Amy Schumer “doesn’t owe an explanation” for her appearance.
The author and comedian, who has been doing press work leading up to the second season premiere of her Hulu comedy “Life & Beth,” took to social media on Thursday to address recent comments about her face and used the opportunity to speak up about endometriosis to move into the spotlight. a condition in which tissue similar to the cells of the lining of the uterus grows outside the organ.
“Thank you for all the posts about my face! Like all women, I have enjoyed feedback and reflections on my appearance for almost 20 years. And you're right, it's more puffy than normal right now,” Schumer wrote in the caption of her Instagram post, which featured promotional art for “Life & Beth,” starring Michael Cera.
She explained that she suffers from endometriosis – a diagnosis the actor has previously spoken openly about – and that “there are some medical and hormonal things going on in my world right now, but I'm fine.”
Schumer further pointed out that there is a lack of funding for research into health issues that affect “women's bodies” compared to men. The cause of endometriosis is still unknown and there is no cure. It also often affects fertility.
“I also believe that a woman needs no excuse for her appearance and does not owe any explanation. But I wanted to take the opportunity to advocate for self-love and acceptance of the skin you're in,” she added. “I feel strong and beautiful and so proud of this TV show (Life & Beth) that I created, wrote, starred in and directed. Maybe we can just focus on that for a bit.”
Amy Schumer had her uterus removed during endometriosis surgery: 'It will change my life'
In September 2021, more than two years after the birth of her and Chris Fischer's son Gene, Schumer underwent surgery to treat her endometriosis symptoms. She shared on Instagram that due to the aggressive nature of her case, both her uterus and appendix were removed during the procedure.
“The doctor found 30 endometriosis lesions, which he removed. He removed my appendix because endometriosis had affected it.” She added: “There was a lot of blood in my uterus and I'm, you know, in pain and bloated.”
In a follow-up video released the next day, Schumer added that she wanted to “raise awareness” about endometriosis, saying the condition is “really painful and debilitating, and you don't have to live with it.”
“I'm very hopeful and really glad that I did it, and I think it's going to change my life,” she said of her procedure.
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Bindi Irwin, Gabrielle Union among celebrities who have spoken out about endometriosis
Schumer isn't the only one who has been vocal about how endometriosis has affected her life and fertility. Actress Gabrielle Union-Wade, “Star Wars” franchise star Daisy Ridley, dancer Julianne Hough and author/actress Lena Dunham are among those in Hollywood who have advocated for greater awareness of the disease.
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 10% of people of childbearing age with uteruses worldwide live with endometriosis.
Dunham revealed in a 2018 Vogue essay that she had a hysterectomy at age 31 to remove her cervix and uterus after living with pain that had become “unbearable” and for which the doctors couldn't find a reason.
During the procedure, she wrote, doctors discovered, “In addition to endometrial disease, a strange bump-like protuberance, and a septum running down the middle, I had retrograde bleeding, meaning my period was reversed, so my stomach was full of blood.” My ovary has attached itself to the muscles around the sacral nerves in my back that allow us to walk. Let’s not even talk about my uterine lining please,” she wrote.
She added: “Because I had to work so hard to have my pain acknowledged, I had no time to feel fear or sadness. To say goodbye. I made a decision that was never one for me, and yet for me grief feels like a luxury I don’t have.”
Contributor: Jenna Ryu, USA TODAY