Bindi Irwin shares her endometriosis journey after surgery found 37 lesions

Australia’s Bindi Irwin has opened up about her ten-year endometriosis battle following surgery

The wildlife conservationist and daughter of legendary Steve Irwin said she fought the disease for many years in silence after her doctor told her it was ‘normal’ to have extremely painful and heavy periods.

The 24-year-old shared a heartfelt post with her five million Instagram followers from her hospital bed. The surgery uncovered 37 lesions and a chocolate cyst.

The mother-of-one said she had struggled for ten years with ‘insurmountable pain and nausea’ but had tried to remain as positive as possible. She also said she did not know whether to share her journey with her fans but felt sharing her story might help other women.

She said: “For ten years I’ve struggled…trying to remain positive and hide the pain has been a very long road.

“A doctor told me it was simply something you deal with as a woman and I gave up entirely, trying to function through the pain.”

Bindi, who married Chandler Powell in 2020, said she finally decided to undergo surgery for endometriosis after a friend introduced her to endometriosis warrior Leslie Mosier, who she said helped her on the path to ‘regaining’ her life.

She said in the post: “Going in for surgery was scary but I knew I couldn’t live like I was. Every part of my life was getting torn apart because of the pain.”

In the recovery room, her doctor came to her and asked her how she had lived with so much pain for so long.

She said: “This is validation for years of pain and it is indescribable. To my family and friends who have been with me on this journey for ten-plus years, thank you for encouraging me to find answers when I thought I’d never climb out.”

She also thanks her doctors and nurses and felt thankful she was now on the road to recovery.

“After all that my body has gone through, she said. “I feel tremendously grateful that we have our gorgeous daughter. She feels like our family’s miracle. I’m aware of millions of women struggling with a similar story.

“There’s stigma around this awful disease. I’m sharing my story for anyone who reads this and is quietly dealing with pain and no answers. Let this be your validation that your pain is real and you deserve help. Keep searching for answers.”

If you are struggling with painful periods, heavy bleeding during menstruation, nausea, feeling faint, or any other symptoms, get in touch with your doctor for help and contact any of the following charities for support, the Endometriosis Foundation,  Endometriosis UK or the Endometriosis Foundation of America.

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