Opening up about her personal health battles, Amy Schumer revealed she has been diagnosed with Cushing syndrome.
According to Mayo Clinic, Cushing syndrome occurs when the body has too much of the hormone cortisol for a long time. This can be caused by the body making too much cortisol, or from taking medication called glucocorticoids.
The main symptoms of Cushing syndrome are a “fatty hump” between the shoulders as well as a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on the skin. Cushing syndrome can also cause high blood pressure or bone loss and even type 2 diabetes.
During a recent appearance on Jessica Yellin’s News Not Noise newsletter, Schumer shared more details about her health condition. She said speculation about her “puffy face” led to her seeking treatment.
“While I was doing press on camera for my Hulu show, I was also in MRI machines four hours at a time,” Amy Schumer explained. “Having my veins shut down from the amount of blood drawn and thinking I may not be around to see my son grow up. It has been a crazy couple [of] weeks for me and my family.”
Despite the criticism, Schumer said the observations of others helped her see that something was wrong. “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.”
Amy Schumer Recently Slammed Critics Who Said She Has a ‘Puffer’ Face During Life & Beth Press Tour
The announcement about Amy Schumer’s Cushing syndrome diagnosis comes just weeks after the comedian called out critics who said she has a “puffer” face than usual.
“Thank you so much for everyone’s input about my face!” she wrote in a lengthy Instagram post. “I’ve enjoyed feedback and deliberation about my appearance as all women do for almost 20 years.”
Amy Schumer also acknowledged that her face is puffier than normal. “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 okay. Historically women’s bodies have barely been studied medically compared to men.”
Schumer pointed out that while she revealed details about her health, she doesn’t believe women need any excuses for their physical appearances nor owe any explanation. “But I wanted to take the opportunity to advocate for self-love and acceptance of the skin you’re in. Like every other woman/person some days I feel confident and good as hell and others I want to put a bag over my head.”
Amy Schumer went on to add that she feels strong and beautiful. “[I am] so proud of this TV she created,” she shared about Life & Bath. “Wrote. Starred in and directed. Maybe just maybe we can focus on that for a little.”