointments.
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What Are Uterine Fibroids?
Uterine fibroids are extremely common, yet many people are unaware of what they are. According to Cedars-Sinai, these are “firm, dense tumors made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue,” which develop in the uterus.
Approximately “1 in 5 to 1 in 2 women of reproductive age have fibroids, but not all are diagnosed,” Cedars-Sinai notes, adding that only about one-third of fibroids grow large enough to be detected by a healthcare provider during a physical examination.
To help clear up any confusion on uterine fibroids, SurvivorNet previously spoke with Dr. Kelly N. Wright, a specialist at the Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Center at Cedars-Sinai.
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“Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) tumors that are extremely common, with up to 80% of women having a fibroid in their lifetime,” Dr. Wright told SurvivorNet. “Many fibroids are small and cause no symptoms, and therefore can be monitored over time.
“We expect fibroids to shrink by about 30% at the time of menopause, and after menopause, they shouldn’t grow any further or cause new symptoms.”
Sometimes, however, they cause symptoms that can interfere with a woman’s quality of life.
“When fibroids do cause symptoms, it can be either with a women’s period (heavier or irregular bleeding or both), or by causing ‘bulk’ symptoms, which are symptoms caused by the compression of the fibroid onto other organs,” Dr. Wright said. “Bulk symptoms can include a protrusion in the belly, urinating frequently, or sometimes pelvic pain.
“If a fibroid is causing these symptoms, then it should be evaluated by a physician, and a treatment plan should be created. Fibroids that interfere with one’s quality of life should not be ignored,” she continued.
It’s important to note that while fibroids themselves aren’t cancerous, there is a rare type of cancer that can mimic the look of these tumors.
“Though fibroids are extremely common, some women are at risk for having a much less common type of cancer that can look like fibroids called leiomyosarcoma,” Dr. Wright said. “Women who have new fibroid tumors grow after menopause, take tamoxifen (a medication for breast cancer), or have a history of kidney cancer may be at a higher risk for leiomyosarcoma.
“Any concern for cancer in a fibroid should be fully evaluated and may require a hysterectomy for treatment.”
Additionally, uterine fibroids do not increase the risk for uterine cancer, and they do not have a known cause.
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According to Cedars-Sinai, women approaching menopause face a higher likelihood of developing fibroids because of prolonged exposure to elevated estrogen levels. Research also shows that women who are obese and those of African-American descent tend to have an increased risk, though the exact reasons for this are not fully understood.
Other risk factors include:
- Diet high in red meat
- Family history of fibroids
- High blood pressure
Meanwhile, the most common symptoms for uterine fibroids include:
- Heavy or prolonged menstrual periods
- Bleeding between periods
- Pelvic pain caused by pressure on nearby organs
- Frequent need to urinate
- Lower back pain
- Pain during intercourse
- A firm mass in the central pelvic area that may be detected during a medical exam
Cedars-Sinai advises that uterine fibroids are often first noticed during a routine pelvic exam when a healthcare provider feels an unusual or firm mass.
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If fibroids are suspected, additional tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis and assess their size or location, including:
- Imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI
- Specialized X-ray procedures with contrast dye
- A hysteroscopy, which uses a small camera to view the inside of the uterus
- An endometrial biopsy to collect a tissue sample for further evaluation
- Blood tests to check for anemia, especially if heavy menstrual bleeding is present
Treatment options for uterine fibroids include a hysterectomy (removal of uterus and cervix) or myomectomy (removal of fibroids), hormone-based therapies to shrink fibroids or reduce bleeding, procedures that cut off the fibroids’ blood supply, minimally invasive techniques like MRI-guided ultrasound, and medications to manage pain or heavy bleeding.
For women experiencing USA Fibroid Centers offers fibroid specialists to help with navigating symptoms and a diagnosis.
Consult your healthcare provider about the different treatment options available, including their potential risks and benefits. They can help answer your questions and guide you in choosing the approach that best suits your needs.
Clinical trials are another option for women with uterine fibroids. SurvivorNet offers a guide explaining what clinical trials are, why they matter, and how to participate. If you’re interested in joining a trial, you can explore opportunities using the SurvivorNet Clinical Trial Finder.
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The Power of Gratitude: How To Find Strength in Appreciation
Many cancer survivors who’ve shared their journeys with SurvivorNet speak not only of resilience, but of gratitude. In the face of life-altering diagnoses and grueling treatments, they consistently point to the people, moments, and simple joys that bring light into their lives.
Defined as the practice of recognizing and appreciating what we have, gratitude can be a powerful mindset for those navigating the uncertainty of cancer. Experts interviewed by SurvivorNet encourage both patients and their loved ones to embrace gratitude as a tool for emotional well-being and mental strength.
WATCH: Finding gratitude and its impact on your well-being.
Dr. Zuri Murrell, a colorectal cancer surgeon at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, has seen firsthand how this mindset can transform the treatment experience.
“The patients who do well with cancer live life with gratitude—not for the disease itself, but for the clarity it brings,” he explains.
“They’re grateful for the opportunity to understand that life is finite, and that every moment matters.”
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, multiple studies show that cultivating gratitude can lead to increased happiness and reduced stress—two critical factors in supporting mental health during treatment.
Practicing gratitude doesn’t require grand gestures. It can be as simple as pausing each day to reflect on what brings you joy or jotting down a few things you’re thankful for in a journal. These small acts can help reframe even the most difficult days, offering a sense of control, hope, and emotional grounding.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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