The 27-year-old has opened up about her brutal health battle and the ‘deep insecurity’ she faced.
Bindi Irwin has opened up about the intense struggles she’s faced over the last decade from endometriosis.
The 27-year-old said over the last three years she’s had dozens of endometriosis lesions removed from her body and has felt “indescribable, inescapable pain”.
One in seven Australian women has the condition, which causes cells similar to the lining of the uterus to grow outside the uterus.
Bindi said spent 10 years being undiagnosed and claimed she was told by doctors the invisible illness was just “part of being a woman”.
“In the last three years, I’ve had over 50 endometriosis lesions cut out of my body,” she said.
“A chocolate cyst that was adhering my ovary to my side was removed. An appendectomy and a hernia repair.
“I’ve felt indescribable, inescapable pain.
“As a teenager and young woman, I felt weak and deeply insecure. I was trapped in my own body.”
Endometriosis can envelop the ovaries and fallopian tubes and even affect nearby organs, including the bowel and bladder.
It can cause severe and ongoing pain, with more than 40,000 people being hospitalised for the condition in 2021 to 2022, as well as inflammation and infertility.
Bindi’s raw and honest message was posted on social media as March was endometriosis awareness month.
“To lend support, compassion and grace towards the millions who suffer. It’s up to all of us to raise awareness, not just for endometriosis but for women’s health as a whole,” she said.
“No one deserves to suffer in silence.
“If you’re in pain, my heart breaks for you. I believe you. Please find answers. And don’t give up on yourself. I know how hard that can be.”
Bindi Irwin’s fans praise her bravery
The heartfelt post was flooded with more than 15,000 comments and received over 500,000 likes from fans offering their support.
“Thank you for being an advocate and sharing your experience. It helps knowing we are not alone,” one wrote.
“Bindi thank you for telling your story. My mother suffered from this for years when I was a child. Like you she suffered fir years in silence until finally they listened and had s full hysterectomy,” added another.
“I’m glad you kept looking into things. We know our bodies and these doctors need to start listening sooner,” a third added.
Some symptoms of endometriosis can include abdominal pain, heavy periods, bleeding from the bladder or bowel, feeling bloated, tiredness, anxiety or depression related to the pain, and even infertility.
Yet there is no known cure and is often managed through treatment and surgery.
In Australia, people can get treatment for endometriosis through either the public or private system.
But they can access surgery for the condition for free through the public.
According to Endometriosis Australia, the average time to get an official diagnosis is six-and-a-half years.