Amy Schumer revealed she has Cushing syndrome.
The Emmy-winning actress, 42, shared her diagnosis in Jessica Yellin’s ‘News Not Noise’ newsletter on Friday, just days after fans raised concern over her face appearing ‘puffy.’
The star said that she learned about her condition while promoting season 2 of her show Life & Beth, after speculation about her appearance helped her realize ‘something was wrong.’
‘It has been a crazy couple [of] weeks for me and my family. Aside from fears about my health, I also had to be on camera having the internet chime in. But thank God for that. Because that’s how I realized something was wrong.’
Cushing syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your body makes too much of the hormone cortisol (known as the stress hormone) over a long period of time.
Amy Schumer, 42, revealed she has Cushing syndrome, just days after fans raised concern over her face appearing ‘puffy’; seen February 14 in New York City
The star revealed her diagnosis in Jessica Yellin’s ‘News Not Noise’ newsletter said that she learned about her condition while promoting season 2 of her show Life & Beth
Symptoms can include weight gain in the face and trunk, a fatty lump between the shoulders, pink or purple stretch marks, frail skin and more.
Treatment for Cushing syndrome is designed to lower the amount of cortisol in the body, and depends on the cause of the syndrome, according to Mayo Clinic.
Amy explained her journey to find out her diagnosis: ‘While I was doing press on camera for my Hulu show, I was also in MRI machines four hours at a time, having my veins shut down from the amount of blood drawn and thinking I may not be around to see my son grow up.’
‘So finding out I have the kind of Cushing that will just work itself out and I’m healthy was the greatest news imaginable.’
When asked why she decided to share her ‘personal medical information,’ Schumer said she wants to ‘advocate for women’s health.’
‘The shaming and criticism of our ever-changing bodies is something I have dealt with and witnessed for a long time.’
‘I want so much for women to love themselves and be relentless when fighting for their own health in a system that usually doesn’t believe them.’
She added that her diagnosis ‘is a good example of the fact that we never know what is going on with someone.’
She shared that recent speculation about her appearance helped her realize ‘something was wrong’; seen February 13 on the Tonight Show
‘Aside from fears about my health, I also had to be on camera having the internet chime in. But thank God for that. Because that’s how I realized something was wrong’
Cushing’s syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your body makes too much of the hormone cortisol (known as the stress hormone) over a long period of time; seen February 14 in NYC
‘Everyone is struggling with something. Maybe we can all be a little kinder to each other and ourselves.’
On Tuesday Schumer said she feels that her online critics are upset that she’s not ‘thinner’ and ‘prettier,’ while in a discussion about online trolling.
She appeared on the podcast Not Skinny But Not Fat, where she said she felt especially targeted over her appearance by trolls.
‘I think they’re mad that I’m not thinner, I think they’re mad 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 earlier this month about her battle with endometriosis amid speculation about her face appearing ‘puffy’ – said the hostility she’s faced online is tied in with misogyny.
‘I think that they don’t want any woman to speak – I mean, what woman has ever opened her mouth and not been torn to shreds?’ Schumer said.
The Trainwreck star said that people online have shown to ‘feel very comfortable s***ing’ on her,’ as ‘there’s a lot of passion out there for’ her.
‘I could focus on that and it doesn’t feel good when the whole Internet’s mad at you,’ Schumer said. ‘Don’t get me wrong – it does not feel good and I don’t wish that on anyone if they don’t deserve it.’
Last week she addressed online speculation about her appearance after she made 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 as she underwent a hysterectomy in order to treat her endometriosis
On Tuesday Schumer said she feels that her online critics are upset that she’s not ‘thinner’ and ‘prettier,’ while in a discussion about online trolling; seen in 2017
The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo author, asked if she’s grown a ‘thick skin’ after being in the limelight for more than a decade, said she’s used to being targeted by trolls.
‘It’s been a long time people have been coming for me,’ said Schumer, who shares son Gene, four, with spouse Chris Fischer, 44.
Schumer last week addressed online speculation about her appearance after she made promotional appearances on Good Morning America and The Tonight Show for the second season of her Hulu series Life & Beth.
In a February 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 about my face!’ she said. ‘I’ve enjoyed feedback and deliberation about my appearance as all women do for almost 20 years. And you’re right it is puffier than normal right now.
‘I have endometriosis an auto immune disease that every woman should read about. There are some medical and hormonal things going on in my world right now but I’m okay.’
Schumer said that she believed ‘a woman doesn’t need any excuse for her physical appearance and owes no explanation,’ but she responded to the speculation ‘to advocate for self love and acceptance of the skin you’re in.’
Schumer continued, ‘Like every other women/person some days I feel confident and good as hell and others I want to put a bag over my head. But I feel strong and beautiful and so proud of this tv show I created. Wrote. Starred in 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 trailer
Schumer noted that ‘historically women’s bodies have barely been studied medically compared to men,’ and noted that the new book All in Her Head from author Elizabeth Comen ‘does a good job explaining this.’
According to a description from The Mayo Clinic, Endometriosis ‘is an often-painful condition in which tissue that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.
‘It often affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. Rarely, endometriosis growths may be found beyond the area where pelvic organs are located.’
Pain linked with the condition can spike ‘during menstrual period,’ according to the clinic, and ‘fertility problems also may develop.’
Season 2 of Amy’s show, Life & Beth, is now available to stream on Hulu.