Amy Schumer, the American actor and director, recently shared that she has been diagnosed with Cushing’s Syndrome. This uncommon hormonal disorder is associated with weight gain and the development of a round face, commonly referred to as a moon face. Ms. Schumer disclosed her diagnosis in response to numerous comments and observations from fans about the perceived changes in her face, particularly noting its “puffier” appearance during recent TV interviews. She went on to say she felt reborn after learning her diagnosis and that she wanted to share it to advocate for women’s health.

Cushing’s syndrome is brought on by having too much cortisol in the body, either from the adrenal glands making too much of the hormone or from taking glucocorticoid medications for an extended period, according to Medline Plus. This condition can lead to fat on the abdomen, thighs, and arms, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, thin skin with easy bruising, a fatty lump between the shoulders, muscle loss, and headaches. There are two types of Cushing’s syndrome: exogenous Cushing’s syndrome caused by steroid injections and endogenous Cushing’s syndrome arising from the pituitary gland or adrenal glands.

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According to Ms Schumer, she was diagnosed with the latter, and her symptoms include a round face, bloating, fatigue, backaches, bone pain or tenderness, and a collection of fat under the eyes, which is called a moon face. It can also cause weight gain, a low sex drive, less frequent or missed periods for women, and a loss of libido in men. In an exclusive statement to the News Not Noise newsletter, Ms Schumer said that she decided to go public about her diagnosis after being swarmed by internet trolls who criticized her appearance. When the hateful comments came in, the 42-year-old comedian was promoting season 2 of her hit Hulu show Life & Beth.

Ms Schumer has been very open about her health struggles in the past, including her experience with endometriosis and her difficult delivery from hyperemesis gravidarum during her first pregnancy. She previously said that she wants to use her platform to help women’s health, mainly because, historically, female bodies have been disregarded.

In the same interview, Ms Schumer also discussed her struggle with endometriosis. This chronic disease causes tissue similar to the lining of the uterus to grow outside of the uterus, which can cause severe pelvic pain and make it harder to get pregnant. The actor shared in a February 15 Instagram post that she had to have her uterus and appendix removed due to the painful condition. She added that she feels “so much better” now and plans to keep sharing her story to encourage other women. The new season of her hit comedy is set to air later this month.