Actress Lupita Nyong’o shared on Instagram that the same year she won an Academy Award for her role in “12 Years A Slave” (2014) she was also diagnosed with chronic uterine fibroids, a common yet understudied medical issue in women — and particularly, Black women.

In the Instagram post, Nyong’o said she had 30 fibroids removed only to be told there is nothing she can do to keep them from coming back.

Her post is part of a campaign to raise awareness for uterine fibroids, support research funding and push forward Congressional bills. Nyong’o shared this news as a way to break the “silent suffering” that’s forced on women.

And while Nyong’o is a well-known person dealing with the often-painful condition, millions of other women deal with it, too. Both in silence and at endless doctor’s appointments.

Lupita Nyong'o, who starred in movies such as "Us" and "12 Years A Slave" shared on social media that she's been battling chronic uterine fibroids for a decade.

For instance, Tanika Gray Valbrun started experiencing extremely heavy periods early in her teen years.

“I was that girl who always had to carry pads with her, felt like I was always on my period, had to wear two panties and biker shorts, always had an extra bag with me,” she told HuffPost.

In addition to the heavy bleeding, Valbrun also experienced painful periods, her abdomen protruded and she felt a constant need to use the bathroom.

It wasn’t until she was about 25 that she received a diagnosis: uterine fibroids. Many doctors appointments and treatments followed, and though she is still on this medical journey, the source of her issues is no longer a mystery.

Although fibroids are quite common, they remain relatively unknown or misunderstood for many. “Uterine fibroids are benign tumours that grow from smooth muscle cells, so they’re often found in the uterus,” said Dr. Sawsan As-Sanie, an associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Michigan Medical School. “They can be in the lining of the uterus, the wall of the uterus or on the surface.”

Also called leiomyomas or myomas, fibroids vary in shape, size and number. Some grow slowly over many years while others might remain the same size for a long time and then start to grow rapidly.

“Looking back, I think about how many times I had accommodated my life for fibroids,” Valbrun said. “I was always strategising what to bring or how to dress because I would be bleeding. I never wore white clothing, even though I love whites and light colours.”

Below, experts break down the facts and misconceptions around uterine fibroids.

Who is most likely to have fibroids?

“Fibroids are highly prevalent, and they become more common as patients get older,” As-Sanie noted.

The National Institutes of Health estimates that up to 70% of white women and 80% to 90% of Black women will develop fibroids by the age of 50.

“Really, anyone with a uterus can experience uterine fibroids, but they disproportionately impact Black women at a higher rate,” Valbrun said. “Black women are more likely to experience them, and their fibroids are more likely to occur when they’re younger, grow more quickly and cause more symptoms.”

Age is a big risk factor with fibroids, as their prevalence increases as patients grow older and then declines in post-menopausal women. Although fibroids are most common in women ages 30 to 40 and in Black women, As-Sanie said that she sees them in patients of all ages, races and ethnicities.

“Mine started in my teenage years, so it’s not just an issue for women in........

© HuffPost