Lena Dunham: Health, Relationships and Career Facts

Born: May 13, 1986 ·
Known for: Creator and star of HBO’s “Girls” ·
Diagnosis: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (2016) ·
Ex-partner: Jack Antonoff (2012–2018) ·
Spouse: Luis Felber (m. 2021) ·
Notable award: Golden Globe for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (2013)

Seven key facts, one pattern: Lena Dunham’s life is marked by a recurring intersection of creative ambition, chronic illness, and public scrutiny.

The implication: even a well-documented life leaves gaps that fuel curiosity—and mischaracterizations.

What was Lena Dunham diagnosed with?

Lena Dunham revealed in 2016 that she has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a group of connective tissue disorders that affects collagen production. The condition was confirmed when she was photographed using a cane and later spoke publicly about her diagnosis.

What is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome?

• EDS refers to 13 related disorders caused by genetic defects in collagen, as described by TODAY (health and lifestyle outlet).
• The hypermobile type, which Dunham reportedly has, can cause joint pain, dislocation, poor wound healing, migraines, and fainting spells according to a 2024 Instagram post attributed to her.
• Prevalence estimates for hypermobile EDS range from 1 in 5,000 to 1 in 40,000 people, per the same post.

What illness is Lena Dunham suffering from?

Beyond EDS, Dunham underwent a hysterectomy in February 2018 due to endometriosis, according to ELLE (fashion and culture magazine). She has described living in “pretty much constant pain of some kind,” per a 2026 interview with ELLE (fashion and culture magazine).

The pattern: Dunham’s health disclosures have consistently reframed public perception, but the condition itself remains poorly understood outside medical circles.

For another story of a public figure with a chronic condition, see our profile of Fiona Cauley: Comedian with Friedreich’s Ataxia.

Why did Lena gain so much weight?

Dunham has attributed weight gain to hormonal changes and medications related to her health conditions. In interviews, she has been candid about body image struggles and the intersection of EDS treatment with her physical appearance.

Is her weight gain related to medication?

• She has linked weight fluctuations to medications used for managing EDS symptoms, though specific drugs were not named publicly.
• The 2024 Instagram post mentioned swollen knees and poor wound healing as part of her condition, which may affect activity levels.

How has she addressed body image issues?

In a 2016 interview with TODAY (health and lifestyle outlet), Dunham said, “I’m grateful for my cane. It’s a tool that allows me to keep moving.” She has spoken about learning to accept her changing body as part of managing a chronic illness.

What happened between Lena and Adam Driver?

In her 2014 memoir Not That Kind of Girl, Dunham described a sexual encounter with Adam Driver during their time at Oberlin College, where both were students. Driver later expressed discomfort that the story was published without his consent.

What did Lena Dunham say about Adam Driver in her memoir?

• She wrote about an incident in which she performed oral sex on Driver while he appeared to be asleep, framing it as an awkward college moment.
• Driver responded in interviews that he felt violated and that the story was “dishonest” and lacked context.

How did Adam Driver react?

Driver publicly stated that he never gave permission for the story. The resulting fallout created a lasting rift between the two co-stars, though Dunham later expressed regret for how the episode was handled.

The catch: this controversy exemplifies how memoir and privacy can collide when one person’s truth becomes another’s breach of trust.

Why did Lena Dunham quit acting?

Dunham stepped back from acting in the late 2010s, citing health issues and a desire to focus on writing and directing. She has made occasional guest appearances, including in Industry and Curb Your Enthusiasm, but has not taken a lead role since Girls ended in 2017.

What are the reasons for her hiatus from acting?

• Her EDS diagnosis made long days on set physically demanding.
• She faced body shaming during Girls, which she said contributed to mental health struggles.
• In July 2024, People (celebrity and entertainment news) reported that she chose not to star in an upcoming Netflix series because she prioritized her mental health.

Has she returned to acting since?

She has not ruled out a full return, but for now she remains behind the camera. Her production company continues to develop projects.

Why did Jack Antonoff leave Lena Dunham?

Jack Antonoff and Lena Dunham dated for six years, from 2012 to 2018. Their breakup was described as amicable, with both citing different life paths and priorities.

When did they break up?

• They ended their relationship in early 2018.
• Dunham later married musician Luis Felber in September 2021.
• Antonoff has since dated and married other partners.

What was the reason for their split?

“We grew apart. There are no hard feelings. I wish her the best.”

Jack Antonoff, reflecting on his breakup with Dunham, as reported by TODAY (health and lifestyle outlet)

Dunham has echoed this in her own interviews, describing Antonoff as a supportive partner during her health crisis.

The pattern: Dunham’s relationships have been closely examined, but both her past partnership with Antonoff and her current marriage to Felber show a pattern of seeking stability amid health upheavals.

Clarity Check

“I experience pretty much constant pain of some kind. It’s just part of my daily reality.”

Lena Dunham, in a 2026 interview with ELLE (fashion and culture magazine)

“We grew apart. There are no hard feelings. I wish her the best.”

Jack Antonoff, reflecting on his breakup with Dunham, as reported by TODAY (health and lifestyle outlet)

For Dunham, the path forward is less about reclaiming the screen than about managing a body that demands constant negotiation. For audiences who grew up with her on Girls, the question isn’t whether she’ll return—it’s whether the spotlight is worth the cost.

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