Lena Dunham's candid battle: From "Girls" stardom to online hate

Lena Dunham gained fame by starring in the TV series "Girls," which aired from 2012 to 2017. Recently, she has appeared less frequently on screen due to illness and the body shaming she has experienced.

Lena Dunham's role in the series "Girls," though appreciated, came at a cost - the actress became a target of online hate and ridicule. Even though seven years have passed since the show ended, she still faces offensive comments. The actress, director, and film producer stated that this has made her no longer want to appear on screen to avoid provoking another wave of criticism.

However, few haters knew that Dunham suffers from a rare genetic condition that causes excessively stretchable skin and joint hypermobility. Additionally, the actress underwent a hysterectomy (surgery to remove the uterus) due to endometriosis, after which she gained weight.

In an interview with "The New Yorker," the star of the series "Girls" confessed that long-term struggles with online hate had negatively affected her mental health. The 38-year-old not only boldly exposed her body in the series but also at public events, making her a subject of controversy online.

Lena Dunham received a lot of support from feminist communities who appreciated her breaking the taboo around the sexuality of plus-size women, but body shaming ultimately made her stop acting.

A new series based on Dunham's life experiences will premiere on a streaming platform in the coming year. However, we will not see Dunham on screen in "Too Much"—another actress will play her.

In her interview with "The New Yorker," Dunham also admitted that over the years, she has come to understand what success means to her.

"I used to think that winning meant you just keep doing it and you don't care what anybody thinks. I forgot that winning is actually just protecting yourself and doing what you need to do to keep making work," she said.