Amy Schumer reveals she has Cushing Syndrome and says fans chiming in about her ‘puffy’ face made her realize ‘something was wrong’
Amy Schumer revealed she has Cushing’s syndrome.
The Emmy-winning actress, 42, shared her diagnosis on Jessica Yellin’s ‘News no noisenewsletter on Friday, just days after fans expressed concern that her face looked “swollen.”
The star said she learned about her condition while promoting season 2 of her show Life & Beth, after speculation about her appearance helped her realize that “something was wrong.”
‘It’s been a crazy few weeks for me and my family. In addition to the concerns about my health, I also had to be in front of the camera as the Internet arrived. But thank goodness for that. Because that’s how I realized something was wrong.’
Cushing’s syndrome is a condition that occurs when your body produces too much of the hormone cortisol (also called the stress hormone) over a long period of time.
Amy Schumer, 42, revealed she has Cushing’s syndrome just days after fans expressed concern about her face looking ‘swollen’; seen on February 14 in New York City
The star revealed her diagnosis in Jessica Yellin’s ‘News Not Noise’ newsletter, saying she learned about her condition while promoting season 2 of her show Life & Beth
Symptoms can include weight gain in the face and torso, a lump of fat between the shoulders, pink or purple stretch marks, weak skin and more.
Treatment for Cushing’s syndrome aims to lower the amount of cortisol in the body and depends on the cause of the syndrome. Mayo Clinic.
Amy explained her journey to finding out about her diagnosis: “While I was doing press on camera for my Hulu show, I was also sitting in MRI machines for four hours straight, having my arteries occluded from the amount of blood being drawn and me thought maybe I can’t be there to see my son grow up.’
‘So finding out that I have the kind of Cushing’s that will go away on its own and that I am healthy was the best news imaginable.’
When asked why she decided to share her “personal medical information,” Schumer said she “wants to advocate for women’s health.”
“The shame and criticism of our ever-changing bodies is something I have dealt with and witnessed for a long time.”
“I so want women to love themselves and be ruthless as they fight for their own health in a system that usually doesn’t believe them.”
She added that her diagnosis is “a great example of the fact that we never know what’s going on with someone.”
She said that recent speculation about her appearance helped her realize that ‘something was wrong’; seen on February 13 during the Tonight Show
‘In addition to the concerns about my health, I also had to be in front of the camera as the Internet arrived. But thank goodness for that. ‘Cause I realized something was wrong
Cushing’s syndrome is a condition that occurs when your body produces too much of the hormone cortisol (also called the stress hormone) over a long period of time; seen on February 14 in NYC
‘Everyone suffers from something. Maybe we can all be a little kinder to each other and to ourselves.”
On Tuesday, Schumer said she feels like her online critics are angry because she isn’t “thinner” and “prettier” while engaging in a discussion about online trolls.
She appeared on the podcast Not skinny but not fatwhere she said she especially felt attacked by trolls because of her appearance.
“I think they’re mad that I’m not thinner, I think they’re mad that I’m not prettier,” the New York City native said, “and that I still feel like I have a right to speak .’
The Life & Beth star — who opened up in detail about her battle with endometriosis earlier this month amid speculation about her face looking “swollen” — said the hostility she faces online is linked to misogyny.
“I guess they don’t want a woman to say anything – I mean, what woman has ever opened her mouth without being torn to shreds?” Schumer said.
The Trainwreck star said people online have shown that they feel “very comfortable singing” because “there’s a lot of passion for her.”
“I could focus on that and it doesn’t feel good when the whole internet is mad at you,” Schumer said. “Don’t get me wrong: it doesn’t feel good and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone who doesn’t deserve it.”
Last week, she addressed online speculation about her appearance after making promotional appearances on Good Morning America and The Tonight Show for the second season of her Hulu series Life & Beth
In 2021, she had her uterus and appendix removed when she underwent a hysterectomy to treat her endometriosis
On Tuesday, Schumer said she feels her online critics are angry because she isn’t “thinner” and “prettier” while engaged in a discussion about online trolls; seen in 2017
The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo author, asked if she has grown a “thick skin” after more than a decade in the spotlight, said she is used to being the target of trolls.
“It’s been a long time since people came for me,” says Schumer, who shares son Gene, four, with husband Chris Fischer, 44.
Schumer addressed online speculation about her appearance last week after making promotional appearances on Good Morning America and The Tonight Show for the second season of her Hulu series Life & Beth.
In a Feb. 15 Instagram post, Schumer told her 13 million followers that she was battling the autoimmune disease endometriosis, which caused some swelling.
“Thank you so much for everyone’s input on my face!” she said. ‘I have enjoyed feedback and consultation about my appearance, as all women have for almost twenty years. And you’re right, it’s thicker than normal now.
‘I have endometriosis, an autoimmune disease that every woman should read about. There are some medical and hormonal things going on in my world right now, but I’m doing well.”
Schumer said she believed that “a woman does not need any excuses for her physical appearance and is not owed any explanations,” but she responded to the speculation “to advocate for self-love and acceptance of the skin you are in.”
Schumer continued, “Just like any other woman/person, some days I feel confident and good, and other days I want to put a bag over my head. But I feel strong and beautiful and so proud of this TV show that I created. Wrote. Starring and directed.’
She’s been busy promoting season 2 of her show Life & Beth, now available to stream on Hulu; Pictured with Michael Cera in a still from the trailer
Schumer noted that “historically, women’s bodies have hardly been medically examined compared to men,” noting that author Elizabeth Comen’s new book All in Her Head “explains this well.”
According to a description from The Mayo Clinic, endometriosis is “an often painful condition in which tissue that resembles the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.
‘It often affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. In rare cases, endometriotic growths may be found outside the area where the pelvic organs are located.’
The pain associated with the condition may increase “during menstruation” and “fertility problems may also develop,” according to the clinic.
Season 2 of Amy’s show, Life & Beth, is now available to stream on Hulu.